The Night of the Big Wind

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Not one word is spoken during The Night of the Big Wind. This story is told through songs, music and the actions of the five-member cast. Or maybe should that be six. The sixth cast member is a child mannequin puppet that is masterfully worked by the young puppeteers. It’s this puppet’s story that we see; sitting with his fisherman father, sharing his dreams and battling the raging storm that batters the Irish coastline.

This is a gentle show. It doesn’t shout and scream. You can just sit back, watch and listen. The set, cast, props and music all have a very wholesome feel about them; from the origami boats to the basic beige and white costumes. Without words, creating sound becomes the important element and they do so very creatively; a large wooden wheel is spun against a thick white sheet at varying speeds to create the sound of building winds, a large metal sheet adds further depth and two musicians act as singing narrators when needed. 

But the great joy of this show is when we see the puppet being moved. It’s done with such skill—and delicate sympathy—that your mind's eye simply stops seeing the puppeteers; the boy stops being a puppet and becomes a real boy. It’s a great credit to the puppeteers that my only wish would be that we saw more of the puppet.