We all have dreams – some more difficult to achieve than others. But, if a kangaroo can dance Swan Lake, surely every dream deserves a shot? This is the message of the new musical adaptation of Jackie French and Bruce Whatley’s classic picture book, Josephine Wants to Dance, running at Monkey Baa Theatre through 24 April (added performance on 12 May), and then touring Australia.
The production is a fast moving 45 minutes of musical theatre delight, performed by an ensemble of four. Rebecca Hetherington is the starry eyed Josephine, who can’t help her love of dancing, despite sensible reservations from her fellow kangaroos and other animals. The rest of the cast (Chloe Dallimore, Amanda Laing, and Hayden Rodgers) are quick change masters, moving seamlessly between being everything from kangaroos to birds to ballerinas.
The action begins with Josephine, who has ignored her brother’s advice to stay with the group, looking to the other inhabitants of the forest for dance lessons. A pair of flirtatious brolgas teach her about form and line, though her attempt to emulate them doesn’t exactly come off gracefully. A duo of lyrebirds – Dallimore and Laing as glittering showgirls – are the show stealers, with their hilarious antics that inspire a few high kicks from Josephine.
But, it’s the ballet that steals our kangaroo heroine’s heart, and when a production of Swan Lake comes to town, she has to see what it’s about, though her brother again warns her that she’d be far safer at home. Through a series of most unfortunate events and a few misgivings from cast members and the costume designer, Josephine, of course, finds her way into the role of prima ballerina, living out her dream.
Josephine Wants to Dance is a compact version of a classic musical, with a great variety of songs, fantastic costumes, broad humour, and a whopping dose of optimism. We were thrilled to see Josephine earn her pink tutu.
Josephine Wants to Dance is on through 24 April, with an added performance on 12 May at Monkey Baa Theatre in Darling Harbour. It will then tour Australia (tour dates). Full information at the website.
Tickets: $29 (with discounts for families and groups)
Recommended age: 4 – 9
We were invited to attend Josephine Wants to Dance as guests. Opinions are entirely our own.