Skottes Musikteater's Don Quixote ***

Don Quixote is widely regarded as a masterpiece of European literature. Its influence is wide and words such as “quixotic” and “lothario” have entered the modern lexicon, while the phrase “tilting at windmills” remains a familiar expression. Countless adaptations have appeared over the years and at the 25^th international Prague Fringe, Skottes Musikteater presents its own distinctive interpretation.

A brief plot summary: Alonso Quixano begins to lose his grip on reality after immersing himself in too many chivalric romances. Adopting the moniker Don Quixote and accompanied by his squire Sancho Panza, he sets out as a knight-errant to revive chivalry in La Mancha. His noble intentions, however, are undermined by his delusions, often with disastrous consequences.

Hailing from Sweden, the company is rooted in musical theatre and this production, created by Hans Kellerman, imaginatively and ambitiously blends puppetry, music, song, storytelling and comedy.

The musical ability of Mats Jadin and Ove Andersson is a constant delight and they harmonise beautifully, the overture setting the tone for the performance. Their comic timing was frequently adept, a highlight perhaps being transitions between night and day.

Their creativity in puppetry is exceptional. The set is a work of art in itself, a series of stages and mini stages revealed, often using intricately designed pulleys. There are horses constructed of Meccano-style components, wheels and wooden sticks, chaotic battle scenes and a swathe of colourful      characters.

This is an utterly charming and entertaining show. The duo are natural storytellers, the epic nature of Don Quixote affording them space to demonstrate this. Yet it is here that this production falls flat, as the ensemble notably and frequently struggled for their lines. Much allowance is made, of course, for performances in a second language at an international festival. When these issues are ironed out, as doubtlessly they will be, there is potentially an award-winning production waiting to emerge.

The final word should belong to Don Quixote himself: “Maddest of all: to see life as it is, and not as it should be.”