Theatre review: A Donkey And A Parrot, Gilded Balloon at Third Door (Venue 24), Edinburgh

By ANDREA MULLANEY
Published on 11/08/2012 18:29

SOMETIMES the simplest Fringe shows work best, like an engaging character telling you a nice story: it may not be revolutionary, but if it holds your attention, that can be enough. Sarah Hamilton’s story is about her ancestors, Huguenots whose account of escaping persecution in France to settle in Britain has been passed down for over 300 years.

A Donkey And A Parrot

Gilded Balloon at Third Door (Venue 24)

Star rating: * * *

Well, I suspect she’s embellished it somewhat, particularly when it comes to the talking animals. Their involvement, along with the use of finger puppets to explain the position of the Protestant minority in pre-revolutionary France, might make it seem like a children’s show. But adults too should be charmed by Hamilton’s easy rapport with the audience, as she bounds out singing happy birthday to her ancestor and regularly invites our collusion with her digressions from strict historical accuracy. Producing props from a barrel, Hamilton enacts her account of their daring escape with delightful verve. Perhaps it’s a little bit twee, and there’s no attempt to draw any wider point from the story, but it’s a very sweet way to spend an hour.

• Until 27 August. Today 2pm.