one4review | On 22, Aug 2016

Captain Flinn and the Dinosaur Pirates 2 – The Magic Cutlass

Les Petits have returned to Edinburgh with this sequel to their much lauded Captain Flinn and the Pirate Dinosaurs based on the book by Giles Andreae and Russell Ayto.

In the middle of his school play Flinn’s friends are kidnapped by Mr T the T-Rex. Flinn goes off in pursuit and is captured by the dinosaur pirates and forced to find the Magic Cutlass: a sword that grants any wish. The adventure that follows is high energy and full of chases, jokes, great props, shadowplay – even an underwater disco.

The pace makes it quite exhausting to follow (and must be even more exhausting for the four actors who play all the myriad parts). The younger children in the audience seemed to struggle to keep up with the changes although that didn’t seem to diminish their enjoyment.

The thing that sets this show apart from most other childrens shows in Edinburgh this year is its extremely high production values. The costume, set and puppets are all first rate with a broad range of interesting staging and lighting. The sound design was excellent and the show even had songs that the children remembered long after leaving the theatre.

Recommended but probably best for ages 5 and up.

By Karen

Captain Flinn and the Dinosaur Pirates
Pleasance Courtyard 10.30 daily