One of our talented Young Critics, Cerys McGrath, recently reviewed Ruby's Worry, a musical adventure for kids based on the bestselling book by Tom Percival.
Young Critics are an imaginative collective of students that value collaboration and innovation. Together, they review and help shape future theatre programming.
MishMash Productions transforms Tom Percival’s children’s book Ruby’s Worry into a vibrant stage show full of buoyant classical music and a menagerie of props, opening doors for important conversations and classical music access.
Before the show has even begun, a solo violinist walks up and down the aisles playing lively music to audience members taking their seats. This sets the scene for the total integration of music into Ruby’s Worry, where a string quartet narrate, puppet and perform Ruby learning to overcome her first ever worry.
Classical music is at the heart of this feel-good story. As a key part of the set and storyline, performers’ violins are hung up on the walls of Ruby’s house, while cajón drums form the chalkboards of her school. One of my favourite moments was when Ruby and her puppet friend, sat on the cajóns, beat out rhythms with their tiny feet and highlight the blurring of boundaries between music and story.
As someone who plays the violin myself, I recognised the genuine virtuosity of the frantic, worried passages which reflect Ruby’s anxiety. There was a real buzz in the audience, particularly during the folk-like pieces bracketing the performance and the communal clapping at the end. The performers had the confidence to let the music speak for itself rather than overly relying on narration. And, in this way, MishMash Productions offer classical music which is both accessible and a burst of the real deal – young audience members are sure to love the magical, musical world which they create.
The other important feature of Ruby’s Worry is how it gently opens up conversations around anxiety for children. This is a beautiful adaptation of Tom Percival’s book and the vibrant yellow worry in an otherwise muted colour palate translates strongly onto the stage. Visually, it’s incredibly effective watching Ruby’s worry growing in size from a piece of string, to a ball, to a balloon.
There is a real warmth in the performers’ approach to anxiety. One shining moment was when the musicians slowly turned their backs to the audience, revealing fluffy yellow ‘worry’ jackets and delighting children in the audience. Ruby shares her feelings with a child puppet who carries his own worry balloon, and this touching scene will help give children the vocabulary to express themselves in a topic that is often brushed to one side.
The brilliant props equally deserve a mention, with fantastical dragons and giant ladybugs adding magic to the realism of the set; the polished production reflects the neatness of its classical music.
Ruby’s Worry is an important show that both children and parents are guaranteed to enjoy – there are light moments for adults like Ruby picking up a copy of Tolstoy’s War and Peace. Parents can equally read Tom Percival’s book alongside the show, making Ruby’s Worry an engaging opportunity to discuss worries with your child.
However, for me, the star of the show was its dynamic classical music. Alongside bigger venues, MishMash Productions are also touring in schools and workshops to provide music access to a range of children: the accessibility and warmth of their pedagogical ethos is at the core of this wonderful production.
