(Above: Bryan Hiles as the Wolf in full action!)
It may be a children’s production, and is a rowdy and hilarious slapstick comedy, but it is unconditionally professional in every aspect, from technical to performance. This is, I think, what makes it work so well. (Review by Keith Millar)
You will have to forgive me if I seem a little too effusive – but I think that Kickstart’s production of Little Red Riding Hood currently on at the Botanic Gardens Amphitheatre is simply brilliant theatre.
It is hard to find new superlatives to apply to KickstArt production company. Steven Stead and Greg King (I understand that King devised and directed this production) once again prove that they are multi-dimensional and superbly talented theatre practitioners.
So, what about the production? It is not the traditional Little Red Riding Hood story but a new and fresh version sub-titled Little Red Rides Again: The Further Tales of Little Red Riding Hood which runs until July 17, 2022.
Sometime after their original encounter with the big bad wolf, Red Riding Hood returns to Granny’s cottage in the woods for a sleep-over. But, lurking in the woods is another wolf. He is not too bright and a bit of a hangdog (“hang wolf”) character, but he would love a meal of granny and young girl.
The wolf is played by the superlative Bryan Hiles. Hiles’ range of acting skills are well-known but he outdoes himself on this occasion with a wonderful comic performance.
Granny and Little Red Riding Hood have no intention of being eaten by the wolf, so they set up all sorts of decoys and booby-traps to stop him in his tracks. I am not going to spoil the surprise and describe any of the traps but as I sit here, I am still chuckling at a few of them.
My two grandchildren, who were also at the performance, are still talking about it and telling their parents all about the pranks with great excitement.
Little Red Riding Hood is played by Cara Roberts. She is her usual sassy bundle of energy. She really is an engaging actor.
Belinda Henwood plays the granny we all wish we had. Feisty and funny.
As mentioned before, King devised and directed this show. He also produced the wonderful set and the props. The set is a quirky representation of both the inside and outside of Granny’s cottage. It is almost another character in itself because of the many functions it performs.
There is plenty of audience participation with all the kids, and not a few of their parents, shouting out a war-cry and advice to the characters on stage.
The music and comic sound effects used in the production are spot-on. And everything is played right on cue.
If you do nothing else with your children this school holiday, at least get them to the Botanic Gardens for this bundle of fun and laughter. And to hear an important message about bullying.
Little Red Riding Hood is presented in association with the Durban Botanic Gardens Trust and runs until July 17, 2022.
Ticket prices: Grown-Ups R150, Wrigglies (kids 0-12) and Wrinklies (OAP’s) R120. Booking at Webtickets
Show times: Mornings @ 11h00, Matinees @ 14h30 on certain days. See full schedule of shows online at Webtickets.
Duration: One hour (no interval) and suitable for ages 4 – 12
Venue will open one hour prior to performance time so bring-your-own picnics.
Parking at Botanic Gardens Visitors Centre, John
Zikhali Road. – Keith Millar
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