Words: Rosie Hall
Image: John McMahon

4 stars

James Joyce’s epic novel Ulysses, with its dense modernist prose and often raunchy subject matter, is perhaps not the most likely choice for a children’s adaptation at the Fringe. But this is the task at hand for Galway-based children’s theatre company Branar, who promise to distil all the important bits of Joyce’s book in a brisk 45 minutes. 

These important bits that Branar decide to keep in from Joyce’s momentous tome are the interweaving tales of Leopold Bloom and Stephen Daedalus as they go about their respective days in Dublin on Thursday 16th June, 1904. Side-plots, as well as lengthy philosophical and political discussions, are swiftly trimmed from the story, and the more risqué sections skipped over with a knowing smile (‘But we don’t have time for that’). Joyce’s extensive toilet humour, to the delight of the young audience, is kept in.

Using three beautifully illustrated watercolour pop-up books and a cast of charming paper cut-out performers, our storyteller Helen Gregg whisks the audience away in a delightfully engaging show.  The pop-up books, created by artist Maeve Clancy, are a real joy, and the turning of pages and lifting of flaps conjure genuine ‘ooh’s and ‘aah’s from parents and children alike. However, the scenes are a little small and fiddly, meaning the audience sat at the very sides and at the back must crane slightly to see the action. 

The use of an immersive soundscape, including anchoring the arrival of swaggering Blazes Boylan with a funky twirl of electric guitar, is a clever way of making the wild dance of characters and places more distinct and accessible for children. Lovely touches come in the form of real, yet slightly edited quotes from the book itself, the shimmering phraseology of Ulysses instantly recognisable. A charming show which doesn’t compromise on the sparkling spirit of Joyce’s original work. 

You’ll See
Pleasance Courtyard, The Green
12:00
30th Jul – 24th Aug