Wise Children
The Old Vic, London

ANGELA CARTER’S last novel Wise Children, a blend of magic realism and carnivalesque, sprawls across much of the 20th century as it follows the bizarre theatrical family fortunes of the Chance twins from the perspective of their 75th birthday.

Unacknowledged by their father, a renowned Shakespearean actor-manager, the twin girls are brought up on the wrong side of the tracks in a Brixton theatrical boarding house run by Grandma Chance.

Forced to make their own way, they become chorus girls before weaving a successful career through the latter years of music hall and variety theatre as a song-and-dance duo.

It's a love letter to theatre and one that director Emma Rice has wanted to bring to the stage for over a decade since her brilliant treatment of Carter’s Nights at the Circus with Kneehigh and much of her adaptation, the inaugural production of her new company — also named Wise Children — is true to the original.

It creates a fantastical, low-brow theatrical world which is full of life and colour, although some elements of Carter's narrative, such as the episode in Hollywood, have had to be sacrificed. The costumes and the set, open to the wings, are reminiscent of a Pollock toy theatre and actors’ quarters, upon which the performers and band become both chorus and acts in the twins’ lives.

The diverse skills of the new company are very much on show as Rice incorporates popular songs, dance routines, puppets and comic acts into a variety-style performance that matches the nature of the narrative.

While the second half loses some of its structure in trying to tie up all the loose ends and complete the circle, this should not detract from what is a joyous and earthy retelling of Carter’s unique novel.

This show is a welcome return for Emma Rice’s dynamic and visual style of theatre and a striking launch for her new company.

Runs until November 10, box office: oldvictheatre.com