The Cottingley Fairies - a brand new musical performed by the talented young people of British Youth Music Theatre (BYMT) - shows this weekend at Birmingham Hippodrome’s Patrick Studio. Writing partners Clare Packham and Finton Kealy developed the play for BYMT, and the pair have pulled no punches - this is a complex, fully-fledged musical, which the actors, whose ages range from 11 to 21, tackled admirably.

The story concerns the infamous Cottingley Fairy photographers - two cousins, 16-year-old Elsie Wright and nine-year-old Francess Griffiths, who caused a stir in 1920 when photographs of the girls surrounded by fairies were published in the Strand Magazine by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The play explores why the photographs became a national phenomenon - met equally with fervent belief and incredulous skepticism - while also shining a light on ideas strikingly pertinent to modern life: exploring how people’s beliefs are shaped, how society values the work of young women, and how we might question the authenticity of the images we are presented with...

The play has been brought to life during a two-week BYMT residency at the Hippodrome, with over 30 actors on stage, offering precise chorus singing and slick movement - the result is a thoroughly engaging story, reinforced by excellent performances from the young company and their live band under the Musical Directorship of Jacob Savage.

The roles of the two girls are split between four actors, as the timeline of the play bends between the 1920s and 1980s. Nicole Cammack and Blaize Middleton play young Francess and Elsie respectively, and Danielle Kelly-Honey and Fern Mellor play their older counterparts, now in their 70s and 80s - all four actors give impressive solo vocals. 

As the play is based on historical events, a few more real-life figures pop up along the way - including believer Conan Doyle (Scott Hawthorne) and his skeptical rival Harry Houdini (Daniela Valencia). Zach Went plays Edward Gardner, who is seen stirring up fairy fans in communities across the nation, while Niko Evdokimov gives a touching performance as Joe Cooper - a biographer in the 1980s who is desperate to believe. 

The effective set and costumes (designed by Lu Herbert) are enhanced by the presence of the fairies themselves - yes, for those eager to believe there is little doubt that a troupe of fairies had a hand in this story’s telling. Eight wordless performers appear to young Francess in fairy garb, all moving in the beautiful choreography of Hannah Fairclough, and continue to make their presence felt throughout the play.

In The Cottingley Fairies, the BYMT company transport their eager audience to another time, opening up a magical story with surprising relevance to the present day - while in the process showcasing the exceptional talent of this performing group.

Four Stars

The Cottingley Fairies was reviewed by Jessica Clixby on Friday 10 April at Birmingham Hippodrome's Patrick Studio, where it shows until Sunday 12 April