The Grinning Man: A wonderfully dark-humored performance!- By Dominic Jones from Debden Park High School
One thing I've learned is to never judge books by covers. Honestly, when mum first told me about this show i was confused: "a show about a man who always smiled? This sounds like the Joker's backstory!" i thought and/or said aloud on the tube (admitting how silly that sounded aloud). When we got there, however, the show gave me a big smile as permanent as the one on the main character.
free from big spoilers, 'The Grinning Man' is about a young boy who had his mouth slashed as a child, leaving him with what seemed like a permanent grin on his face, and how he grows up in Lon-Don (not to be confused with London) looking for the one who disfigures him. On it's own the ideas and the adventures inside the show are enough to amaze me, with macabre atmospheres and visuals, as well as very well-done puppetry that breathes life into the scenes. All characters are played marvellously, with a nice little surprise when i saw Julian Bleach, whom i had previously seen in 'Saint George and the Dragon' in the national theatre (another eye-opener as well) a few months back, now back again to play a sinister yet somehow comedic villain.
However if you were simply expecting a tale of dark life and sub-plots twistier than a wet towel in the hands of a troublemaker in a shower block, then you'd be sorely mistaken, as it is a musical as well full of smile-magnetising tunes that will have you almost eyes-closed as it symbolises whatever hope of happiness the characters may have.
In conclusion, I enjoyed this show, however my only criticism would be that it would cut into song where it would not be necessary. A 7/10, in my opinion: a sweet twist to the stories of the ugly duckling.
