‘I’d give it 10 out of 10,” says my son, Jamie. So there you go, review done. Although in my experience, if you ask a young child for a score, nine times out of 10 they say 10 out of 10. It is good though, this latest show for children from Punchdrunk Enrichment.
For those who knowthe work of immersive theatre juggernaut Punchdrunk, the offerings of its sister company – specialising in family theatre – have much of the same appeal. The attention to detail of the sets is sheer delight. Here it’s a shop full of curiosities, that we’re told belonged to our protagonist Enitan’s late grandfather. The shelves are stacked with sepia-tinged bric-a-brac, ancient relics like a rotary dial telephone, which the children are encouraged to explore and touch. “It’s a compass! A magnifying glass!”
Unlike the elusive narratives of some of Punchdrunk’s adult offerings, the show has a clear story. Enitan is supposed to be organising a Nine Night celebration of her grandfather’s life, but gets caught up playing an elaborate game he made especially for her, which turns into a kind of scavenger hunt with some cryptic riddles. We have to help her, and the kids are soon chasing after clues in a game that expands in sometimes unexpected directions. It works for the kids who want to be more involved, and those who want to hang back.
Enitan’s Game lightly touches on a whole range of themes: Enitan and her grandfather’s migration stories (there’s the button from his first coat in an England he found so cold); the bonds between generations; memory, grief and community; nervousness about doing new things. Perhaps older kids would absorb more of this (recommended age is six-11), while the younger ones were most involved in the game, and the spooky bits of unexpected stage magic. “I liked it when the game pieces moved by themselves!” says Jamie, recalling his highlights. There are moments of wonder as we go – always in danger of being punctured by a matter-of-fact comment from a smart kid – and even if the final reveal doesn’t have quite the impact it wants to, telling us its conclusion more than just experiencing it, there’s invention, charm and a warm heart in this imaginatively engaging show.
• Enitan’s Game is at Punchdrunk Enrichment Stores, London, until 1 September.
