Reviews 2002
Reviews 2002
✭✭✭✭✩
by Ann & David Powell, directed by Sue Miner
Puppetmongers, Tarragon Theatre, Toronto
December 20, 2002-January 5, 2003
"A Treat for the Holidays"
Puppetmongers Ann and David Powell's "Cinderella in Muddy York" played to much acclaim at the Tarragon Extra Space at Christmas time last year. In case you missed it then, they have brought it back again this year. While the Grade 1-3 crowd is visibly and audible enthralled by the story, adults will enjoy the sheer inventiveness of the presentation.
As the title suggests the Powells have relocated the action of the classic fairy tale from 17th-century France to Toronto of 1834. Adults will savour much of the wit in the contrast between the two settings and the digs at present-day Toronto. The Prince becomes the Lieutenant-Governor's son, Princely Charming, honoured guests at the ball include Donald Valley and Gardiner Eastbound, Cinderella's family live in the "bush" east of Yonge Street, the ball is to celebrate the changing of the name Muddy York to the miscellany of vowels and consonants of Toronto, Cinderella praises the fresh taste of Lake Ontario water, and so forth. Meanwhile children will both learn something of Toronto's past as well as come to think of their own city as a magical place.
The Powells update the story in other ways. For adults there are clever anachronisms. The Stepmother exclaims, "When will someone invent the vacuum cleaner?" For children they have Cinderella lament what she might do with her life, become a scientist or explorer, if she were born in another time. Unlike many children's shows, "Cinderella" is never moralistic. The Puppetmongers portray the action so clearly the actions speak for themselves. When the Stepmother heaps chores on Cinderella on the night of the ball, one child behind me exclaimed out loud "That's bad!"
The show begins on what looks like a standard, smallish puppet theatre complete with curtain. One initially worries that the action will remain within these confines. However, looks are deceptive which is both one meaning of the story and could serve as a motto for the production. As the story progress the Powells use more and more of the stage space to either side of the "puppet theatre" and in front climaxing, as one might expect, with the large scene at the ball. To change to the court scenes the "puppet theatre" itself comes apart, its walls gliding about the stage, before reconfiguring themselves.
The Powells, as in the Japanese tradition, are in plain sight when their operate their puppets. They use a wide range of techniques from tabletop rod marionettes for the main characters, rod puppets for others like a pair the acrobatic mice, two-dimensional cut-outs for minor figures, down to simple manipulated objects. One is already impressed with the reception line and dance of rows of cut-out figures when that is topped with a waltz of cut-out couples turning on their own on a large turning wheel. The pumpkin transformed into the Chinese-lantern coach is truly magical. But some of the simplest actions are the most delightful whether it is David Powell moving a cloth from underneath to represent the rippling lake or showing us a distraught wineglass stranded on a desert island made from lumped-together cookie dough.
Both Powells keep all their numerous roles distinct--David identified most as the congenial narrator of the show and Ann as a strong and dutiful rather than passive and helpless Cinderella. Both take on the roles of Stepmother and haughty, giggling sisters Zelda and Imelda as needed. The design is bright and attractive and the costume changes ingenious. Director Sue Miner has admirably paced the show and Rick Banville has achieved a wide range of subtle lighting effects.
The Powells are clearly expert in how to activate a child's imagination. The children present were wide-eyed and attentive. The unassuming presentation and cheerful creativity of the Powells' production brings out, even in adults, the refreshing feeling of childlike joy.
©Christopher Hoile
Note: This review is a Stage Door exclusive.
Photo: Ann and David Powell with marionettes. ©2002 Puppetmongers.
2002-12-24
Cinderella in Muddy York