Review: Fantastic Mr Fox at the Lyric, Hammersmith

A fun, musical romp with some surprising depth and social satire that'll keep both children and adults entertained equally says Jane McGowan, 4 STARS. Showing at Hammersmith's Lyric Theatre until Feb 19

Greg Barnett as Mr Fox in Roald Dahl's Fantastic Mr Fox. Photo by Manuel Harlan.jpg

Dealing with underlying themes of greed, nimby-ism, fear and conceit, this new adaptation of Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr Fox is very much a tale for our times. And although there was plenty to keep younger theatregoers amused, the similarities between Mr Fox’s situation and that of today’s society was most definitely not lost on last night’s mainly adult audience.

This latest version (a joint production by the Southampton’s Nuffield Theatre, the Lyric and Leicester’s Curve Theatre) is a musical – a collaboration between acclaimed playwright Sam Holcroft and Arthur Darvill (possibly best known as one of Doctor Who’s companions), which positively bounds along from beginning to end. The melodies, which are a little - ‘this is what musical theatre tunes should sound like’ - are pretty unremarkable, but the lyrics are much stronger and wittier offering insights into character as well as moving the story along.

We first meet the track-suited Mr Fox after yet another daringly successful raid on the premises of farmers Bunce, Boggis and Bean. But as Mr Fox laps up the compliments from his grateful and well-fed friends, above ground the farmers are joining forces in a bid to outsmart the pesky fox and put an end to him and his kind once and for all.

Greg Barnett who plays the bushy-tailed hero, is indeed fantastic throughout, deftly negotiating the line between superstar and team player, while all the while keeping the audience on his side. His energetic performance is both engaging and entertaining and overall he makes for a very likeable leading man (or fox).

Greg Barnett as Mr Fox as Richard Atwill as Rat. Photo by Manuel Harlan.jpg

The three farmers are exquisitely played by Gruffudd Glyn - a brilliantly bloodthirsty Farmer Bunce, while Raphael Bushay provides a little comic relief as the ever-hungry and rather indolent Farmer Boggis. But it has to be said that Richard Atwill steals the show with his turns as evil ringleader Farmer Bean and again as the inebriated, double-crossing Rat who is the only one who can out smart Mr Fox.

My eight-year-old daughter absolutely loved it. There is just enough danger to keep youngsters on the edge of their seats, and the humour, although not as broad as in panto, works on several levels, keeping both adults and children amused – although I wasn’t sure about Rabbit’s (Sandy Foster) predilection for another type of Rabbit, as my daughter immediately turned to me to ask why everyone was laughing. Luckily, Rabbit’s secret and my explanation were saved as the action moved on very quickly.

Tom Scutt’s stage design is terrific – the set taking you on a journey into tunnels, bunkers, fields and forests. And finally, the fabulous musicians who are on stage throughout do a sterling job at conjuring up the atmosphere, and if nothing else, they deserve a mention for wearing those outfits!

Fantastic Mr Fox is truly fantastic fun for February – catch him if you can!