"Captain Narwhal's Pirates Vs The French Dinosaurs"

Gatepost Theatre Company.

Nottingham Royal Concert Hall Level 4 Foyer.

Ahoy ma hearties, here's something that oive never seen before and is great fun for all ages, and something that Gatepost are taking to this year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival at the start of August. Written and Directed by Christopher Collington, this is going to go down an absolute storm in Edinburgh with the wee bairns, and everyone else North of the border.

This is a cross between panto and the kind of children's shows that you see at some of the better holiday camps. It has plenty of audience participation, as well as a chance for several of the kids to take part and become a pirate themselves, but nothing is forced. Let's face it, when there's a mix of dinosaurs and pirates, children can't wait to become involved.

Captain Narwhal’s band of pirates are at it again, stealing treasure from the local town, in this case treasure from the Nottingham orphanage. Only this time, they’ve taken more than they bargained for! Just as they are about to put things right, the treasure they have stolen is then stolen from them by the nasty French pirate, Captain OuiOui and his bouncer/butler and his pet dinosaur. 

Which pirate will come up tops, Captain Narwhal and his jolly bunch, or Captain OuiOui - or is that a big NonNon!

This is a new and interactive musical piece of children's theatre allows you to help the pirates in their quest to right their wrongs whilst battling Captain Ouioui and his prehistoric crew!

Luke Grainger (Captain Narwhal), looks in his element as the beloved by his crew Captain, complete with hook.

Kate Russell (Sophie) plays the runaway who wants to be a pirate, but a pirate with a conscience.

Jordan Neary (First Mate Matey McMate Face), Kasia Cichoka (Ugly Joe), Josh Neville (One Eyed Dan), Harrison Ince (Cut Throat Jake), Jude Cliffman (Simple Simon/Parrot no.2), Lottie Lodge (Cutlass Bill/Parrot No.1), Sarah Butler (One Eyed Clive/ Pipette), Rachelle Bragg (Dave), Phoebe Owen (No Eyed Pete/Bubbles) are the band of pirates who look to be having as much fun with the extended crew (the audience), not only during the performance but before hand and I dare say afterwards as well.

Christopher Collington (Captain OuiOui) adopts a French accent that is straight from "Allo Allo", via Derby. They say never work with children, animals or dinosaurs but Chris, as he has proved on many occasions has a natural ability to go off script and ad lib at ease, and even when the whole experience for one little lad became too much, Captain OuiOui turned the tears back into laughter. 

The costumes are brilliant, and not just for our two Pirate Captains but for every one of the cast members; they are so bright and colourful and there's no mistaking that they were anything other than salty sea dogs.

There're also some great props provided b y Tilly Bedford and Jude Cliffman, especially the marvellous treasure trunk.

I also mentioned that there's singing and music in the production, which is insanely catchy - not sure if this is another feather in the pirates cap of Mr Collington, but it works so well within this story as an introduction to Narwhal and his crew, with more than just a hint of showbusiness glamour.

The Sound Operator for the show is Ian Hartley.

"Captain Narwhal's Pirates Vs The French Dinosaurs" is at the Nottingham Royal Concert Hall until Sunday 13 July only at 11am and 1pm.

If you're in  or around Edinburgh from the start of August, watch out for the flyers for this show up there and go and support the gorgeous Gatepost family at the Fringe. The venue for the show is The Studio at The Space, Niddry Street, which is part of the beautiful Royal Mile hub.