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‘Huck’ tells us the story of teenage Huckleberry Finn as he flees down the Mississippi river with Jim, a runaway slave on a makeshift raft. As the pair meet new people and have new adventures, they learn a valuable lesson along the way. This adaptation of Mark Twain’s ‘The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’ stays true to the essence of the original, allowing the audience to see the story at it’s best.
Graeme Dalling gave a very convincing performance as cheeky, youthful Huck. Dalling provided a certain energy that was consistent throughout, and essential for the character to be portrayed successfully. I was also impressed by the versatile performance given by Jos Vantyler, whose comical portrayals of Tom Sawyer, Buck and Harvey Wilks were all well received by the audience.
The set, although impressive, well crafted and perfect for portraying the freedom of travelling down the Mississippi, seemed to me to be out of place in scenes where the characters are supposed to be indoors. It became too obtrusive and in the way.
The use of live instrumentation on stage was effective, with the music perfectly reflecting the mood, yet remaining unnoticeable at the side of the stage, not subtracting from the action centre stage in the slightest.
‘Huck’ perfectly portrays two different quests for freedom running in parallel, it’s emotional, comical and promises to warm the cockles of your heart. As you follow the journey of Huck and Jim, it is possible that you may learn something about yourself along the way.
Lori Thurston
East Bergholt High School
12th February 2010
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