In a Deep Dark Forest

Arrive at the Arts Centre just before 10 AM over the next couple of weeks and you will find the place to be a hive of activity swarming with children.  Hopefully these youngsters will compromise some of the audiences of tomorrow.  And if most of the works on offer are of the caliber of In a Deep Dark Forest I am sure this will be the case.

In a Deep Dark Forest is highly interactive and in a fun way.  It requires its audience to be purposefully adventurous.  Performer Adam McCovell unites the group of children from six years of age up and their parents/guardians just near the big white doors of the a rehearsal room at the State Theatre.  He teaches us a magic spell that we are required to do in unison and then the doors open mysteriously to reveal the deep very dark forest.  We have all been issued with a torch thankfully, as we are required to move amongst the trees till we all find a safe space to stop as a group.

Adam McCovell, a consummate storyteller, talks to us about Trolls and how dangerous they are and we quake in our shoes and sandals.  It is a bit scary – specially if you are an imaginative kid.

We are required to play a fun game of elimination, follow animal tracks, decipher a code of sorts and then to defeat the very nasty and threatening Troll who will turn us into stone if she catches sight of us in a shaft of light.

It is the sound scape (Robert D Jordon) that really establishes atmosphere and enhances the whole experience.  As one would expect the quality of the sound is stunning and it is loud and truly atmospheric and at times invokes a very dark atmosphere. 

Amongst the group I was with the whole exercise seemed a little daunting for some of the children so adult assistance was required at times. As McCovell is careful to keep things moving at a good pace there is little time for small niceties so the group is inspired to take the exercise as seriously as required which keeps participants focused, challenged and on task.  Once the group has achieved its tasks then there is a lovely sense of team that comes from having shared a challenging group experience.

I am so glad to have been able to participate in this inspirational, stimulating and most memorable activity.

This excellent holiday activity/performance is fully booked out but hopefully it will have another incarnation soon or return due to popular demand.

Suzanne Sandow

Credits

Writer & Original Director – Roslyn Oades

Performer – Adam McConvell

Associate Director – Brenna Macnish

Audio & composition – Robert D Jordan

Design & lighting – Rainbow Sweeny

Script Consultant – Jacob Williams

Games Mentor – Myfanwy Jones

Producer – Simon Bedford

Production Manager – Bec Etchell

Administrative Support – Auspicious Arts Projects Inc