What are Fairly Stupid Stories? Well they're just that - stupid stories that we may have heard or read as a child but were never adapted or told often throughout history... whether it be by word of mouth, television or movies. For example, how many of us remember the story of The Bird, The Mouse and The Sausage? Exactly. These stories are the ones we don't remember or may have never heard of because they are stupid. Well, not to the O.D.U. Children's Group, PlayTime Company - a performing group that creates interactive theatre for children. They even ask the children to bring those annoying other theatre goers they call 'parents'.

The writers of this production (consisting of college students Jordan Noble, Matthew Galloway, Sarah Bailey, The PlayTime Company members and adjunct faculty member Frankie Little Hardin - who is also the director) find humor in these stories and even ask the question, "would these be less stupid if told differently?" The answer, we find out, is NOT REALLY.

There are many moments in this production that are found quite hilarious by the children and even by the adults. The physical comedy seems to keep the students attention while the intellectual wit keeps the adults amused. The intellectual humor is found in the characters' names for example, Ham (Hamlet), Ophie (Ophelia), Lady M (Lady MacBeth) are just a few, but my personal favorite is Young Will - who by the end the audience realizes is Young William Shakespeare.

There are a few performances that really caught my attention. First and foremost is Sara Herring who plays Witch. This young lady has such wonderful physical and facial expressions that can make any child (and in this case any adult)  laugh. Ms. Herring has a gift for children's theatre and she might want to consider persuing it. Other remarkable cast members are George Nelson "Ham" with his overly depressed and monotone delivery of many lines which leans to the point of absurd and often quite amusing. Another mention goes to W. Ryan Ziegler who plays Clown. Yes, his character is a clown who speaks very little but is at all times very physical and funny. Sometimes he is the only thing keeping the children laughing.

There are a few problems with this production. First the script is a little weak, however it is workshop piece and has some highs and some lows as expected with any workshop script. The biggest problem in this is the direction. We the audience are asked to participate during the show, especially the children as it is an interactive piece. Well, there isn't much interaction in it. Children are asked a few questions and even become trees at one point, but that is all in the one hour and five minutes we sit in the audience. There are other opportunities for the children to take part that are all missed or omitted - as toy soldiers or choosing what people turn into when the Witch casts a spell.

Another issue is the pacing is slow. For a children's show, the pauses between each line need to be cut - just get on with it to help keep the audience's attention. The director (and writers) should pay attention to the children in the audience and realize when they are not laughing that much or are not fully attentive. Last but not least,

this show does contain some humor that many may not find appropriate for children.

I do feel this group has potential and if they can work on pacing and interaction with the children their next production will be even better. O.D.U. could develop yet another outlet for exposing children to the arts. Please try to catch O.D.U.'s PlayTime Theatre Company the next time they are performing.