If I were in charge of marketing for Pekku, I would describe it as an enlightening psychological comedy thriller for children. If the name weren’t already copyrighted, I would also suggest changing it to ‘The Birds.’
Now, I admit that might put some tender hearts off, but I would hope for an influx of adventurously minded families who like a bit of pep in their kids shows.
A dialogue-free piece of physical theatre, producers Red Bridge Arts introduce us to our hero – played by Creator and performer, Andy Manley – during a gale. Draped in an extravagant green cape he struggles bravely with the breeze until touching down, only to reveal his cape is in fact, his self-erecting tent.
He promptly lays his campsite like a gravid chicken, first a suitcase, then a chair, before slipping out of his tent, and revealing his many-pocketed outdoors-wear. Emphasising every action, he grunts with satisfaction when things go well, or utters an admiring ‘Ooh ‘ when taking in the view. So far, so cute.
Of course, that’s when he spots his first bird (a yellow clothes peg), sitting high on a wire, directly above his ideal reading spot. Happy – at first – to catch a few snaps of his new friend (he loves to take a pic!), he soon grows irritated by the constant tweeting.
“If I were in charge of marketing for Pekku, I would describe it as an enlightening psychological comedy thriller for children. If the name weren’t already copyrighted, I would also suggest changing it to ‘The Birds.’“
An escalating battle of wills ensues as his progressively more extreme efforts to ‘Shoo!’ the gathering interlopers clash with their determination to eat all of his crisps. It’s a simple tale of psychological warfare told well, as Manley is driven to the edge of reason by a gathering storm of tweeting menaces (other clothes pegs). It’s also a delightfully funny, unthreatening caper.
Whether he’s shooing one bird off the stage (attached to a pulley, this is a strictly one-person production), only to pull another one on, or yeeting them into the air with a tormented ‘Shoo!’, it’ll make audiences of any age laugh. The escalation of the man/bird battle goes places you won’t expect, but you’ll be delighted to visit.
The ingenious use of objects aside, it feels a little like a camping trip done by Morcambe & Wise – which I consider high praise indeed for Manley’s creative conspirators: Ian Cameron and Shona Reppe.
After the ‘shooing’ is over, however, Pekku asks what happens when the world falls silent; what happens when you get the isolation you wanted?
You could take Pekku as a naturalist fable of which Rachel Carson would have surely approved. Or maybe you’ll see a lesson on the rewards of tolerance and the celebration of diversity over isolation. Without words to confine its message, these messages & more are freely available to micro-munchkins and their keepers alike.
It’s just good to know that Man and Peg can live together in harmony.
Show details
Venue: Venue 82: ZOO Southside, 117 Nicolson Street, EH8 9ER (Google Maps)
Date(s): Fri 01 Aug to Sat 09 Aug (9 shows)
Time(s): 11:00am (45 mins)
Age recommendation: 3+
Price: From £10 (concessions available)
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