The Stage 4/2/99 Liz Hall (Drum, Theatre Royal, Plymouth)

If you have ever been unsure about what is really important in life, this refreshing and thought provoking production staged in the Drum, will help you gain a true sense of value.

This new fantasy musical, loosely inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's The Nightingale and the Emperor, is an exciting, thrilling work.

It fuses Gary Carpenter's enchanting, lyrical and on occasions abstract score with Simon Nicholson's vivid storytelling.

Although the initial scene in Act I may be a little inaccessable for the younger members of the audience- which it aims to court, director Annie Castledine and musical director Timothy Sutton succeed by Act II in bringing out the magic of this dynamic journey of self-discovery.

Their endeavours are enhanced by Richard Alwin's imaginative set created by the Theatre Royal's props department.

Elizabeth Mansfield gives an outstanding, high-energy delivery as the eccentric and failed Toymaker. Also her rendition of 'I don't like fish' was particularly amusing and memorable. Brendan O'Hea is a wonderfully petulant and spoilt Emperor, grasping the essential values of life in his last moments on earth. Nigel Richards as his Mandarin mentor, gives an exuberant all-singing, all-dancing performance.

Amber Sinclair, whose enchanting clear voice makes her a natural choice for the nightingale, also gives a spirited interpretation in the role of the Rogue Toy.

The use of five musicians, playing a variety of instruments adds further impact to this intriguing, powerful Plymouth DrumTheatre Royal and Clearday production.

The Independent 2/2/99 Allen Saddler

A night out with the toys.

China Song arrives with a list of awards. Last year's Vivian Ellis for the most promising musical, book writer and lyricist, and the 1998 Warner/Chappel Music Prize.

It has also been dubbed A Wizard of Oz for the nineties. China Song is worthy of the awards, but the comparison is doubtful. The Wizard Of Oz has the munchkins, Toto and a philosophically PC-ending. China Song is beguiling enough to charm the adults, but may be over the heads of children.

The story of a captured delight failing to live up to its promise in captivity is a theme well thumbed; in this case, from Hans Christian Andersen's The Nightingale and John Fowles's The Collector. Presented here as a fairy tale in operatic form, its plea for freedom and naturalness provides a powerful dramatic motif.

China song is an artistic triumph for writer and lyricist Simon Nicholson, composer Gary Carpenter and director Annie Castledine. The story of the Emperor who refuses to assume the responsibility of his office, preferring to play with toys and scour the country for unusual novelties, may or may not be PC depending on your philosophical outlook. "What about China?" asks the Chief Mandarin. "Sell it," says the wayward Emperor. The evasion of responsibilty forms the background to this near perfect piece of miniature musical theatre.

Highly polished and stretched just within its limits, it holds the attention throughout with its eclectic musical score, running between Menotti and Sondheim, with the occasional outburst of burlesque razzmatazz. Played by the five-piece ensemble of harp, saxes, bass, guitar and banjo, actively lead by musical director Tim Sutton at the keyboards, it is always interesting, and often absorbing.

The cast sing with wistful intensity drawing the audience into acceptance of a magical world without an element of surprise or shock. Brendan O'Hea plays the Emperor with insolent grace, and Nigel Richards is the anxious official at the end of his tether. Elizabeth Mansfield, as the ever-willing toymaker, bounces off songs like 'Im a Genius' and 'Fishing'.

Plymouth Extra 4/2/99 Pam Guyatt

This new musical stars four talented people, highly enjoyable music by composer Gary Carpenter, and a story based on Hans Christian Andersen's The Emperor and the Nightingale.

An accomplished on-stage musical ensemble and a complicated set do not give the actors much room to move, although they are physically adept at using what space they have... Standing out among the four players were Nigel Richards as the Mandarin, and Elizabeth Mansfield (who must be born to sing Brecht) as the Toymaker, but Amber Sinclair on her debut and Brendan O'Hea as the Emperor performed with skill and flair.
An enjoyable evening, suitable for chldren and adults, and with magical music, beautifully played.