THE FROG PRINCE. Directed and adapted by Cheryl Abromowitz, from the Brothers Grimm’s fairy tale. Music Shirley Greek, arranged by Anton Luitingh. Original choreography Natalie Swanepoel. Backdrops Yolandi van Jaarsveld. Costumes Eileen Heath and Elsaline von Arx. Presented by Stagecraft Drama Studio. At Artscape Theatre Foyer at 10.30 until December 20. SHEILA CHISHOLM reviews.
CHERYL Abromowitz’s Stagecraft productions build around adaptations of a popular children’s fairy-tale, or bed-time story, and she knows precisely how long her young viewers attention span is.
She also understands how to simply, but effectively, bring home some point of good manners.
This 45 minute show – taken from the Brothers Grimm’s fairy-tale concerning The Frog Prince teaches that “a promise given is a promise to be kept – even if it becomes uncomfortable to do so.”
Abromowitz does this through her short snappy production which mixes young frogs, water lilies and two princesses with adults taking leads.
Before the show started she took time to define what a pantomime is and that The Frog Prince is presented in this style. She explained that in pantomime the villain’s appearance (in this case wicked spell weaving Witch Wanda) should be greeted with hissing and booing. She also encouraged children not to be shy about answering any question the actors might ask.
For many children attending Thursday’s show was their first theatre experience. So it made for interesting watching how closely they followed the story and their reactions.
Boys and girls sat engrossed and I laughed at one boy’s loud “gross” when kissing and marrying Princess Arabella was mentioned.
The setting is Yolandi van Jaarsveld’s woodland, the frogs and water-lilies pond and a well. Additional props changed scenes.
Dancing and singing to Shirley Greek’s delightful music this charming show showcases six petit 6 – 9 year-old girls made-up to resemble water-lilies and frogs.
With Taya Allardice 9 and Emma-Rose Blacher 11, going through their paces as Princesses Sophia and Kate costumed in pretty chiffon dresses and tiaras. Word and movement perfect, without any trace of self-consciousness, each kiddie spoke on cue in sweet voices.
However for once I felt the adult characterizations overshadowed the younger actors, whose roles were really very small. Still, The Frog Prince will make a happy theatre outing for kiddies – as well as their grandparents.
l Tickets: R70, 021 421 7695.