Miguel de Cervantes epic novel Don Quixote is considered to be the first modern novel, but it is also over 400 years old and is considered a ‘bit of a challenge’ by even the most dedicated of word nerds. It’s about a mad old man who seeks to become knight. The book has themes sanity, delusion, the complicated nature of story-telling (including one’s own internal myth) and reality in general. The Edinburgh Fringe show Don Quixote (Is a Very Big Book) attempts to put this long, complicated and proto-typical work into a stage production less than an hour long.
And it does so very admirably. Mostly by taking the essence of the novel and distilling into down into its simplest themes. This is a one-man show that uses costumes, props, puppets, clowning and mild audience participation. We begin with the performer (Dik Downey) sane and amiable, telling us about the show and as he slowly pulls on the Don Quixote costume, his explanation slides into nostalgia, and we are told that this is the last show the entertainer will ever be part of, as the artist is an old man, reliving past glories.
It’s an obvious metaphor and clever idea, and the transformation is incredible. The rest of the show is an exercise in very carefully controlled chaos, with Downey’s experienced and skilful clowning drawing us in to the arguably tragic tale. The puppets are incredibly well done and well realised. Especially striking is Don Quixote’s horse Rocinante. The poor beast is traditionally depicted as underfed and rather awkward, and this version looks like it’s leapt straight out of a child’s picture book or the classic 80’s cartoon series. Sancho Panza is also depicted as a puppet, based on Downey’s long-time collaborator Adam Blake. This choice makes a lot of sense given the way the performance blends Downey and Don Quixote together, and Panza works well as a comic foil and puppet here. It’s a deep-cut choice but one really shows how much thought and love has gone into this show.
After all, what is the difference between pursuing a career in the performing arts and tilting at windmills? Are we proud? Are we brave? Or just crazy?
Don Quixote (Is a Very Big Book) dares to dream the impossible dream, and puts on a brilliant show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Catch it while you still can.
