Review: ‘The pixies’ scarf’ at Exeter Phoenix for Unpacked Children’s Theatre Festival

Last week we headed along to Exeter Phoenix for The Unpacked Theatre Festival to see Soap Soup Theatre’s The Pixies’ Scarf. 

Pre-show entertainment

When we got there we were welcomed at the door and directed to a craft table where the kids could dress up, draw fairies and make their own badges while we waited to go upstairs.

Pixie Fun!

The show opened to a simple set of a multi level wooden blocks and a quilted backdrop, with material laid at the front, Enter two cheeky pixies looking out through the gaps, all glitter, garish quilted eyeshadow and bright lippy. Gloriously quirky, spunky and slapstick they pulled us into the world of the play, setting the scene for the puppetry to follow.

Puppetry

I loved the contrast of the stark black and white (very moving) shadow puppetry portraying Dickie and his Dad in the Blitz, with the soft layer-upon-layer of green and brown material that made up the rolling Moors and escape from the war.

Dickie and his Grannie pick all sorts of berries while we sing along with the pixies. Dickie gets distracted and finds a magical scarf that envelopes him and opens the door to a whole world of magic, he hears the delicious whispers of the bees and the birds and flies through the sky.

Our hero Dickie takes quite a liking to the scarf, but the Queen of the Pixies wants it back and Soap Soup theatre craft the story beautifully.

The Pixies’ Scarf is a glorious, glittery magical journey to Pixieland. Using shadow and conventional puppetry, magical music and master storytelling. Soap Soup Theatre had us craning our necks to follow Dickie’s story and giggling along with the naughty pixies.  

We really enjoyed the show and it was lovely to chat the the actors and meet the puppets afterwards.

About the Unpacked Family Theatre Festival

The UnPacked Family Theatre Festival returned for a triumphant second year. With an exciting selection of shows, summer schools and workshops. Curated by Exeter’s very own PaddleBoat Theatre Company, working in partnership with creative venues across the city – Exeter Phoenix, the RAMM, Rougemont Gardens and Exeter Library – hosting a week full of creativity and imagination. We hope that it will be back for a third year next year!

Last year we saw ‘The ugly duckling’ at the festival, read my review here.

The other week Amelie took her family to see Alf the Highwayman at Exeter’s newest venue, The Boat Shed.