PETE THE SHEEP

PETE THE SHEEP by Monkey Baa Theatre Company at Lend Lease Darling Quarter Theatre and then a national tour. Based on the book by Jackie French and Bruce Whatley. Jonathan Biggins (director and script consultant) and Phil Scott (script consultant, lyricist and composer). March 31-April 24 2014. 

REVIEW by FELICITY DAYHEW (10)

Pete the Sheep is a funny, well made musical play for all ages by Eva Di Cesare, Tim McGarry and Sandra Eldridge.

The play is put together really well. With only four actors, who are Andrew James, Nat Jobe, Jeff Teale and Todd Keys, they change into tens of different characters. From sheep to shearer's to dogs, they still manage to do it all.

The costumes are really cool. They really make the actor seem like they actually are the character. For example the shearers have singlet tops, brown shorts and scuffed boots which makes them seem like they are strong. Meanwhile, the sheep have a more delicate costume assuming that they are more fluffy and soft.

The main characters are: Ratso the head shearer who shears sheep the same way every day, Big Bob the second-in-command-shearer who pretty much always agrees with Ratso. Bungo the third-in-command-shearer who doesn’t say much. Shaun the new guy who shears sheep in a completely different way to Ratso and Pete the sheep who is very loyal to Shaun.

They change the set in a very clever way, when they change from the shearing shed to a sheep salon, everything was designed by James Browne. The sound effects emphasise the moment which makes it really seem like you are there at that moment.

I think the play has stuck to the story of the book. When I was younger I loved the book and now I love the play too. Plus it is the sort of play where you laugh the whole way through (Ed: probably because Jonathan Biggins and Phil Scott are behind the jokes). 

Pete the Sheep is a fantastic show for the whole family and it's 50 minutes long!