Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10
Cast: Lucy Fiori, Austin Mitchell Hewitt.
Theatre is important for the development of younger minds; it allows the child or pre-teen to be immersed into a world where they can interact and understand their emotions in a way that quite often television and film cannot convey because of the system being a one-way flow of information.
Even in simpler times, easier to understand eras that weren’t defined by a social upheaval that has curtailed the development of millions around the world, theatre provided a safe place of learning and joy for all to embrace, now we must do all we can to keep explaining emotions, sensations and reactions to those too young to be able to converse in such a way that does not lead to their minds being overwhelmed by the enormity of our world.
It takes genius to meet a child on their own level and yet still retain the humanity so that it never feels as though it is being spoken down too or being condescended, and that genius is exemplified in a filmed theatre performance of the beautifully written and performed, When Another Dragon Roars.
Written by Kevin Dyer, and acted with sincerity and immense heart by Lucy Fiori and Austin Mitchell Hewitt, this particular adaption sees the superb partnership of the two actors, gladden the heart even further as they bring a theatrical reminder to the short film world, and one that is to be prized highly as we come to grips with a new way to showcase actors and writers in a time which has altered our perception on how to engage and encourage all.
The film itself is joined by three video shorts which add further colour and illumination to When Another Dragon Roars, and in The Shadow Dragon, The Dragon’s Lair and Alfie’s Top Tips, Lucy Fiore and Austin Michael Hewitt take the lessons learned in the main production and give them a sense of life of their own; that the project is not only about a valuable life lesson, but on of imaginative adventure, makes it all the more important for parents or responsible adult to show their children this beautiful and creative show.
Positive, passionate, and principled, a film and theatre experience that fills the heart.
Ian D. Hall