Uniting the oral tradition with physical theatre, Kathryn Hunter and Marcello Magni come together for Tell Them That I Am Young And Beautiful in the studio space at the Arcola Theatre. Comprised of short stories from around the world, with text by Gilles Aufray, the production is an impeccable example of the strength that lies in simple storytelling.

Tackling themes of love, friendship, truth, greed, and sacrifice Tell Them That I Am Young And Beautiful on the surface has a lovely minimalist quality. There are few props and Tunde Jegede single-handedly provides most of the music, resulting in an uncluttered retelling of traditional tales which retain their cultural identity. Without fanciful extras, the performers and their words take prominence, reigniting the creative essence of the oral tradition on stage, turning ordinary moral tales into something magical.

Marcello Magni and Patrice Naiambana provide much of the light entertainment, notably in ‘The Bone’, based on a story from the book Tales of Amadou Koumba, which charts the greed between a man and his ‘brother more than a brother’ as they try to deceive one another in order to gain the thigh bone of a cow. As they subtly attempt to outdo and outwit one another, it’s impossible not to laugh at the absurdity of their actions with Patrice’s cool resolve contrasting to Marcello’s ridiculous stubbornness.

It is, however, Kathryn Hunter who captivates. She flutters between characters with such ease that it is truly enchanting to witness. One moment she is a narrator from Italy; the next a cockney pigeon. Blink and you’ll miss her transform again into an elderly woman offering sage advice to her townspeople.

Well written, well acted, well directed, Tell Them That I Am Young And Beautiful is a perfect example of how work in a small space can allow you to explore the world without ever leaving your seat.