Left – Kirk Page and Jacob Warner. Photo – Branco GaicaA eucalyptus Arcadia adorns the stage of the Sydney Opera House's Playhouse, a herbaceous habitat for the gum nut kids, Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, artfully and beautifully designed by Imogen Ross.
As the lights go down at the commencement of the show, the recorded voice of May Gibbs, creator of these iconic characters and the world they inhabit, tells us of their inception and inspiration, a neat way of honouring and acknowledging her contribution to Australian culture and segueing the page onto the stage.
Lights up and we are introduced to Snugglepot and Cuddlepie playing at sword-fighting, full of carefree antic. Its not all fun and games for kids though and Mrs. Wagtail has brought Professor Kookaburra to lecture on that strange, exotic and dangerous breed, humans.
Instead of instilling a cautionary tale, it incites Snugglepot to adventure, igniting an excitement that spawns insomnia. He implores and cajoles his foster brother, Cuddlepie, to embark on a journey to the Botanic Gardens in the hope of getting a glimpse of these humans. Along the way they encounter friends – Mr. Lizard, Frog, Possum and Ragged Blossom – and foes, Snake and Banksia Man – to encompass an escapade that includes underwater dives, kidnapping, a dance hall and a trip to the theatre.
The casting is spot on with a wide eyed, cheeky Jacob Warner as Snugglepot, engagingly playing the inherently reckless sibling, and a cuddlier, Kirk Page as Cuddlepie, superb as the more reticent of the nuts. Their interplay between the practical and the practical joker is terrific.
Playing a myriad of roles from Mrs Wagtail, Ragged Blossom, and Snake is the accomplished Georgia Anderson. Her defined and detailed characterisations are a delight, as are the many manifestations in Christopher Tomkinson's forum of fauna, including the laddish lizard, a careworn kangaroo and a funny frog.
Produced by CDP Theatre Producers in association with Monkey Baa Theatre Company, this splendid production of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie is adapted by Eva Di Cesare, Sandra Eldridge and Tim McGarry.
This adult had a thoroughly wonderful time and can attest that the toddlers and tots attending were totally taken by the theatrical magic woven by the dynamic performances and the imagination enhancing work of the designers – the aforementioned set designer, Imogen Ross, costumes by Matthew Aberline, lighting by Trudy Dalgleish and sound by Daryl Wallace.
Directed with a fluid panache by Susanna Dowling, Snugglepot and Cuddlepie is an enchanting entertainment that enhances the literary legacy left by May Gibbs.
Her formidable philanthropy should not go unnoticed either, as she bequeathed royalties of her Snugglepot and Cuddlepie creations jointly to the Northcott Society and Cerebral Palsy Alliance (formerly known as The Spastic Centre) and both charitable organisations have been able to use these royalties to further their respective programmes helping children and adults with disabilities.
CDP Theatre Producers in association with Monkey Baa Theatre Company presents
Snugglepot and Cuddlepie
based on the stories by May Gibbs | dapted by Eva Di Cesare, Sandra Eldridge and Tim McGarry
Directed by Susanna Dowling
Venue: Playhouse, Sydney Opera House
Dates: 27 June – 12 July, 2015
Times: Tuesday to Sunday 10am & 12noon
Tickets: $30 – $49
Bookings: sydneyoperahouse.com | 9250 7777
