|  | We live in a global village. A few hours on a plane and you can be on the other side of the world.
Travel broadens the mind, but thoughts of home can be triggered by a sound, a smell, or a piece of music.
The Drum Theatre was full to capacity for the newest work from this Exeter based company.
Taking true stories as a starting point, writer Daniel Jamieson has created a play where multi-racial characters bond with each other in far flung places sharing their past memories of home and family.
The cast of three take us to Australia, India and Turkey with the help of hats and wigs, puppets and song, and a simple but extremely versatile stage set by designer Stuart Nunn.
Like a raised wooden bridge it gives the players scope to enter from a variety of angles, to be high above the audience or to sit level and face to face with the front row… and thankfully it didn’t creek or wobble!
 | | Jordan Whyte and Taylan Halici in a scene from Close to Home. |
Although there are only three players on stage the lighting and sound designers deserve credit as their works totally enlivens the performance.
Music also has a key role with Helen Chadwicks haunting melodies performed effortlessly by Jordan Whyte. Whether the recollections are about the death of a family member, the insecurities felt in childhood, or the joy of birdsong or a view of the ocean, the tales trigger memories in all of us. For me it was returning home from school and the smell of the house when mum had been ironing all afternoon.
For you it might be the smell of a certain food, as it was for Neil (Azeem Nathoo), who fondly remembers fish fingers for tea at the orphanage when he was young. Close to Home will only enhance the reputation of Theatre Alibi. With excellent performances, this a great piece of family entertainment suitable for all ages.
The youngest will love the puppetry and the more mature will identify with the longing for lost family members, and the potency of a haunting melody.
| DATE: | Wed 30th March - Sat 2nd April 2005 | | EVENT: | Close to Home | | VENUE: | Drum Theatre, Plymouth | | TIME: | 7.45pm | | TICKETS: | £10 | | BOX OFFICE: | 01752 267222 |
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The puppetry worked very well in illustrating the childhood memories. Charles from Bristol 
