KIDS | Previews 96 THE LIST 3 Nov 2016–31 Jan 2017
PLAY THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR SHOW King’s Theatre, Glasgow, Sun 20 & Mon 21 Nov
‘Growing up it always irritated me that children’s theatre is considered second-rate compared to adults,’ so I made a very conscious decision to bring a grand children’s show to the stage,’ says director Jonathan Rockefeller of his new stage adaptation of American illustrator Eric Carle’s famed children’s book The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
In many ways the book is a strange choice for the stage, given
that the narrative is so slight; it tells simply of a caterpillar who gorges on food as it prepares for its butterfly transformation. Yet its popularity is inescapable. First published in 1969, the multi- award-winning book has been translated into 62 languages and sold 41 million copies. The problem is partly solved by Rockefeller's decision to make
use of four of Carle’s books in the production, but for the most part it’s the scale that matters. Seventy-five puppets are used during the course of the show, including tiny fireflies which illuminate the stage and the climactic butterfly, with a wingspan of 12 feet. Premiered in Australia in 2015, the show has been seen in
America and apparently attracted the families of Chelsea Clinton, Emily Blunt and Neil Patrick Harris. ‘It brings a healthy dose of nostalgia to the parents, and we’ve had our fair share of tears of joy,’ says Rockefeller, ‘but for the children, it will inspire them to read, paint and get creative.’
Perhaps most importantly, Carle himself was involved in
the show’s conception. ‘We had many conversations,’ says Rockefeller, ‘and he and his team were closely involved in ensuring our puppets look like they literally walked off the page of an Eric Carle book. ‘But the greatest joy was seeing his reaction when he watched the show – it was a very emotional response, with his life’s work accumulating in front of him on the stage.’ (David Pollock)
PLAY WE’RE GOING ON A BEAR HUNT King’s Theatre, Edinburgh, Fri 20 & Sat 21 Jan
Although Michael Rosen boasts a wide and distinguished portfolio career, from broadcasting to political activism, it’s as a poet and author for children that he’s most well-known. The Children‘s Laureate from 2007–2009, his career has spanned the 1974 poetry book Mind Your Own Business to his acclaimed 2004 picture book with Quentin Blake, Michael Rosen’s Sad Book, about the death of his son. Yet his most widely read work remains We’re Going On a Bear Hunt, which won the Smarties
Book Prize when it was published in 1989.
Adapted from an old folk song, the story benefitted from the watercolour visuals of Helen
Oxenbury – which Rosen admits made the story. While he wrote the rhythmic, song-like words to the bear-hunting trek through ‘swishy’ grass and ‘squelchy’ mud, it was Oxenbury who imagined the hunt being undertaken by an adventurous family, and the bear as a tragic creature saddened when they run away. This stage adaptation – a new version of the West End show – promises something messy and
fun, with a live score from Benji Bower.
‘It’s a lovely piece of simple poetry, and it visits so many interesting environments,’ says adapter and director Sally Cookson. ‘I want to add as little as possible to the words, because what I love is the simplicity of the piece.’ (David Pollock)
ARENA SHOW MARVEL UNIVERSE LIVE! SSE Hydro, Glasgow, Wed 4–Sun 8 Jan
Marvel has hijacked pop culture. After the films, comics, TV shows and toys, now fans can step into the pages of its comic book adventures as Marvel Universe Live! delivers a huge live action spectacular packed with martial arts, motorbikes and high-wire aerial stunts. The show features all the superhero favourites: Iron Man, Captain America, Hulk, Thor, Spider-Man, Wolverine and more, who take on the evil forces of Loki and his villainous cohorts.
Surprisingly, this is the first official live show from Marvel. Created by Feld Entertainment,
specialists in large-scale family entertainment, Marvel Universe Live! is their most ambitious project yet, teaming up with action and stunt co-ordinator Andy Armstrong (brother of stunt legend Vic Armstrong) who has worked on some of Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters, including Thor, Green Hornet and The Amazing Spider-Man. A cast of 50, lashings of pyro, innovative 3D projections and lighting effects will transport the
audience across the globe as heroes and villains fight for control of the all-powerful Cosmic Cube. ‘Whatever I’ve done in terms of live shows is nothing compared to the size of Marvel Universe Live!,’ explains Armstrong. ‘With an acute Marvel fan awareness, I take seriously the fact that this is the first time ever an audience will see just about every Marvel Universe hero all in one arena at one time. This makes us even more excited to reveal stunts that have never been seen before.’ (Henry Northmore)