Crystal's Vardo, Pavilion Theatre, Brighton, June 28 - Review

From the Argus

From the moment Kavanagh-Rose Rattigan stepped onstage as the sassy, cocky 11-year-old Crystal, it was clear the recent Varndean College graduate has a long career ahead of her. Despite the fact she's obviously a lot older than 11, she brought a vibrant, youthful energy to the role, so much so that when she introduced her (invisible) pony, several children craned to get a closer look.

Crystal's Vardo was a production presented by the Friends, Families And Travellers’ Organisation, whose aim is to prevent racism and discrimination against Travellers, and the play was a concise history of gypsy life and the many injustices suffered by them. Despite the gravity of the themes there was a great deal of sympathetic humour in the script, and Crystal’s boisterous character kept the mood light. Historically accurate, detailed, well-researched and not too long to lose the interest of the children, the resultant production was educational yet thoughtful.

Narrated by Crystal as she time-travelled in her vardo (a Romany wagon) with her trusted pony Tatcho, the play skipped through the centuries to an idealised future in which the discrimination finally ends. Cara Fraser and Neil Thomas played a multitude of supporting roles, complete with costume changes, masks, wigs and accents. Thomas’s turn as an Irish tinker was particularly good, and he made a brilliant Nazi officer, with sharp delivery and natural comic timing.

Though clearly moralistic with a strong message, the play remained humorous and warm, ending with emotional appreciation. The more children get to see plays like this, the greater the chance that unfairness towards Travellers and Gypsies will come to an end.