Belleville Rendez-vous

This stage adaptation of Sylvain Chomet’s Oscar-nominated animated film uses an dazzling array of theatrical tricks to deliver a charming and memorable Fringe experience.

Set in the eponymous 1950s Parisian cabaret bar, recently-orphaned Champion is taken in by his kindly grandmother Madame Souza. The nervous child is brought out of his shell by the twin presents of a dog called Bruno and a bicycle. Years later, inspired by the latter gift, he takes part in the Tour de France, only to be kidnapped by a pair of shadowy mafia figures. Madame Souza sets out to save him with the help of Bruno and a few characters she meets on the way.

The production does a fantastic job in mirroring the innocent appeal of the source material. The young Champion is played by an impossibly sad marionette. Meanwhile, Bruno the dog, who is very much the heart of the performance, appears as two ingeniously-formed puppets, the first made from a boot and the second from a suitcase. Both are instantly lovable.

A jazz quartet supplies the music in the largely dialogue-free performance, providing atmosphere with double bass, piano, guitar and accordion. Meanwhile, cast members supply sound effects using everything from a bike frame to saucepan lids.

Those not familiar with the film could lose track of the the plot in a middle section which mainly utilises dance to further the action. But it’s all brought together in a satisfying manner with a rousing rescue and chase scene.