Tom Thumb is the classic story of a small boy with a big personality and imagination and creativity big enough to take on any danger of the world. A fun rendition of this tale is coming to Canada Water Theatre in a one-man-show format this week. Presented by Lyngo Theatre, Cbeebies Patrick Lynch answered some questions about the show, providing insights on acting thumb-sized, honouring a traditional plot, and being solo on stage.
- Canada Water Theatre
- Saturday 24 February, 1pm and 3pm
- Suitable for 3+
- £7 / £24 Family Ticket
- Book Here
- Preview the Trailer here
1. Do you feel any pressing responsibilities for your viewers who are fans of this classic story?
“Well I always feel a responsibility to treat these stories well. Fables are like works of art, they contain within them deep truths and I feel it is my job to communicate some of these to my young audience, while making them laugh and gasp at the same time!”
“Fables are like works of art, they contain within them deep truths and I feel it is my job to communicate some of these to my young audience”
2. How do you embody magic on stage for audience of all ages?
“Our magic is embodied through the beautiful images we create using our unique staging and wonderful lighting. It is also conveyed through our amazing props that delight and surprise.”
3. Can you explain the kitchen table? Is it significant or just for scale?
“The kitchen table is very important. I do the whole show around, on top and underneath this table. It is the kitchen table where there is never anything to eat and then becomes the middle of the forest where they get lost. It is also the house of the ogre and his wife. So it is stage, set and prop!”
4. What do you think would be the best part about being thumb-sized?
“Well, as the recent film ‘downsizing’ showed us it would mean that you would become much richer because you would only need to buy a tiny house and a tiny dinner. You could also hide in small places and see and hear everything that happens in secret, which is what Tom does. On the other hand you would have to be careful about the birds because they might think you were a snack and fly off with you..”
5. This is a one man show, what are the challenges and freedoms that come with performing solo?
“The biggest challenge is not to bore people I think! They have to watch only you for 50 minutes. It’s also a challenge embodying the other characters convincingly. On the other hand if you do a good job you get all of the applause and the praise.”
“Tom doesn’t feel small, he doesn’t let anything stop him, he finds it a lot of fun working out how to do things that everyone else does, even if he is so small.”
6. How do you channel and balance playing a small character with a large personality while performing for a big audience?
“Well Tom doesn’t feel small, he doesn’t let anything stop him, in fact he finds it a lot of fun working out how to do things that everyone else does, even if he is so small. In our story he is the one who saves his brothers and brings the treasure back to Mum and Dad so they are never hungry again.
In this show the secret is how to jump from being the narrator to being Tom and to being everyone else. I really feel a lot of sympathy for Tom because I am smaller than average and often have to think of clever ways to get around in a world built for bigger people…”
7. What’s the best thing about Tom Thumb?
“It’s the sense of fun he finds in everything. He really is an optimistic person, never letting anything stop him or get him down. I have learned a lot from playing him over these past 15 years.”
” I really hope people will come along and have fun with us, it’s a beautiful uplifting show with something for everyone, from little to big.”
Don’t overlook this opportunity to see Patrick Lynch in an enchanting show sure to make any age smile!
Canada Water Theatre. Saturday 24 February, 1pm and 3pm. Suitable for 3+. £7 / £24 Book Here
The Albany, Deptford 