THEATTE AT HOME REVIEW: The Midnight Gang ★★★★★

The Midnight Gang
Chichester Festival Theatre
Saturday 13th October - Saturday 3rd November 2018

Children are renowned for being the hardest critic to please, and even more so when one of their favourite books are to be adapted onto stage, as they may feel a sense of belonging with the character’s that they have grown with, but I have a feeling that Bryony Lavery (The Lovely Bones) has in this instance brought David Walliams’ 2016 best-selling novel, The Midnight Gang, to life in such a staggering a beautiful way that will leave those of all ages with a brand new sense of belonging and imagination.

The productions tells the story from the perspective of Tom (Cody Molko), a young boy who is put up in the children’s ward after a nasty bash to the head following a cricket game, and soon encounters The Midnight Gang; made up of George (Rafi Essex), Amber (Jasmine Sakyiama), and Robin (Felix Warren),  this group of child misfortunates who also occupy the ward sneak away every night from their beds to roam the floors and corridors of the hospital, and bring their wildest dreams to life. As a child ensemble, each performers brings so much charisma and heart to their role, and with so much material to play with, it’s a real pleasure to see the enjoyment from the younger ones, who also share such rich vocals in their range, bringing Jennifer Whyte’s innovative and catchy musical numbers to life; personal highlights were the opening number, ‘Admission Form’ sung by Matthew Cavendish as Doctor Luppers, Tom’s sweet and innocent ‘Pink Frilly Night Dress’, and then the rather poignant but uplifting ‘Big, Beautiful Life’ sung by Cerys Hill as Sally, the last remaining child patient who doesn’t get to really shine until the second act, but does so in such a sentimental way that will fill your heart with love.

Lavery’s heartracing script also caters for the older generation in the audience to, whether that’s in the form of visual gags when an eldery lady is retrieved after quite a frightful end to the previous act, or with the romantic strand held together between the rather menacing Matron (Jennie Dale) and Tom’s stern School Headmaster, Mr Thews (Tim Mahendran). On a hunt for Tom as he escapes once again to roam by himself in the second act, the chemistry is very much on the forefront for these two lovers, where Whyte lends a number which juxtapositions all the other upbeat scores to showcase what could only be described as a blend between the Pasodoble and the Argentina Tango in a song about punishment. Elsewhere, Dickon Gough also stars as the shabby but loveable unnamed Porter, who lives at the hospital after he was abandoned as a baby, and befriends all the children who have to live under the watchful eye of the Matron. Porter’s friendship with Tom is especially woven through with such clarity, and Gough brings a real embodiment to the role, who gets a rather spectacular number when describing how inventive he has been in the past in bringing patient’s dreams to life.

Simon Higlett’s detailed set and costume design should also be mentioned for bringing distinctness and realism to the piece, with some lavishing locations; when Amber’s dream is to become the first girl to get to the north pole, we are transported into this confined glass box that, thanks to James Whiteside’s lighting, heightens the imagination with sheer success. Dale Rooks has evidently directed a production which oozes with playfulness and a sense of achievement in bringing a much-loved book to life; I may not be in the age range now to read the book, but that doesn’t mean I may not buy it in the future for generations down the line.

Overall, The Midnight Gang is the perfect theatrical treat for all the family, with themes that will resonate strongly with older audiences, whilst leaving the younger minds’ to surely run rampant past their evening’s bedtime, ideally wishing to go on ‘The Greatest Adventure the World has Ever Known’, just like the collective squad that roam the halls every night over at The Lord Funt Hospital.

Streaming until Friday 29th May 2020, Click Here to watch The Midnight Gang now.