The Gruffalo’s Child.
Adapted from Jennifer Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s book by Tall Stories.Original director: Olivia Jacobs. Creative Producer: Toby Mitchell. Associate DirectorAustralia/New Zealand Liesel Badorrek. Designer Isla Shaw. Lighting Designer James Whiteside. Puppet designer Yvonne Stone. Choreographer Morag Cross. Associate choreographer: Luanna Priestman. Music and Lyrics: John Fiber and Andy Shaw. Additional lyrics: Olivia Jacobs and Robin Price. Music Production: John Fiber and Andy Shaw for Jolly Good Turnes.Company Stage Manager: Belinda Price. Assistant SStage Manager: Genevieve Davidson. Presented by CDP and Tall Stories. The Q Thjeatre. Queanbeyan and Panarang Council. Saturday January 26th and Sunday January 27th. Bookings 02 62856290 or theq.net.au
Reviewed by Peter Wilkins
In a recent interview, celebrated
children’s author, Jennifer Rowe aka Emily Rodda, remarked on the important
role that children’s literature plays in encouraging the reading habits and
development of young readers into well-rounded adults and lovers of literature.
The same could be said of those who dedicate their art to the adaptation of children’s
books to the stage and write plays for young people of all ages. Nowhere was this more apparent to me than in
the delightful CDP production of Jennifer Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s popular story,The Gruffalo’s Child. This enchanting stage sequel to The Gruffalo has been directed and
performed with magical flair, entrancing the young audience with excellent
performances, lyrical songs and enthusiastic participation.
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| Mouse, Fox and Gruffalo's Child |
This stage adaptation pads out
the original story of the Gruffalo’s daughter venturing into the deep dark wood
with physical routines, catchy songs with pertinent morals and audience actions
to keep the young involved and entertained. Rather than a mouse inventing a fierce
Gruffalo to spare it from harm from the snake, the owl and the fox in the
original story, Donaldson’s sequel cleverly inverts the tale to employ the “big
bad mouse” as the threat to strike far into the hearts of her predators.
Heedless of her father’s stern warning and with only a stick to ward off
danger, the Gruffalo’s child eventually comes face to face with the big bad
mouse, conjured up by the wily mouse. The fifty five minute adaptation serves
as a lesson on survival and using wit and imagination to keep out of the way of
harm. Fortunately for Gruffalo’s child, she learns only too well the wisdom of
warning and the importance of heeding sound advice. It is a lesson not unnoticed
by the youngest members of the Q Theatre audience. Like every good story, the
moral is abundantly clear and Gruffalo’s child learns only too well that there
is nowhere as safe as her father’s lap.
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| Madison Hegarty, Jade Paskins and Skyler Ellis |
CDP’s production of Tall Stories’
adaptation is a wonderful theatrical
treat for young and old alike. Performed with sheer enthusiasm, skill and
charming vivacity by three captivating
performers, the production is a
testament to the outstanding qualities of excellent children’s theatre. It is
neither patronizing, nor gratuitous and the actors perform with delight in
their craft and respectful observance of their young audience. Jade Paskins’ Child is deliciously naïve, but
swift to discover her wile. As Narrator and Mouse, Madison Hegarty engages well
with her young audience, although her transition from Narrator to Mouse is less
dynamic. The final moment of the story, when the Gruffalo’s Child returns to
the safety of the father’s lap, seems unresolved. The punch line of the final
episode seems diluted after a series of high octane adventures. It is Skyler
Ellis who impresses with chameleon transitions from narrator to slippery
calypso swivelling snake, professorial owl wheeler-dealing, sly fox and a Gruffalo in
fine voice. His performances are finely honed for their unique personalities.
Liessal Badorrek directs the Australian cast with imaginative flair and
precision on designer Isla Shaw’s simple story book design with art nouveau
shaped trees in front of a full moon. Morag Cross’s choreography is lively and full
of fun and John Fiber and Andy Shaw’s
music and lyrics are simple, catchy and clever, complemented by original
director Olivia Jacobs’ and Robin Price’s additional lyrics.
The tean behind The Gruffalo, Room on the Broom and the various Treehouses of Andy Griffiths and
Terry Denton have scored another magical
triumph with this adaptation of The Gruffalo’s Child, proving that the very
best in Children’s Theatre shares its
place in a nation’s cultural heritage with the very best in adult theatre.
Treat yourself to the magic of The Gruffalo stories as they fill the stage with
colour and delight.
Don’t miss CDP and Tall Stories’
production of The Gruffalo Live on
Stage at The Q from March 27 – March 30
2019
