With nothing more than a stark stage and the irresistible strains of the accordion playing a carousel version of Ode to Joy, Bulgarian actor and puppeteer Georgi Spassov takes the stage. Instantly charming, Spassov speaks directly to his audience with a bumbling professionalism worthy of Tati. He is a true clown, using idiocy and innocence to mask supreme talent.
Have wheel will travel; this Actor is always on the road peddling his own version of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic tale, The Princess and the Pea. He does this with few more props than a wheel, a tyre, and some inner tyres that he uses in a magical and thoroughly inventive way. There are shades of Flann O’ Brien’s The Third Policeman in the humanising of these bicycle parts, always an endearing feature in this reviewer’s book.
I could list the worlds he creates with his simple props and mime that demonstrate he has not lost the gift of play, but it would spoil the joy, surprise and amazement. However, harp, hearts, carousel, and casbah are but a few to tempt. There is of course the pathos of the Travelling Actor’s own dream of love, his seeking of his own Princess.
This highly qualified and experienced performer conducts the show, a conveyor belt of invention, in English, which is not his first language yet it was spoken confidently and fluently, along with nods to other world tongues that included the odd diplomatic “och aye”.
I spent virtually an hour of grinning through this show and salute this highly comic and charming actor who deserves a full house. It is indeed an ode to joy.
Show Times: 5-6, 8-13, 15-20, 22-27, 29 August, 11:15 am
Ticket Prices: £8 (£28 Family)