(Belinda Henwood, Bryan Hiles & Clare
Mortimer)
In true
Dahl style, the show is jam-packed with adventure, sentimentality, humour and
most importantly fun! (Review by Verne Rowin Munsamy)
One of my
favourite books growing up was James and
the Giant Peach. My imagination soared high into the sky just as the Giant
Peach did, aided by the Seagulls. Those very same imaginary thoughts were brought
to life on the Sneddon stage by KickstArt. Audiences young and old were wowed
by this spectacular production from the mystical lights to the fantastical Giant
Peach. Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant
Peach is magically transformed into this spectacle that dazzles audiences
and transported us into the nostalgia of a fond childhood memory.
This aesthetical
brilliance is designed and directed by Greg King, well-known for his award-winning
set designs, and his fine eye for visual splendour is evident in the costumes,
the grey scaled set design with bursts of colour, the innovative uses of props and
the magnificent puppets. The crooked house and its crooked content were
cleverly designed into the set with hidden entrances and the use of a revolving
Giant Peach. All of which is stunningly lit by the design genius of Tina Le
Roux. Lighting played an enormous part in the show and was used to propel us
out of our seats and into James’ world.
The show is
packed with great audience participation, as is most children’s theatre, but
everyone in the audience was thrilled to bounce around a giant orange beach
ball, be part of the crowd who gathered in awe of the Peach and pass letters
out for James, who was played so sensitively by Bryan Hiles.
Peter
Court, Nhlakanipho Manqele and Lyle Buxton offer stellar performances, but my
pick of the night has to be shared by Belinda Henwood and Clare Mortimer who
are sensational as the two evil aunts and then quickly change into Ladybug and
Spider to wow us with their physically farcical presents and range of accents.
In true
Dahl style, the show is jam-packed with adventure, sentimentality, humour and
most importantly fun! James and the Giant
Peach is running until at the Snead on theatre this holidays and is a must
see if you are spending time with little ones and looking for giant
entertainment. Show runs until July 23. Booking is at Computicket - Verne Rowin
Munsamy
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