PUSS IN BOOTS
The Court Theatre, Bernard Street, Addington, Christchurch
28/09/2016 - 08/10/2016
Production Details
Charismatic Cat returns to The Court in a new musical adventure
The Court presents a musical adaptation of the well-loved children’s classic Puss in Boots updated to be relevant for children today.
Down-on-his-luck shoemaker Dave is head over heels for the fantastically feisty Princess Grace – but the greedy Queen Hippolotta wants her daughter to marry a fancy man. When Dave meets a crafty, cheeky and charismatic cat wearing a pair of boots, Puss promises to make Dave’s dreams come true!
Playwright Georgia-Kate Heard has adapted lots of aspects of the traditional fairy tale to make it enjoyable for children of all ages, by adding humour and as much audience interaction as possible. “I want the children to feel part of the story, like they are coming on an exciting journey with the characters,” says Heard.
In many old fairy tales, the central female is often a passive character whose only goal is to marry a prince or someone wealthy enough to take care of her. In The Court Theatre’s new adaptation the princess – and the puss – have undergone a few changes that better reflect the times.
“In this world we live in now, full of so many powerful, independent and successful women, I knew I had to write a strong female character who didn’t need to be ‘saved’,” says Heard. “I want little girls to sit in the audience of my show and see someone they can look up to.”
The charismatic cat Puss will be played by Lucy Porter, fresh from her lead role in the hit show Hairspray.
Another major difference about this version of Puss in Boots from its 16th Century origins is that it is a musical. Award winning composer and pianist Matt Everingham has written original music with lyrics by Heard. Everingham is well known for his work composing for film, theatre and concert. Performances of his work have been given around New Zealand (NZTrio) and his earthquake memorial composition premiered in Westminster Abbey on the 4th anniversary of the Christchurch Earthquake.
The music is upbeat, clever and will certainly have the little ones dancing in their seats. They are age appropriate for an audience of 3-7 year olds, yet sophisticated enough for the parents and older children to enjoy as well.
The Court will also be holding its second Relaxed Performance on 1st October at 1pm designed to welcome those who benefit from a more informal performance environment, including people with an Autism Spectrum Condition, sensory and communication disorders or a learning difficulty. There will be a relaxed attitude to noise and movement during the performance, and some small changes will be made to the light and sound effects. The auditorium will have a smaller than usual capacity so patrons will be able to move around more easily.
Heard and Everingham believe children’s theatre is important to the future of the arts. It’s the young people who sit riveted in the audience of a show, who develop a love of theatre, of entertaining, of storytelling and who may go on to be our next Sir Peter Jackson or Margaret Mahy!
#pussinboots #courttheatre
The Court Theatre on the Tonkin & Taylor Main Stage
28 September – 8 October 2016
11am and 1pm, Monday – Friday, 11am Saturday
Relaxed Performance: 1pm Saturday 1st October
Running time: approx. 50 mins
Show supported by Mainland Foundation
Ticket prices: Child (Age 2 and over) $10; Adult $15
Bookings: phone 03 963 0870 or visit www.courttheatre.org.nz
CAST:
Jane Leonard: Princess Grace
Lucy Porter: Puss
Jack Marshall: Shoemaker|Queen Hippolotta
PRODUCTION TEAM:
Nick Lowry: Set Designer
Grace Duval: Costume Designer
Sean Hawkins: Lighting Designer
Christy Lassen: Properties
Jo Bunce: Stage Manager
Celia Mann: Stage Manager
Nicky Marshall: Sound Operator
Giles Tanner: Lighting Operator
Theatre , Family , Children’s ,
50 mins
Another Court Theatre triumph of excellent children's theatre
Review by Ruth Agnew 29th Sep 2016
Every school holidays, the Court Theatre transforms the set of their major production into some kind of magical land for a family friendly kids’ production. After years of churning out 50 minute plays that usually rely heavily on the wealth of extremely able young actors available in Christchurch, it must be a challenge to continually present fresh, fun shows that captivate the little ones while managing to entertain the adults in the audience.
Fortunately, by commissioning new writing talent to create exciting new versions of traditional tales, the Court Theatre’s stronghold on holiday entertainment shows no sign of weakening. Georgia-Kate Heard’s reimagining of Puss in Boots is lively and entertaining, and will appeal to an audience beyond its target age group.
I’ve brought a large posse of children with me to Puss in Boots, hoping to elicit expert opinion from those the play is truly hoping to entertain. It is testimony to the success of previous Court Theatre kids’ shows that every child I invited along accepted, resulting in my nine mini reviewers and assorted guardians filling an entire row of seats. I had questioned whether the eleven year olds would find the content beneath their interest level, and I’ve strategically placed the one year old with her mother on an aisle seat so a swift exit would be easy if necessary.
My fears were unfounded, as every child in my company declares the play to be one of the best they have seen. Coming from such experienced theatregoers, this is high praise indeed. Even the baby is captivated throughout, clapping along to the music.
Lovelorn shoemaker Dave is shaken from his task of crafting a romantic gift of bedazzled high tops for the princess he adores by a cruel rejection letter from her (at least she didn’t do it by text). He is saved from hopeless heartache by the resourceful, quick thinking Puss in Boots, who helps him create a new persona to woo back his love and win over her mother.
While the storyline adheres to the well-known fairytale, with ogres, royalty and magic, Heard’s script is peppered with modern references. The anachronistic combination of traditional elements alongside contemporary touches leads to great comic moments. An early example is Puss in Boots, dressed in the familiar velvet coat and knee high black boots, doing a funky rap, finishing with an attempt at breakdancing. This is also a great opportunity for audience participation, which is another strength of the show.
One of my eight year old companions feels the best thing about Puss in Boots is “the way we got to yell out and tell them to look behind and to sing the songs with them”. Judging from the enthusiastic responses from the audience, she is not alone in this sentiment.
All the parts are ably played by three strong triple threats, all NASDA graduates. The always-entertaining Lucy Porter frequently shows her versatility in Court Theatre children’s shows, and continues her reign as a crowd favourite here as the cunning boot clad cat.
Jane Leonard’s feisty portrayal of a princess who wants to go to university to train as a vet provides an excellent role model for little girls whose happy ever after dreams extend far beyond finding Prince Charming. Seeing Leonard in a leading role, showcasing her stunning voice, makes you wonder why she has spent so much time in chorus roles.
The cast is rounded out by floppy haired Jack Marshall, whose shoemaker is likeable and accessible, bumbling along the rocky path to his destiny.
The set is basic but makes excellent use of the large screen in place for The Streaker. Shadow puppets create magic on a budget, to the delight of the crowd.
This is another Court Theatre triumph of excellent children’s entertainment. The tickets prices are affordable, and parents accompanying their children will find themselves singing along and enjoying the hour as much as their charges. With the weather preventing outdoor activities, Puss in Boots is the perfect way to get children away from screens and devices, and engaging in some fantastic live entertainment.
Copyright © in the review belongs to the reviewer
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