A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD
A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD, Ensemble Theatre, 26 September-13 October 2013. Photos by Natalie Boog: above l-r - Jay James-Moody, Jonathon Freeman, Crystal Hegedis, Lizzie Mitchell and Stephen Anderson.
The Ensemble's most ambitious and successful foray into theatre for children returns (after the 2008 Glug award-winning season) and deserves full houses for its daytime multi-show run. It's based on the much-loved American kids' books written and illustrated by Arnold Lobel. With music by Robert Reale and music and book by his brother Willie Reale, A Year With Frog and Toad is a fully scored, witty, sophisticated show that's fun for adults and kids alike.
It works well in the Ensemble's unique auditorium which, with lighting and staging adapted from their Camp set (evenings) by Anna Gardiner and Matthew Marshall, becomes the woodland glades and dens where the simple stories of a pair of amphibian friends and their fellow creatures of the woods play out.
The slick, energetic cast of Stephen Anderson, Jonathon Freeman, Crystal Hegedis, Jay James-Moody and Lizzie Mitchell sing and dance their way through multiple roles, notably Frog, Toad and Snail (whose show-long quest to deliver the mail is the best joke for all ages) as well as migratory birds and Mouse and Turtle. (Great costumes by Anna Gardiner.)
Anna Crawford's direction, with sharp choreography by Shondelle Pratt ensures the least engaged small tot is totally riveted for the 60 minutes that, in any event, fly by in a whirl of sweetly uplifting stories about the unlikely pals. And you can do colouring in and have your artwork displayed in the Ensemble foyer. Enchanting and heaps funny.
