Last night we ‘opened the bloody door’ of York Theatre Royal, and attended Blue Beard by Wise Children. Not knowing what to expect, we weren’t quite prepared for the powerful and emotive performance that followed…

I won’t give much away in terms of plot, but the story is a heady mix of betrayal, grief and dark humour. Don’t let the word children in the company ‘Wise Children’ mislead you…this is no family show. Expect explicit language, violence, sexual themes, blood and raw emotion. The age guidance is 14+

The entire cast are absolutely first-rate – strong performers, musicians and vocalists. This is truly an ensemble piece but I would like to mention Katy Owen as Mother Superior, and how well she switches between a darkly comedic role to an outpouring of raw unfiltered emotion. A stunning performance throughout.

As a magician, I was intrigued by the portrayal of Blue Beard as a man of magic. More Greatest Showman than Paul Daniels, he searches for his next assistant and wins over the unsuspecting females with his intoxicating charm. This flamboyant conjuror cuts a sharp image in his burgundy suit, and Tristan Sturrock relishes each moment of the role. Every single performer is given plenty of time to shine, and they all shine brightly.

Blue Beard is a feminist piece of theatre that explores various themes such as a grief, and every woman’s story of feeling unsafe at one time or another. My wife said she felt a real camaraderie as the cast shared their stories, their fears and their strength – and that this was a wholly unifying experience. As a male audience member, I didn’t feel as though the production was villainising men but rather highlighting the fact these things, sadly, do happen and that many woman feel like they don’t have a voice or the courage to speak up.

Technically the show is a triumph, everything is slick, polished and well choreographed. The sound is rich, and the talented actor-musicians add a real depth. All kinds of instruments feature from live piano, harp, bass and acoustic guitar. Unlike some productions, the sound is crystal clear and the levels well balanced.

Every aspect of this production is meticulously planned. The set is simple but effective, and has a flavour of vaudevillian theatre. Trunks and magician’s cases transform into wardrobes, and even a well-stocked refrigerator. The lighting design is sensational too, casting shadows and silhouettes or helping to conjure a vibrant cabaret atmosphere.

The costumes range from plain clothes and unassuming coven habits to a brilliantly designed Pierrot clown. When the nun’s habits are later removed, we see plain jeans and t-shirts…as if these people could be anyone. And that, I think, is entirely the point.

Emma Rice’s company innovates both on and offstage. I was pleasantly surprised to see the usual paper programme replaced with a QR code to scan, and that the entire backstage crew shared the bows with the cast at the end. The musical adaptation works well, and the songs range from catchy to poignant and heartbreaking.

We both left feeling a little shell-shocked, blown away by the powerful nature of the piece and the incredible storytelling and performances throughout. Despite challenging topics, love is an overriding theme too – whether the love of two sisters, mother and daughter, brother and sister or man and wife.

What really struck me was how deathly silent the entire audience was during some of the most evocative moments. Not a single cough, shuffle or murmur. This is the power of great theatre, and Wise Children had us hanging on every word. Breathtaking.

MAGIC RATING

VALUE FOR MONEY

OVERALL

Blue Beard runs at York Theatre Royal until Saturday 9th March 2024. Book at www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk/show/blue-beard/

Disclaimer: Tickets were kindly provided for this performance, however all opinions are honest and are our own.