I BELIEVE IN MONSTERS
Gryphon Theatre, 22 Ghuznee Street, Wellington
01/10/2013 - 12/10/2013
Production Details
Written and directed by Tabitha Arthur
Choreographed by Bea Lee Smith
Songs composed by Hayden Taylor and Sarah Andrews Reynolds
Set design by Jason Longstaff
Puppets designed and created by Jonathan Kingston-Smith
Kapitall Kids' Theatre
Enchanting monster puppets – and a touch of monster ballet.
Kapitall Kids Theatre is proud to present the première of new New Zealand work by fresh Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School and Victoria University Directing graduate, Tabitha Arthur.
The original play I Believe In Monsters was born out of Arthur’s determination to bring strong original stories, independent characters, and fantastical worlds to quality children’s theatre. Arthur holds much-loved children’s book author Maurice Sendak of Where The Wild Things Are in high regard. She says “Maurice Sendak understood the intelligence of children. His gutsy approach to storytelling was one I respect. I aspire to create work that captures kid’s imaginations, and empower them to think big”.
I Believe In Monsters follows Paige – a smart, imaginative girl, who loves writing stories – especially stories about monsters. But it turns out that monsters are really, actually real – and they need Paige’s help!
This wonderful new play will thrill children and adults alike, with moments of delightful suspense and laugh-out-loud physical comedy. The story is woven together using fantastic monsters, enchanting puppets, delightfully monster-ish singing – and a touch of monster ballet. I Believe In Monsters will leave you bursting with determination to live life to the full!
Kapital Kids Theatre has been going for 13 years, supporting local work and artists, and this is their 40th production. The strong cast of three features experienced American actor Sarah Andrews Reynolds, Wellington-based Jason Tolley, and Maria Jones who arrived from England only three months ago. Directed by Tabitha Arthur, monster ballet choreography by Bea Lee Smith, and original songs composed by Hayden Taylor and Sarah Andrews Reynolds. Puppets designed and created by Jonathan Kingston-Smith.
I Believe In Monsters
suitable for all ages
1 – 12 October 2013, 11am and 1pm.
No show Sunday, 11am only on Saturday 12 October.
Gryphon Theatre, 22 Ghuznee Street, Wellington.
Tickets $10, or $9 each for groups of 10 or more.
Bookings phone Kapitall Kids Theatre (04) 934 4068.
CAST: Sarah Andrews Reynolds; Maria Jones; Jason Tolley
Theatre , Family , Children’s , Musical ,
The monstrous quest to be accepted as yourself
Review by John Smythe 01st Oct 2013
At last, a brand new children’s play that is not a panto-style adaptation of a classic fairytale, nor a dramatisation of a much-loved New Zealand children’s book (not that there’s anything wrong with that!). Although she admits to being influenced by Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are, Tabitha Arthur’s I Believe in Monsters is refreshingly original.
Paige (Maria Jones) is a keen writer of stories which she makes up with the aid of the Sendakesque puppet dolls she keeps in her trunk: Sage the little green monster and her parents, Mum who is pink and Dad who is blue.
Her real Mum and Dad – Sarah Andrews Reynolds and Jason Tolley – think they are doing good by taking her to ballet lessons but her problem is that although she likes to watch ballet, loves the music and likes the stories, she doesn’t actually like to dance.
Conversely the Blue Monster who lives in her wardrobe (Tolley) wants nothing more than to dance ballet, in Paige’s tutu what’s more, but that’s not allowed in the Monster World because tutus aren’t scary. As for the Pink Monster (Andrew Reynolds), she wants to sing, but that’s not allowed either.
These restrictions make Paige rethink her fantasy of being a monster herself. The quest for, which gives the play its forward momentum, all is to be seen and accepted – liked, in fact – for who they really are.
The monsters’ desire for an audience to dance and sing to is nicely played with when they ‘imagine’ one, by supposedly closing their eyes and describing children in the actual audience.
It all works out in the end, of course, with Dad admitting he’d wanted to be a chef rather than the accountant he has become, and Mum wanting to be an artist. They all agree to dedicate on day a week to doing what they really want.
Composer Hayden Taylor and lyricist Sarah Andrews Reynolds have crafted some good, if derivative, songs for her to sing, albeit in a rather childish and cutsie-poo American voice. Jason Longstaff’s set design and Jonathan Kingston-Smith’s puppet dolls add visual delight to the show.
I Believe in Monsters is not a play that gets its young audience excited and calling out. But they are attentive. If they are chatting among themselves or with the adult companions, it is about the play. And doubtless it will inform the way they play over the holidays, which is always the bonus from a good kids’ show.
Copyright © in the review belongs to the reviewer
Comments
John Smythe October 2nd, 2013
Quite right, Bronwyn - badly put on my part. I was thinking of Kapitall Kids (and KidzStuff) shows in particular.
bronwyn bent October 2nd, 2013
Sounds like a great show, and bring on the original work for young audiences. But there has been plenty of recent work for children that isn't just a re-imagined fairy tale or book adaptation; a look through Capital E's archives will confirm that, but it also holds true in other centres as well - the shows for children at The Edge or at the Fortune are very rarely either of those.