SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 2025

BCF 25: Sandscape
Photo: Blessing Okunlola

Exceptional fun is had while continuous creativity is unearthed in Kininso Koncepts' buoyant and engaging Sandscape, created and directed by Joshua Alabi. "Unearthed" might indeed be the most appropriate word for the Nigerian production company's enterprise, as bountiful discovery lies at the very heart of Alabi's piece - a piece which intelligently and excitingly unveils, examines and toys with the playful possibilities of sand.

With four people - Stanley Okeke, Blessing Okunlola, Edgar Eriakha and Angela Peters - a pile of sand, mugs, a broom, an umbrella, four buckets and a little bit more, Sandscape exhibits a commensurately crafted carnival of outside-the-box ideas, humour-laden activities, endearingly choreographed movement and very catchy music. For a while, one forgets that sand can be a bit of a pain and a mess, and not exactly the kind of thing to build steady foundations on – all this is rather marvellously countered by the freedom of movement and depth of invention which provides a strong artistic foundation. The theoretical will not overwhelm the fantastical, and that's the ideal tone for the visibly happy audience of all ages at Belfast's Brian Friel Theatre.

Not, of course, that there isn't room for thought - and we welcome that too. For instance, one is particularly intrigued by our quartet's early reshaping of the sand pile as what one might call a "paramount" - it's a clever visual signifier of their intent to reach for creative highs in their own dream factory. From within that relatively little mound with relatively large meaning, the group find small white stones, and before long the sand is scattered around the stage while the stones are used to tap our a rather hypnotic beat.

The beat, one of many, is inspirational as a prelude to Alabi and company's multitude of appealingly entertaining ideas, as dance, a capella harmonies and props are integrated in such a way that when one is not simply enjoying it all, they're compelled to sing or even dance along - when the occasion calls for it of course. The potential feels limitless, and the immersion feels fulfilling - this is a work as charming in its simplicity as it is kind of poignant in its thoughtfulness, and is an excellent contribution to a richly promising programme of children's theatre from this year's Young at Art Belfast Children's Festival.

Simon Fallaha

Sandscape concludes its run at the Young at Art Belfast Children's Festival 2025 (#BCF25) in the Brian Friel Theatre at Queen's Film Theatre, Belfast, on Sunday March 9. For more information, and tickets, click here.