Reviewed by Miryam Gordon
Reveiw: Pharoah Serket and the Lost Stone of Fire
By John Olive and Directed by Kurt Beattie.
Seattle Children’s Theatre Through March 7.
Pharoah Serket and the Lost Stone of Fire is a world premiere play by John Olive, being presented, currently, at Seattle Children’s Theatre. It’s recommended for ages 8 and up, although many kids are far less easily scared these days, at younger ages. The technical effects of this show are definitely up to snuff as far as startle-moments, which makes the production great fun. The versatile set of massive Egyptian style walls and columns (by Jennifer Lupton) is creatively inventive with hidden doors and prop hiding places to make quick scene changes. Ominous music and crowd and other atmospheric noises (by Chris R. Walker) contribute to the feeling of powerful mystery.
All this combines for a fun adventure of a young Pharoah who finds both a lost power-stone and his own personal power through the journey. Dangerous events surround him, as the play begins with the Pharoah dangerously ill and close to dying. He is beset by other dangers, that if described would ruin surprises, so they won’t be described, but they are threatening! The script is sound, laying a path through the adventure and allowing for a surprise ending, also.
The show is highly recommended for families, even with the following less fulsome comments. Trick Danneker, as the young Pharoah, a rising young star in the local acting community, is more peevish and whiny than questing for his grownup identity. Also, while the music during scene changes works very well, there are sometimes actors making strange gestures that are supposed to maybe tell more story, but actually are completely unintelligible, and mostly meaningless.
However, Hana Lass, as a scary Child of the desert, who can control people with a special “voice” and has knowledge of herbal medicines, gives a wonderful quality to her role, helping create a lot of the believability in the adventure. MJ Sieber is clearly the second banana inserted for laughs and slapstick and does a fantastic job with his silliness. Tim Hyland, in a couple of roles, moves easily from one to another, and adds deftly to some of the funnier moments.
The sense of learning about ancient Egypt is subtly effective and the message might be that to grow up, you need to find belief in your own abilities. Another bright addition to the star productions in SCT’s history. For more information, go to www.sct.org or call 206-441-3322.
– Miryam Gordon
