REVIEW: Josephine Wants To Dance

REVIEW: Josephine Wants To Dance

How much fun can an adult really have watching a show that’s designed for kids aged 4-9 years old? Add that to a theatre performance about a kangaroo with identity crisis, dressed in a tutu? The answer is heaps! From the first moments when a little girl’s enthusiastic chuckle meets a roaring whistle from an adult in the audience some five minutes in, Josephine Wants To Dance proves to be a thundering success for all ages!

Josephine Wants To Dance is a musical based on the award winning picture book of the same name by Jackie French and Bruce Whatley. Adapted for the stage by Eva Di Cesare, Sandra Elridge and Tim McGarry, it is a hilarious story about dreams coming true and the power of believing in yourself.

This homegrown story set in Shaggy Gully, tells the tale of Josephine (Rebecca Hetherington), a kangaroo that just wants to dance, because it makes her happy. Her little brother Joey (Hayden Rogers) constantly reminds her that she is a kangaroo, and that they hop, not dance. But Josephine continues to pursue dancing, learning moves from nature and birds. When a ballet troupe hits town and gets into trouble, Josephine saves the day with her dancing skills.

Majority of the humour is drawn from the interactions between Josephine and the Brolgas & Lyre birds (played by Chloe Dallimore, Hayden and Amanda Laing). The Lyre bird sequence is perhaps the highlight of the show, with a hilarious musical score providing justice to the highly talented cast performing.

Rebecca’s Josephine act maintains a constant excellence, Chloe’s Russian Ballet Director act is spot on hilarious, Amanda’s Big Annie act is funny to bits, and Hayden’s Brolga act is simply a chuckle drawer from the young audiences.

It is a story of enthusiasm, hope and following your heart, that acts as a good teaching point for young impressionable minds and a good reminder to the adults.

It’s a funny musical riot! Tag along with your kids and have fun.

Until May 12. Lendlease Darling Quarter Theatre, Terrace 3, 1-25 Harbour Street. $19-$125 (family). Tickets & Info: www.monkeybaa.com.au or  Ph: (02) 8624 9340

Reviewed by Joseph Rana

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