At the start of The King of Broken Things, we enter into a space full of lost, discarded objects. We sit. We contemplate the items around us – well loved, full of potential. A young child arrives, fleeing bullies, and then, having pushed out their cruel, overwhelming voices, shares with us what it means to be broken, what it means to mend and what possibilities exist for us when we dream, imagine and believe.
The King of Broken Things, written and directed by Michael Taylor-Broderick, who collaborated on the (lovely) design with Bryan Hiles and Darren Peens, is a delightful story for the whole family. Creatively textured and built out, and ever inviting the audience to join in on the fun, whimsy, and heart, the show offers adults and children alike a window into a more joyous, more creative way of thinking.
Cara Roberts, our solo actor, brings to the stage a vibrant, enthusiastic energy that balances the highs and lows of someone seeing the world in its fullness, the bright spots and the difficult. The King of Broken Things is a meandering tale, not unlike the monologue that a passionate child might give when you ask the right questions. It brings up some questions and doesn’t always provide answers or resolutions – but then, such things aren’t always easy to find.
Sometimes, we just need to take what we have, broken or not, and see what we can make out of it.
Playing until 4th January 2025, https://riversidestudios.co.uk/see-and-do/the-king-of-broken-things-140703/
Reviewer: Zak Rosen
Reviewed: 18th December 2024
North West End UK Rating:
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