Kneehigh’s 946: The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips at St. Ann’s Warehouse is more sophisticatedly resonant than a large majority of theatrical kiddie fare, mostly because it sensitively touches upon mature aspects of war that other youth-focused shows mistakenly deem objectively inappropriate for children.
Emma Rice and her consistently crackpot collaborators understand that all subjects can relate to the youngest among us based entirely on how they’re handled.
And yet, 946 still falls prey to the usual trappings of such childish spectacles, preventing adults from finding it sufficiently enjoyable.
Even so, Emma Rice’s tendency to elevate conventional standards by putting her own imaginatively-staged spin on them is EXACTLY why London’s Globe Theatre should never have fired her.
