There are 11 tracks - a song each. The songs are strung around the story
of Struwwelpeter by Heinrich Hoffmann (1844). Shrill worn out comedy soprano
effect and then in arch comedy BBC ‘auntie’ singing, shrieking,
whispering and shouting in shrill pantomime style all resonating in a reverberant
acoustic. The voice is recorded distantly or very close. This unaccountable
‘event’ is inventively done with much odd effect wrung from very
few instruments including the accordion, double bass, cello, violin, trombone,
banjo, clarinet and side-drum. Styles of music vary from Rocky Horror Show,
cliché-ed East-End pub singalong (Chas and Dave), music hall, Austrian
lederhosen band, vaudeville, light entertainment, Gypsy band and the Goons.
The words (English and German) are fully set out in the fold-out leaflet.
However in terms of musical joy there is little to be harvested. It may well
mean more to those who have seen the production by West Yorkshire Playhouse
and Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith. Star marking for being unusual but not funny,
not noticeably satirical, not rewardingly musical. You may find more in it.
It may be my loss that I found it scant entertainment.
Reviewer
Rob Barnett
The Tiger
Lilies
