A haunting, thought-provoking, and brilliantly performed new play about identity, the secrets we hide, and the truths waiting to be uncovered.

I was lucky enough to catch Aquila Youth Theatre’s Night of the Fox at its final performance at the Space @ Niddry Street, and what a way to bring the run to a close. By the final afternoon, the young cast had clearly relaxed into their roles, delivering the production with confidence, energy, and a real sense of commitment. It was one last hurrah, and what an ending it was!

At the heart of the play is Attie, a young boy who becomes fascinated by the legend of a mysterious fox-masked figure living in the woods, a character who is believed to uncover the truth about those who encounter him. When Attie goes in search of this strange figure, things take an unexpected turn, and his friends decide to follow him into the forest.

What follows is far more than a simple search for their friend. As the children venture deeper into the woods, the play gradually peels back the layers of their friendships and their individual lives, exposing insecurities, fears and secrets that they would much rather keep hidden. The idea of having to confront and speak aloud those truths gives the story a real emotional punch and leads to some genuinely moving moments.

The production starts starkly, with Attie surrounded by older children who mock his belief in the mysterious inhabitant of the woods before leaving him bruised and battered. From there, the play moves through glimpses into the home lives and relationships of different children, gradually building a fascinating and increasingly unsettling picture.

What impressed me most was how topical and relevant the play felt. The impact of social media, and what happens when that connection is suddenly taken away, is explored in a way that feels both intelligent and accessible. The storyline is genuinely engaging and kept the audience guessing right to the end.

The atmosphere created by this young cast was superb. There were some particularly strong performances, with excellent use of body language and expression. One moment that really stood out was when the 12-year-old male twins interrupted a girls’ meeting. Their embarrassment and awkwardness were absolutely spot-on and demonstrated just how observant and accomplished these young performers are.

The truth scenes were incredibly moving, and I genuinely found myself with a tear in my eye. They gave the play an emotional depth that stayed with me after the curtain came down.

This is a really impressive piece of new writing brought to life by a talented and committed young cast. Aquila Youth Theatre should be incredibly proud of what they have achieved here. It is a production that manages to be atmospheric, entertaining, thought-provoking, and, at times, genuinely moving.

It was a real shame that the programme didn’t include the author or cast names, because I would love to know who was responsible for bringing this excellent piece to the stage. I have no doubt that several of these young performers could go on to appear in adult productions in the future.

Five Stars

A fantastic production and a hugely promising young cast.

Reviewed by Nina Gardner

Company web site

https://www.aquilayouththeatre.com/