SALLY and the Sunflower is part of Salisbury Arts Centre’s current season of shows retelling traditional tales.

Almost identical in storyline to Jack and the Beanstalk – besides the substitution of Sally for Jack and sunflower seeds for beans – this oneman production combined live performance, puppetry and projections.

After a slightly laboured start, the familiar story unfurled with some clever shadow puppetry and imagery.

Even the most simple of props were used to great effect, and the young audience was impressed, if a little shaken, by the thundering giant.

In places, Sally and the Sunflower would have benefited from having another performer.

Zannie Fraser worked hard as story-teller and puppeteer, but some of the transitions between props and puppets were a little clunky.

Despite this, Sally and the Sunflower was both charming and exciting, and a good chance to see innovative puppet theatre at close quarters.

The next traditional story coming to the Arts Centre is Rapunzel on February 15.

Jill Harding