Reviews

It is 1653 and the Taj Mahal is about to be revealed to the people. Years of speculation have almost immortalised the building, despite the fact that it has been hidden behind by a high wall. Humayun and Babur are two low level guards, stationed outside the wall to ensure secrecy until all is revealed at sunrise. They must not face the wall. They are not supposed to move or to speak. Their swords must be raised at all times. Disobedience will result in terrible punishment, including death by elephant.

Such are the ordeals faced by … the Guards at the Taj.

‘Some thoughts sustain you; others can kill you,’ says Bert Wilkins, in another life-and-death situation. He faced a Turkish firing squad, survived severe frostbite and a polar bear attack, and then was fearless at the Western Front where he earned the nickname ‘The Mad Photographer’ – from the Germans – all before he was thirty years old.

This show is billed as a musical adaptation and lives up to much of the promise of infusing the play with raw performances of popular contemporary tunes. The songs are well selected and performed with gusto and enthusiasm. The instruments employed are simple but effective although much of the music relies heavily on the vocals and choral work. The playfulness of the music as a way of telling the story is one the strengths of the show.

From the creative geniuses of hit shows Blanc de Blanc, Fear and Delight and LIMBO, their newest brainchild has been unleashed, The Purple Rabbit - an hour-long roller coaster ride of acrobatics, comedy, magic, and so much more.

Entering ready for the show, we were greeted by a bright neon ‘The Purple Rabbit’ sign, with club tunes playing in the background. It felt like we were about to rave like it was 1999 and with an ominous show title, we were eager to see what we were in for.