The Shake and Stir Theatre Company has brought to life a world premiere production of Fantastic Mr Fox, adapted from Roald Dahl’s much-loved novel. This performance was a magical stage production of the classic novel, with an interactive set, great music and wonderful costumes! It was thoroughly enjoyed by a wide-aged audience with children, parents, grandparents and even couples.
It was directed by Ross Balbuziente, one of the founders of Shake and Stir, in collaboration with the QPAC, and was a relatively large production with six actors. Johnny Balbuziente, the director’s brother played Chase Fox, Mr Fox’s son who narrated the story and Nick Skubij played the titular character, the fantastic Mr Fox. All the actors did an excellent job stepping into their character or characters, becoming an angry farmer or a burrowing animal (a fox, mole or badger). The story was slightly different to the book, altered to fit into a 55-minute production, ideal for younger children. However, it was still true to the significant and memorable moments from the novel, including the brilliant Boggis, Bunce and Bean song, to which some of the audience joined in.
The set was an integral part of the show as it used a four-tiered stage, hidden doors, and even a revolving platform to adapt to burrowing animals and the factories above ground. Animated video drawn by John Weber in the style of the illustrations of Quentin Blake, was projected on to the blank stages creating the illusion of film mixed with live actors, helping to further bring the book to stage. As the video showed bottles of cider flying across the stage, the characters caught real bottles where the bottles would land. The characters were always jumping between the stage levels, dancing, and doing tricks so there was never a dull moment.
The life-like costumes by Josh Mc Intosh, also aided in the success of the translation of the play from the book, to further bring the characters to life. Boggis’ costume was an audience favourite, featuring a very exaggerated fat suit making him wider than he was tall, played by Leon Cain, as the stupid, fat farmer. The drunken French rat played by Tim Dashwood (who also played Bean), was hilarious using his tail as a whip. Gemma Willing played the supportive Mrs Fox and Nell Lee was the paté-eating Bunce.
This production of Fantastic Mr Fox is enjoyable for all ages and had both the adults and children laughing throughout the performance. There was a great audience interaction with the characters by breaking the Fourth Wall and taking to the audience, making them feel a part of the story.
I very much enjoyed seeing this childhood classic by Roald Dahl come to life in a captivating and humorous production. This is a great play to see in the Easter Holidays for the whole family which will have everyone one leaving with a smile on their face.
Fantastic Mr Fox, The Shake and Stir Theatre Company
Playhouse Theatre, 11th-20th April, 2019.
Youth Reviewer: Jade Regan Feldman