Edinburgh Fringe: Red Biscuit Theatre – The Very Well-Fed Caterpillar

Red Biscuit Theatre – The Very Well-Fed Caterpillar
Venue53
theSpace @ Surgeons Hall – Theatre 2
Aug 12-17, 19-24
Recommended age: 14+
Cast: Theo Moore / Craig Unadkat / Nathan Charles / Ted Vaudrey / Murray Burgess

by Bernie C Byrnes

A young and lonely caterpillar, whose eating habits have ballooned him to an impossible size, struggles to turn into a butterfly. Whilst all his fellow classmates undergo metamorphosis and sprout their perfect wings, for our insect a cocoon that fits cannot be found. Without the chance to evolve, he continues to grow, overthrows a kingdom and now rules Cape Caterpillar as a vicious tyrant. Will the villagers ever escape his wrath? Will the caterpillar ever turn into a butterfly? Will Steve be confused with Simon? Find out in this high octane devised tale.

The Very Well-Fed Caterpillar is a bonkers take on the traditional children’s tale. Part Monty Python, part League of Gentlemen there is enough energy here to power the national grid and the laughs come thick and fast.

This novel retelling parts company with the original about 5 minutes in and does so with lighting verbal dexterity, inventive staging and some very bright ideas. It really is a delightfully silly piece of theatre.

The 5 cast members are outrageously talented and incredibly watchable. These boys are clearly having a lot of fun and it’s infectious. Recent graduates from Chichester University, they made their debut as a collective at Brighton Fringe 2018 with a sell-out run.

Producer Nathan Charles said: “We wanted to make a bit of a platform to give us the room to make new writing. Theo (Moore) is a brilliant writer, and he had written a piece, and it just snowballed from there.”

If absurdist comedy tickles your fancy then this show is for you. If you’re a fan of beautifully executed physical theatre then this show is for you. If you have a pulse then this show is for you.

Red Biscuit Theatre definitely has a brilliant future ahead!