(Chanel Meager as Rapunzel)
Unsophisticated and honest presentation of
a Brothers Grimm classic tale. (Review by Caroline Smart)
Catalina
Theatre was abuzz yesterday afternoon with youngsters eagerly awaiting the
start of Rapunzel,
directed and scripted by Sandy Bigara.
In
her talk to the audience before the show, Bigara makes it clear that she hasn’t
set out to “Disney-fy” this adaptation of the Brothers Grimm classic tale. It’s
an unsophisticated and honest presentation with some effective set pieces (especially
an impressive owl) which sees the welcome appearance of new faces on the local
stage.
Bigara
also introduced an innovative way to remind youngsters that people should view going
to the theatre as an exciting occasion and dress smartly. To this end, she
awarded Male and Female Best-Dressed awards (spotted by lookouts in the foyer before
the show) and these were won by two well-attired youngsters who fairly burst
with pride!
The initial moral of the story is that if you do something wrong, you
will eventually have to pay for it. We see a long-suffering husband, pandering
to his pregnant wife’s desperate need for a rapunzel (a salad-type plant), resorting
to stealing the vegetables from his neighbour. A harridan of note, it turns out
she’s an enchantress. She catches him one night and says she will only let him go
without punishment if he gives her his newborn baby.
This he is forced to do and the enchantress incarcerates the young
Rapunzel (as she is named) in the tower of her castle. Acting as Rapunzel’s
mother, she forbids the young girl to go out of doors and the girl’s luxuriant long
hair tossed out of the window provides the only access into her domain. It also
provides access to a handsome young prince who Rapunzel meets from her lofty
window. When the enchantress is away, she invites the prince in and so develops
a loving friendship. Many trials and tribulations follow but, as in all good
tales, there is a happy ending.
Chanel Meager is charming as Rapunzel with Kimeshan Kandan doubling effectively
as the long-suffering husband and the handsome prince. Ndalo Mchunu plays the
wife and the enchantress while Savanna Bigara is the young Rapunzel and a perky
cat. At the end, it was noticeable that Ndalo Mchunu has good dance skills and
I would have liked to have seen these explored further. I would also have liked
more dramatic modulation and a little less stridency from her.
As an added bonus, Catalina has teamed up with Casadena Spur at
Wilson's Wharf and Sarie Marais harbour boat rides to offer the best value for
family fun in Durban. Make a day of it by booking a show, lunch and boat ride,
all with just one ticket.
At the opening of Bhagwan Gave Me
this Life in this venue the night before, I noticed that there was a strong
metallic squeaking from the seats as the audience rose for a moment’s silence in
tribute to Nelson Mandela. With wriggly excited children in Rapunzel, the noise becomes considerably
invasive. I suggest urgent attention is required on the seat mechanisms as the problem
seems fairly widespread!
Rapunzel is suitable for
the whole family and runs until January 4 at Catalina Theatre on Wilson’s Wharf
with performances Monday to Friday at 14h00 (Saturdays at 11h00). Tickets R80 for
children, R100 for adults show only. Bookings: 0861 915 8000 or online at http://online.computicket.com/web/event/rapunzel/779380773/0/57526090
Enquiries or discounted school block bookings to 031 837 5999 or 072 795
5965. – Caroline Smart
Posts
