Lewis brings Cartoonopolis to the Edinburgh Fringe 2025. It’s the heart touching story about his younger brother Jack who is autistic and not far off his 18th birthday.
Jack has his routines and likes and dislikes. Sandwiches have to be cut into 8, Mum and Dad have to say goodnight in the right order. These aren’t Jack trying to be difficult these are the important routines for making sure nothing surprises him and causes a “meltdown.”
However, there is a place Jack likes to visit and enjoy spending time and that is Cartoonopolis. Jack’s very own make-believe world of cartoon characters where he can go on amazing adventures and ditch the sandwiches for the very best meatballs you’ve ever tasted.
Jack’s imagination is a fantastic environment. He can escape from stressful situations and be himself without judgment or fear. Lewis recreates the world vividly on stage drawing the audience into his brother’s world and showing how important Cartoonopolis is for Jack.
However, his family fears for the future and is constantly dealing with changes in the benefits system that create unnecessary stress on them all. These changes might sound necessary to those “in charge” but they don’t see or understand the impact on the families affected. The system isn’t fit for purpose and is failing families like Jack’s.
Bringing this story to an International stage highlights the importance of understanding what “real families” face daily and not just another headline or faceless case written by someone who hasn’t a clue about what’s going on.
Lewis is a powerhouse on stage and the big brother of every “Jack” in this country needs and deserves in his corner fighting for them and raising awareness. My advice is to take a tissue just in case.
For more information about Cartoonopolis please use the link below.
Five Stars.
https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/cartoonopolis
Theatre, Art and Film Reviews 
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