REVIEW: Cartoonopolis, Liverpool Playhouse Studio. 

Lewis Bray is an actor with a promising future. At 24 this Wirral writer and performer shows he has confidence and stage maturity.

This self-penned work - a Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse production - is outstanding because of the versatility of this talented young man from Moreton with his first one-man show.

He rightly received a standing ovation for a multi-layered drama that is highly-animated in every sense.

Lewis, a former pupil of St Mary's Catholic school and a graduate from the City of Liverpool College, wrote the play about his 17-year-old brother Jack, who has autism.

It is a theatrical reality show: real highs, lows, laughs and, at times real sensitivity.

Lewis plays all the roles from himself to cartoon loving brotherJack and ever-supportive parents, Bev and Nigel.

In all he plays 27 characters in a play comprisimg two 45 minute halves.

Wirral also makes a guest appearance.

Moreton roundabout and the non-working clock get a name check.

Directed my Matt Rutter and Chris Tomlinson it is a real theatrical achievement to have only the prop of a solitary chair and a black curtained backdrop to create so many memorable sketches intertwined within a serious story of a family dealing with autism.

Lewis has a lot of energy as illustrated in his robust reenactment of many much loved cartoon classics.

At times I was reminded of the film Who Framed Roger Rabbit? where reality meets fantasy.

But despite so many funny flights of fancy, this play always comes down to earth with its autism theme.

Subtle, spot-on lighting design and the inclusion of some singalong cartoon theme songs at the beginning proves a lot of creative thought and love has gone into the world of Cartoonopolis.

9/10 A stunning special showcase

Runs until February 14. 7.45pm.

Playhouse box office 0151 709 4776.