In telling the vast, adventurous story of her ancestors, Hamilton inhabits dozens of characters along the way, including the eponymous donkey and parrot. She does so with aplomb, making it wonderfully easy for the audience to follow every fast-paced narrative twist and turn. In one hour only we rocket from religious persecution, to kidnapping, slavery and of course, romance, without the narrator hesitating for one moment. Sharp and clean in delivery and aesthetic, even Hamilton’s set is charismatic: at first it appears to be simply a hollow wooden barrel, but it continues to offer up all sorts of witty surprises right until the end of the show. This is a humorous, spell-binding story immaculately told, perfect for all ages.

Gilded Balloon at Third Door, 1-27 Aug (not 13, 20), 2.00pm.
tw rating 5/5 | [Stephanie Taylor]