“There are three types of people…  the wise… the happy… and the foolish. Which one are you?”

Can three people build a world? How about a world within that world and then another one within that? Well after seeing The Devil’s Violin perform Stolen at the Tobacco Factory Theatre last night, I can tell you the answer: yes. With no elaborate costumes or no props, Daniel Morden, Oliver Wilson-Dickson and Sarah Moody did just that. Together they brought to life the story of a magical realm complete with Kings, Princesses and Princes. There was a quest, there were demons, there was magic and danger and death, and it was beautiful.

Morden is a fantastic storyteller; dynamic with both tongue and body he told the story of Stolen masterfully, leading the audience on a grand adventure. His only accompaniment was Wilson-Dickson on Violin and Viola and Moody on the Cello, their music was wound so naturally and intrinsically into the story that they formed the lungs and breath, carrying the voice of this living fairytale.

The Devil’s Violin’s performance is laced with humour; it is exciting, spooky and (at times) heart wrenching, but is always hugely entertaining. Stolen is a testament to both Morden’s talents as a storywriter and a performer and is perhaps the ultimate bedtime story.

Chris Thumwood