Jason and the Argonauts, an adaptation of the Greek myth by Scottish theatre company Visible Fictions, is a fun, friendly romp in streamlined-theatre style — two actors play all the roles, with the help of some Ken-doll-size figures and clever props. One hallmark of this 65-minute performance is that the roles are traded back and forth without ever seeming to confuse the pintsize audience. At any given moment, either Simon Donaldson as lanky, able Josh or Tim Settle as chubby, silly Andy plays heroic Jason, who discovers at age 21 he's a prince whose father was slain by his uncle. Robert Forrest's script is cute without being cutesy.
That first duel scene is unsettling, as the rightful king's throat is cut, but just as parents began to mutter uneasily the scene ended. Andy turned to the house and said, "That was a bit scary, wasn't it? Not for you lot, for me — I almost broke a nail." Josh and Andy bicker throughout like Sesame Street muppets; indeed, the antics and interactions of the boy-men on stage are a bit more fun than the quest to retrieve the Golden Fleece from the king of Colchis and regain Jason's kingdom. There's a running joke that Andy wants to bring Spiderman into the story somehow, and high-pitched giggles were heard during the love scene between Jason and Medea when the lads nearly kiss.
One enormous wooden cart functions as throne, castle, and stage; the Argo is played first by a small paper boat folded by Andy and then by the cart itself, which is transformed into an enormous replica of the paper boat. At times the forward motion drags a little, and except for a speech about courage toward the end, there's not a lot of depth to this retelling. Still, Jason and the Argonauts makes for an engaging, sweet children's hour.
Presented by the New 42nd Street at the New Victory Theater, 209 W. 42nd St., NYC. Jan. 23-Feb. 1. Schedule varies. (646) 223-3010 or www.newvictory.org.