Throw Me A Bone (Reviews)
ARCHIVE EDITOR'S NOTE: This first piece was discovered during an online search quite some time after it was first published on the website of the Bishop's Stortford Citizen on 7 November 2003. It was written as a preview for Niki's Throw Me A Bone performance at ArtsDepot Arts Centre (formerly The Bull Theatre) in Barnet, Hertfordshire, U.K. on 16 November 2003. However, some of the content suggests that the unidentified writer had attended an unspecified previous performance. As such, we decided to include it with the other reviews.
ENJOY A DOG DAY AFTERNOON --- When they visit the theatre, some people see innuendo in every line and a metaphor in each action. Others see a column, the back of someone's head and not much more, depending on how much they have paid for the tickets. So, what does a woman dressed as a dog chasing her own tail represent? The cyclical nature of time? The futility of life? The atavistic, animalistic pulsation that ultimately drives man to go and buy tickets for Britney Spears in concert? Well, The Bull is providing you with the opportunity to decide for yourself. Niki McCretton, who has had hits with adults' and children’s theatre productions across the world, will be pretending to be her pet Jack Russell. A hyperactive ankle-biter is hardly the stuff of legend, but Niki proves that the depiction of a dog's life can be an enchanting experience. The show courses the imaginary adventures of a small dog who, while waiting for dinner, heads to the top of the world where she discovers snow for the first time and befriends a fledgling bird who convinces her she can fly. With gentle humour, movement and fleas, this is a fantastic show for children which will leave them beguiled, bewildered and out of breath.
ARCHIVE EDITOR'S NOTE: The following reviews of Throw Me A Bone are in connection with Niki's performances at the 2003 Seattle Fringe Festival in Seattle, Washington, USA - beginning with one from an online indie-pop magazine, continuing with one from the official Fringe review publication, The Review Rag, and ending with audience reviews from the Throw/Bone Show Page on the now-defunct Seattle Fringe website.
BRILLIANT MIND --- Commissioned by the Prague Fringe Festival, this enchanting British youth-theatre piece is Niki McCretton's second Seattle Fringe production this year. The brilliant mind behind the dark and brooding Heretic brings us the whimsical tale of a mischievous hungry dog named Patty and her high-spirited imaginary adventures. Like the best children's entertainment, it's funny, melancholy and a wee bit terrifying.
("Embracey" - Three Imaginary Girls Dot Com - 3.5/4 Stars - September 2003)
THE PAWS THAT REFRESH --- In her one-woman show, Throw Me A Bone, Niki McCretton is part-Gene Kelly, part-Snoopy, part-Cirque du Soleil clown. As a dog waiting for her family to return from an outing and feed her, McCretton fills the stage with imaginative flights of fancy, some of the flights more literal than others. This is a terrific show for children combining music, dance, puppetry, snow, math, charm and audience participation. There's not a whole lot of meat on this bone; don't look for a storytelling throughline or plot. Come instead for the moment-to-moment pleasure of watching McCretton's canine imagination cut loose. The technical cues could use some smoothing out, but the actress is in top form. This petite Brit brings a joyful level of commitment to her performance. From the first paw popping out of the doghouse, the audience knows it's in good hands.
(Barbara Lindsay - Seattle Fringe Review Rag - 22 September 2003)
COMPELLING PERFORMER --- I went to see Throw Me A Bone because I'd seen Niki's "adult" shows, Heretic and Worm-Hole, and found her to be a compelling performer. I wasn't disappointed. She brings such commitment and joy to the simplest of actions. So if you have kids, you must bring them to see this show. And if you've seen Niki's other stuff (and do if you get a chance), come and see her bring that unique talent of hers to a decidedly lighter show.
(Scot Augustson - Seattle Fringe Website Show Page - 24 September 2003)
CLEVERLY EXPRESSIVE --- This show is a delight!! Niki McCretton is enchanting as a dog who creates adventures for herself while waiting for her next meal. Her movements are cleverly expressive and never lose their energy or spark. Even the younger children in the audience were enraptured throughout the entire performance. Don't miss it!!
(Jeff - Fringe Website Show Page - 24 September 2003)
A CONGRATULATORY PAT ON THE HEAD --- Niki McCretton is simply irresistible and adorable in Throw Me A Bone. Really makes you want to scratch her behind the ear and pat her head. Such an imaginative and enchanting world to play in.
(Matt Lovell - Fringe Website Show Page - 28 September 2003)
HE'S YOUNG AT HEART --- A lot of fun! Definitely not just for children. Niki does a great job again.
(Dennis - Fringe Website Show Page - 21 September 2003)
DAZZLING THE CHILD WITHIN --- This play is inventive and fun! Niki turns the simplest ideas into sparkling brainstorms that can dazzle adults just as well as children. Her work with the food bowl alone is worth the price of admission!
(Tim - Fringe Website Show Page - 19 September 2003)
ARCHIVE EDITOR'S NOTE: The following review of Throw Me A Bone is from Niki's performances at the Prague Fringe Festival held in early June 2003 in Prague, The Czech Republic. The online review was uncredited at the source.
DELIGHTFUL & ENGAGING PERFORMANCE --- Patty is a dog. Patty is hungry. And Patty has a marvellous imagination. Niki McCretton's solo children's show is a treat; lightly and delicately played, it is a quiet celebration of imagination. Very hungry and with no immediate prospects for food, Patty tries to sleep but can't get comfortable - when she finally does, her food bowl won't sit still and keeps disturbing her rest (using a simple but ingenious trick with the bowl). This is just the beginning. Soon Patty is dancing (with a little pee-break), climbing mountains and trying to fly. McCretton plays the dog with charm and wit, and is remarkably convincing in her movement and expression. She nevers commits that common but unforgivable sin found so often in children's theatre of being condescending, nor does she employ cheap humour to win her audience. Instead, she allows that relationship to develop, timing actual audience involvement superbly; first through a snowball fight, then - in an inspired moment - bringing two little girls on stage to help her design a flying machine. The sound and light design is simple and effective - and necessary given that a few of the transitions were awkward and slow. Otherwise, this is a delightful and engaging performance.
(Uncredited Review On Prague TV Website - 7 June 2003)
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