AN INTELLIGENT, WELL DESIGNED, AND MIGHTILY FUN LEARNING EXPERIENCE |
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) Writer: Peter Wilson Director: Kerryn Palmer Composer: Laughton Pattrick Lyricist: Jenny Pattrick Musical Director: Tim Solly CAPITAL E NATIONAL THEATRE FOR CHILDREN at Capital E, Wellington From 11 Apr 2009 to 24 Apr 2009 Reviewed by Mel Camp, 13 Apr 2009 |
Seasons is one of the oldest shows in Capital E's repertoire (first performed in 2000), but it sure is a goodie. This is one exceptionally energetic, educational and enthralling show.
It's a simple plot - Three actors, calling each other by their real names, take us on a lickety-split tour of the four seasons. Dressed in their finest super-bright apparel, Carl Hayes, Francesca Emms and Trymel Griffiths sing, dance and puppeteer their way through 50 minutes of high energy fun and learning.
This is the stuff Hi-5 is made of. Aimed at 2-7 year olds, it is colourful, fast-paced and intelligent enough to enrapture the entire age range plus the parents.
The show begins with a snappy game of hide and seek to get everyone in the mood, before getting down to the business of the seasons.
Winter comes first ("the earth is sleeping"), and as soon as the snowflakes begin to fall, I know we're in for a magical ride. But this show is not just pretty effects and amusing gags. There's real science in here. We learn what happens to the earth, the weather and the animals during each season.
In Spring we plant seeds and watch them grow and we follow two birds through courtship, procreation (of a sort) and egg laying. Kids and adults alike were in stitches as the female bird took on some very human reactions to her "labour" pains.
In Summer we go fishing by the seaside with Carl and see how a caterpillar changes in to a butterfly.
In Autumn the leaves fall from the trees (they really do!) and the earth goes back to sleep again.
Each season is followed by a starry sky and a song about the phases of the moon, something that was a little complex to follow but it sure looked pretty.
These three actors are hard to fault. They sing beautifully and exhibit an honestly and playfulness that the children clearly appreciate. Not a single patronising sneer to be seen.
The "look behind you" gag is used over and over and over again. But it's a classic for a reason, and the kids shouted ecstatically and were beside themselves with glee each and every time it came around.
Debz Ruffell's cast of puppets are an absolute hit, and the puppeteering is so expressive it is easy to blank out the actor standing behind them. My favourite was the pink worm with the curly moustache.
I could go on about the puppets, the props, the set, the lighting, the music, the directing, the stage management, but I'd be repeating myself and the best thing about them all is that they work together seamlessly to create an intelligent, well designed, and mightily fun learning experience.
I knew they were on to a winner when I looked down my row in the semi-darkness to see the ten year old boys, the two year old girl and her dad all with the same faraway look of enchantment in their eyes.
If you're in Wellington, get your tickets quick smart. If you're anywhere else between Keri Keri and Invercargill, keep an eye out for Seasons coming to a theatre near you. This is children's theatre at its magical best.
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