They know it will come to a sticky end but they declare war on the dinosaurs anyway. Why? No rational answer is proposed, instead the question is sharpened as we observe the absurd language, logic and rituals of war. That’s helped by the genius choice of the smallest actors (the ultimate tabula rasa puppet) you are ever likely to see on stage. The device enables much comedy and some pathos as the day of the great battle unfolds. This is literary as well as visual theatre, though the subtitles for a non-Italian-speaking audience could offer better sightlines. A concise (in the end rather slight) delight, the show ends somewhat abruptly, suggesting room for a more theatrical finale.

C alto, until 25 Aug
tw rating 3/5 | [Alan Cranston]