Streaming online throughout November, Press Play is the story of an anxious fox who is struggling to leave his room. This is a short that attempts to explore anxiety and how one tries to overcome it.
The songs by Amy Glenister have catchy lyrics and relatable words; I was singing along by the end of it. The use of puppetry is engaging and mixed with real-life elements, allowing the viewers to put themselves into the world that’s being shown. I found the story itself hard to follow at times due to visual cross overs and felt that parts lacked in pace making areas feel drawn out and unnecessary to the overall arc.
The words, written by Declan Mccarthy, are moving and help navigate the story in a rhythmic way. It is a strong method, and I felt it could have carried this piece in the form of spoken word. The small talk and other character involvement was unneeded apart from the end where that point could have been made stronger and more poignant.
With some adjustments both visually and in style, this could be an incredible and creative way to show an important subject that many can relate to, especially in more recent years. Although its suitable for any age group, I don’t think the subject itself would be able to be followed by a younger audience, though they would enjoy the visuals of the puppets.
The way it currently is, I struggle to understand. But, it has strong potential.
Tickets are available on Eventbrite for a donation or free.
{🎟 AD – PR invite – Tickets were gifted in exchange for an honest review}
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