Napoleon: A Defence

Energetic Exeter troupe Le Navet Bete have created an excellent little panto with this Napoleonic romp, ticking off all the boxes to keep families entertained. Corny French accents? Bearded women? Audience participation? Oui, oui et oui. The quartet play fast and loose with history, with just enough flashes of fact for the schoolkids and scattered nudges and winks for the adults. What elevates the show is the lads’ ability to keep an eye on the children’s reactions, playing up to them with stage whispers, ad libs and grins. The kids’ giggled throughout, making this a perfect family Fringe show.

The Warren, 5 May 2012
Rating:
Stuart Huggett