Review // The Elves And The Shoemaker / The MAC

I wasn’t familiar with the story of ‘The Elves And The Shoemaker‘ before going to catch the show at The MAC, so was delighted as the show unfolded in song, dance and even a bit of magic.

It’s the story about the kind-hearted cobbler who gets a helping hand from a party of nocturnal pixies. Expect laugh-out-loud capers and keep your eyes out for some of the fairyland’s best-known characters who just might pop up to make it Belfast’s funniest, festive family show. Suitable for all ages.

Saturday saw a full-house of kids of all ages enthralled at what was happening on the stage, and the adults with them seemed to be just as taken in.  Bringing the traditional story up to date with tales of rampant regeneration of the cityscape and it’s projected casualties seems to be a popular theme this year, whether by coincidence or design I’m not sure, but it is a good way to bring it to the public conscience.  It certainly doesn’t get in the way of the excellent performances on stage, or the direction from Paul Bosco Mc Eneaney.  The original score and songs by Garth McConaghie were a particular highlight for me, and apparently for my 4-year-old too as I woke to him singing some the next morning!  

I thought the story had a good balance between simplicity and twists to maintain interest, but not to lose the thread for the younger ones, the inclusion of some other fairy tales character cameos a stroke of ingenuity by the writers that seemed to be appreciated by the audience.

Of note also is that The MAC provides a room on the 6th floor called “The Den” where they have the show on a big TV with some games etc.  We made use of this for the second act as it’s a more relaxed area to watch the show for youngsters not fully comfortable in the confines of the theatre.  I also noticed ear defenders for use on the way in too. The MAC should be applauded for such lateral thinking as kids can unpredictable creatures at the best of times and all these little pieces really do make the difference for adults and kids alike when attending these shows.

Whilst I feel an hour and 50 mins is a bit long for a kids show, I thoroughly enjoyed it and the steps take by The MAC made for a great time for both young and old.  The show runs at The MAC until the 6th Jan 2019.