Review: The Sorcerer's Apprentice, at the Southwark Playhouse

Source: stream.theatre

When you think of The Sorcerer's Apprentice, I'm sure the majority of you will think of the most famous segment of Fantasia - Mickey Mouse controlling a few brooms to get him out of work and then realising he was seriously out of his depth, all to the tune of the piece of programmatic (bringing my A Level Music terms in here people) classical music by Dukas. (Fun fact: Walt Disney's initial idea for Fantasia was this segment, as a way to bring Mickey Mouse back into the public eye)

Or maybe perhaps it is the same thing as if you type "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" into Google, which is that random Nicholas Cage film.... To each their own 

Now the British writing team of Richard Hough and Ben Morales-Frost have done their own twist on the Johann Wolfgang van Goethe poem all these were based off into a musical version, which is currently streaming from the Southwark Playhouse. 

Set in Midguard, a town far to the North, at the end of the industrial revolution, we meet a magician named Johan and his teenage daughter Eva. In this world, magic comes from the energy from the Northern Lights; but due to Lyddeker industries, the Aurora is fading, and everyone in the town is soon to pay a terrible price... 

Source: Southwark Playhouse (@swkplay) • Instagram photos and videos

The story has two plot points running as its centre. The first is (let's not beat about the bush), the environmental message of what happens when we delpeat all our natural resources; think of the Aurora as an allegory of the ozone layer if you will - so stop with the aerosols people! .... Oops, sorry where was I... 

Oh yes; the second point is the relationship between Johann and Eva. She's a rebellious free-spirit and wants her father to teach her all about magic so she can take down Lyndekker, whereas he's afraid to let go of his past and doesn't want her hurt due to the cost that knowing magic has given him. 

These moments between the two of them are the strongest plot-wise in my opinion, mainly due to the performances given by Olivier winner David Thaxton and newcomer Mary Moore. You warm to Thaxton and his Northern accent immediately and Moore is incredibly promising to me. One to watch perhaps? 

The other strength comes from its simplicity. It doesn't try and throw the kitchen sink in there (except maybe the EvaXErik chemistry, it does feel a bit forced), and it doesn't need to. In fact, this is why I think this is an excellent choice for families - not what I was expecting to be honest. 

It's whimsical and charming; it's songs are a similar style to Amelie or The Wind in the Willows, and its magic effects are enough for the viewer to use their imagination a little bit; with glowing string for the Aurora and a few more tricks of light here and there whenever Johan or Eva perform some spells. They may not be awe-inspiring and gravity-defying like Mary Poppins effects, but again, they don't need to be. 

Source: Southwark Playhouse (@swkplay) • Instagram photos and videos

The main exception though is the broom scene, especially when the brooms fuse to make a monster that will remind you of The Face of Boe from Dr Who. You know me well enough to know I do love a bit of puppetry here and there so no surprise I loved all of those scenes. Plus during the whole broom scene, you can hear little motifs taken from Dukas' classic piece in the score at that point; I love little touches like that. 

The Sorcerer's Apprentice is one I would definitely recommend to watch, especially if you're looking for a little bit of light magical relief while waiting for this lockdown to (finally) be over. 

You can get your tickets here: stream.theatre, as well as their free digital programme. 

Fingers crossed that we are able to see this live in person, and so we are able to support this new British work - and because it's enjoyable for the whole family.