Aesop’s Fables
Aesop’s Fables is more than a simple kids’ comedy festival show – it is a beautiful way to introduce children to the wonder of theatre. The three talented performers arrive on the sparse set and give the audience a musical introduction to the morals that will soon unfold as they dramatise the well-known Aesop’s Fables.
The fable “Peter and the Wolf” is introduced at the beginning and revisited throughout the performance and then closes the show. In between we are treated to the familiar tales of “The Goose Who Laid the Golden Egg” and “The Hare and the Tortoise” among others. Tom Wainwright and Chris Bianchi play a variety of characters while composer Benji Bower accompanies on an assortment of instruments, creates sound effects and leaps into character when required. The performers work skilfully together drawing on a range of talents to breathe new life into the tales.
Highlights include the boy who cried wolf cutting loose with a jazz rendition of his wolf-cry, the crooning sun from “The Wind and the Sun” donning a gold lame jacket and sunglasses and coaxing the shepherd from his cloak and Bianchi’s energetic hare dancing his way to dismal failure. The simplest materials are used to craft the props: a paper bag, tongs and rubber gloves become the goose who lays the golden eggs, while sheep are portrayed by balloons, cotton wool and eventually marshmallows (much easier for the wolf to eat).
This is more than just a family show though; this is an opportunity to experience beautiful music, excellent performances and a fine lesson in story-telling. Taking your kids to see this show is a feel-good trip for parents – you know if Hi5 is a serve of junk food then a shot of Aesop’s is equivalent to a bowl of delicious, nutritious soup. If you can’t find any kids to take with you then make the effort to get along anyway. But I won’t bang on about it – after all gentle persuasion is often the best.
I’m a grown-up though so I’ve asked some little people to offer their views on the show:
Indigo (10): The music had lots of styles and it matched what was going to happen next. This is a really good show and you should definitely go and see it.
Eva (9): I liked it when they made the wheelbarrow sound like a donkey.
Violet (7): I liked the stories and how they did the singing. These people should do some other ones so we can see them again.
Iris (4): My best thing was when the man took his ponytail out, became a wolf and ate some marshmallows on a fork.
Visit the comedy festival website for bookings and further details