Playbox for children

Press, 11 May 1984, Page 4

Playbox for children

“Playbox” directed by Ursula Cheer for the Riccarton Players at the Mill Theatre, Wise Street. May 9 to May 19. Running time: 6.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. Reviewed by Gerrit Bahlman. Songs, children’s tales adapted from Dr Seuss, Roger Hargreaves, and many others suited to the pre-school child are included in this performance. The young and enthusiastic company generated a frisky pace that belied the creeping cold of the exposed theatre. Audience participation was the aim of the exercise and energetic efforts were made to achieve this. Playbox is yet another of the regular holiday children’s companies that has sprung up in the last few years. Performances are by adults who have a genuine affection for the response of their young audiences. These performances have developed the ability and commitment of the performers, leading to their involvement in adult theatre. The experience gained is real because if the “littlies” don’t like it, you know. Happily the corollary holds and the enthusiasm on stadfe was quickly echoed in the’jtalls.

The one-hour format is something of a standard in this type of children’s show. In that time 13 items were Ented. The Sneeches, on Dr Seuss, discovered equality after being exploited by the man with the star machine. Those snooty sneeches with stars discovered that the plain bellied sneeches had been starred. So, the stars on the elite sneeches came off, at a price of course. “There was a man,” “The Nose,” “Mr Jeremy Fisher,” “The Pants,” and a singalong with Tom Paxton’s “She’ll be coming ’round the mountain” followed in quick succession. “Mr Jeremy Fisher” was a frog which had invited two friends for tea and decided to catch some lovely harmless fishy food. His fishing line got tangled and the ad-lib by Sam Fisher, “It always gets tangled” opened up a conversation with an audience member. “Does it?” she asked. “Yep!” The singalong brought young audience members on to the stage. Questions and greetings were freely thrown at the performers as they moved through their various roles. The comB rents were received with umour and used to convey

a fun atmosphere. “The Monster,” “Green Eggs and Ham,” “Shapes,” “The blind men and the elephant,” “A handsome young airman,” and “Mr Tickle” rounded off the show. The most popular character by far was the pink-suited elephant with great gorgeous ears. Greetings to the elephant continued through the tale with lots of waving of arms and trunk in the general direction of the fans.

The properties and costuming organised by Joy Liddicoat and Martyn Phelan were a constant source of discussion among the audience. The presence of paddling pools, ladders, and all sorts of bric-a-brac kept them guessing. The shape game took on a new dimension when lolly shapes were handed out. The headless trousers and the elongated arm of Mr Tickle, all added to the element of mystery and imagination. The company consisted of Dyane Gibson, Paul Harrington, Nicki Wrighton, Beatrice Cheer, Jillian Lawson, Bridget Phelan, Tessa Thompson and Sam Fisher. The energj’ and activity kept them warm but for the little oiks warm clothing is a muster