If you saw The Firebird or East o'the Sun, West o'the Moon at the previous fringes you're already familiar with the work of multi story from the UK.  Well, same again Sam.

Borrowing from the Scottish author, George Macdonald, best known for his fairy stories such as At The Back of the North Wind, Bill Buffery and Gill Nathanson have fashioned another great journey of the imagination.

Mossy and Tangle live next door to to each other, but they don't get on.  Tangle eavesdrops from the branches of a tree in her yard as Mossy's great aunt Agatha tells the tale of the golden key; a key to be found in a bed of emerald-green moss at the foot of the rainbow.  A key that can open the chamber of the most precious.

Now if that sounds precious, that's exactly what her practical great nephew thinks. It's not scientific. (He was separated at birth from the cynical little sprog in the movie Miracle on 34th street).

The out of control Tangle, is more open and curious, and when the two grudgingly go on a quest for the key, it's their different abilities that come to the fore.

Their search takes us to the valley of the Shadowfolk; a place that triggers memories of the dead (Yes, I know it's for children) to the Island of Calm in the Sea of Tranquillity and to the Portal of Doom. Along the way we meet the oldest man in the world, a fish that flies and the Shadowmaster. All these, and several others, are portrayed or played by the dynamic duo.

If you have heard my review for Manitoba Theatre for Young People productions you know I have a low sugar tolerance. Not to worry. The children are prickly and the accommodation to friendship hard won.

Now, I've dabbled in children's theatre as an actor, director and adaptor, and I want to tell you that multi story productions are magic. In addition to my recommending The Golden Key to a general audience of all ages I want to encourage teachers, actors, playground workers, and daycare workers to take it in. The characterizations are sharply edged, and done economically as well. There's good use of the whole stage and the few props. Some of there physical antics are downright athletic, and I want to mention their indefatigable energy and focus.

The show actually starts before it starts, as the duo greet the children as they come in. The smiles are inviting, they're already in costume and character, and the guitar strumming and quiet singing puts the children in the best possible story accepting mood. There's no raised stage, and the first three rows are cushions on blankets on the bare floor.

More importantly the question of the values to be introduced are sensitively and lightly handled. The results are outstanding and memorable. Five Christmas lights by my ranking. Ron Robinson CBC

Join the Mulder and Scully of Kids Fringe as Tangle and Mossy sort through the strange clues of their magical and funny adventure -- and they don't even like each other! Tangle, a tree-loving creature, is right at home conversing with birds and squirrels. But Mossy knows his facts, and if he doesn't have his compass and map he's never going to prove to Tangle that the foot of a rainbow is a "simple matter of science and plain, common sense." But could he be wrong? So begins this colourful story. Brilliantly performed by U.K. theatre actors Gill Nathanson and Bill Buffery with the help of a slew of puppets, this is a play for both kids and grownups.

And you can be sure you've seen a good story when it makes you forget it's using some of the conventions of children's fantasy (quest for a small gold object, chase by an otherworldly wicked thing, and in this J.K. Rowling era, a secret place called a chamber). But the best review comes from an eight year old: "They did a really great job." Winnipeg Free Press

“It was great to have this friendly, energetic and imaginative duo back. The production was excellent - a good story, using enchantingly simple props to tell a story of adventure, triumph over hardship and fear, to discover true friendship. The children listened in rapt attention (as did the adults!). That just 2 people can present such a thrilling story and portray so many characters beggars belief.

Thanks too for their colourful posters/flyers which also included news of our accompanying Teddy Bears Picnic. Also thanks to VIA for the excellent news coverage in the Mid Devon Gazette. A good value company.”Promoter in Devon

“Children loved both the drama workshop and the performance. Multi Story create real theatrical magic everytime they perform. We only need very small numbers of posters/flyers as the performance always sells out.

Total professionalism as always. Please come back soon”Ilkley Literature Festival