MIRROR IMAGE Hills Youth Theatre Stirling Community Theatre Until 17 Aug 2014 Review by Anthony Vawser What if the patterns and principles contained in fairy tales were somehow let loose in the 'real world'? What, in turn, could a fantasy land expect to gain from an injection of reality? If these questions intrigue you, then it is easy to recommend the Hills Youth Theatre Seniors' latest production: “Mirror Image”. If you are searching for a bright, lively, likeable musical entertainment that all the family can (and probably will) enjoy, the recommendation is even easier to give. The idea behind “Mirror Image” may seem, on paper, like just another post-Shrek attempt to milk classic fairy tales for laughter by turning them inside out, back to front, or on their heads, simply for comic effect. The end result, though, is a lot more fun and good-hearted – and, at times, thoughtful and romantic - than this reviewer expected. As per usual with Hills Youth, costuming (a particularly important part of a show with so many iconic characters on stage) is of a high standard, and the performers' general enthusiasm is able to smooth over the less impressive aspects, such as periodic uncertainty about lyrics, or shortcomings in vocal ability. Mitchell McFarlane (the Woodsman) and Eloise Lesue (the reality-based Danica) are a sweetly sympathetic pair of protagonists, and they provide a strong centre to the action. Those standing out around the margins include Zanny Edhouse, demonstrating a keen comic sense as Little Red, and Emily McCormick's Sleeping Beauty, who gets in a great deal of flamboyant fainting! Ella Haywood-Smith and Carina Crowhurst, playing the indispensable wicked step-sisters, make for a formidable pair of antagonists. Overall, the ensemble works well together for the good of the show. When offered the chance to live in a fairy tale, many of us may jump at it, but “Mirror Image” does a good job of reasoning that the worlds of make-believe have their own problems and challenges, and that maybe this world, turbulent and unfair as it is in many ways, still has a lot going for it. What's nice about this production is the way it inspires such reflective thinking without ever being too serious; it's a breezy delight!