Bambert’s Book of Lost Stories

Barking Gecko Theatre Company’s presentation of Bambert’s Book of Lost Stories is magical, and so fittingly adapted for the stage by Dan Giovannoni and Luke Kerridge.  The production brings to life the exquisite illustrations of Reinhardt Jung’s book, the characters in the story are validated and the audience can step into a world of fantasy, into a time when storytelling and imagination were fundamental above everything else.

Sitting in a full theatre with an audience of 50/50 adults and children I believe we were all enchanted and lost in the fiction. Everything is so beautifully crafted with care and precision and the intimacy of the stage has the ability and success of drawing the audience into the attic of Bambert’s home, feeling the isolation and troubled thoughts of this reclusive character.

The delightful story written by German born Reinhardt Jung is about a dwarf-like man who found solace in writing. Alone in his home he decides to send 11 stories out into the world, by attaching them to balloons and hopes that they travel to far away places, the 11^th one is blank.  

The stories gradually return with postmarks from all around the world.  As each one returns a short vignette is played out by the five actors, telling each short story with all the magic and wonder that is theatre; the costumes, the special effects, the sounds, stage design and superb acting.  The main feature is the exquisite puppetry, when done so well, it’s charming.  I am always amazed how puppetry can have me laughing and crying it’s a truly beautiful art form.  Sadly the 11^th story doesn’t make it past the rooftop and eventually seals Bambert’s fate.

Bambert’s Book of Lost Storiesbrings joy and amazement, laughter and in parts it’s sad and a little frightening.  I could here innocent giggles from the small children and their whispers to parents that ‘this is scary’.  But it captured the audience right through, it isn’t easy to hold the attention of children in the early evening for over an hour, but it seemed that all were mesmerized and without distraction.

This is a story about kindness and hope and a celebration of the importance of storytelling that should never be lost.  Deservedly a winner of the 2016 Helpmann Award for Best Children’s Presentation and nominated for the Best New Australian Work, this creative and extraordinary adaptation profoundly brings all the emotions of the book to life, evident in the sounds and sighs that are heard from the audience and the smiles and awestruck faces when leaving the theatre at it’s end. It won my heart I loved it. 

Lisa Romeo