Alvin Sputnik: Deep Sea Explorer – Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds

Writer/Performer: Tim Watts

Reviewer: Flip Miller

The Public Reviews Rating:

The Earth is in danger, the ice caps are melting, and the houses are becoming engulfed with the rising flood waters. Earth HQ needs a hero to go to the bottom of the sea and save humanity. Alvin Sputnik is that unlikely hero.

Grieving following the loss if his wife, whose life force he believes has travelled to the bottom of the sea, he volunteers for this very dangerous mission so that he can be re-united with his soul mate.

The show is an intriguing mix of film-making and puppetry interspersed with excellent music. The two styles merge seamlessly. Most of the action takes places on a round screen that dominates the stage. The artwork is very well done and the animation is superb.

The puppetry is charming as well. Although puppet Alvin is made up of a polystyrene ball with a light for a head, and a latex-gloved hand for the body, it works. The way in which he is moved you can really believe he’s underwater. This is then mimicked onscreen when he transfers from puppetry to the screen.

Although the story is mainly about Alvin and his intrepid adventures as a deep sea explorer, it is also a very sweet love story. Throughout the story Alvin can be seen chasing after Helene’s light, plaintively crying “Helene”. Like all good love stories the lovers are once again re-united – but at what cost?

It is certainly an eclectic piece of theatre. It doesn’t break any boundaries but it does provide an enjoyable evening of entertainment for all the family.