Josephine Wants to Dance
We were lucky enough to be invited to the premier of Josephine Wants to Dance. After many days of waking up and saying “is today the day of the play” the day finally dawned and we got to head over to Monkey Baa Theatre in Darling Harbour.
The children’s play Josephine Wants to Dance is based upon the book of the same name written by renowned Australian author, Jackie French. It is however adapted so some of the characters are given more attention in the play than they were in the book. Reading the book before the play will not spoil the story or the experience at all!
Not all children’s theater is good. Sometimes it completely misses the mark – either because its just too boring or because it looks and feels budget. Josephine Wants to Dance was neither of these. It was entertaining throughout with a good pace and the attention to the script, music and costumes was brilliant!
Fuchsia the Kangaroo
At Josephine Wants to Dance we were privileged to hear Jacquie French talk about the background of the story. It’s such a special story that I have to share it with you. I’m sure I won’t do the story justice but I want you to hear it.
Josephine the kangaroo is based on a real kangaroo called Fuchsia that Jacquie and her son looked after when her son was little. Fuchsia needed medical attention and so fell under Jacquie’s care. Every afternoon after Jacquie and her son had taken Fuchsia for a walk they would come home and Jacquie would put on music for her son to listen to while she cooked dinner.
One evening when the music was playing Fuchsia started to dance. She danced around the room and over the telephone table.
Unfortunately, one afternoon on the walk Fuchsia was startled and hurt by a friend’s dog and she darted off. From that day Fuchsia didn’t join the family on their walks and they didn’t get to see her dance in the house.
But one day, when Jacquie was driving home from town she passed some kangaroos at her gate. With the music playing insider her truck and the windows down, one of the kangaroos lifted its head. Fuchsia!
I believe that was the last that Jacquie ever saw of Fuchsia.
Listening to Jacquie tell that story was heart rendering! I had goosebumps, she told it so beautifully and with such emotion.
Josephine Wants to Dance
The plot
Josephine loves to move. She doesn’t know what its called but she wants to move her arms gracefully, point her toes and move her neck. (Sounds like my 3 year old). In response to this, Josephine’s little brother, Joey, tells her that kangaroos hop.
When a ballet troupe comes to their town, Shaggy Gully, Josephine learns about ballet. She watches the dancers for hours and hours, and practices their moves at night, all alone. Unfortunately, he ballet is struck with disaster and both principal dancer and understudy are unable to dance.
Josephine gets her chance! She is called upon to be Odette and dance in Swan Lake.
The message of Josephine Wants to Dance
Josephine Wants to Dance is about more than a kangaroo wanting to do ballet. It’s the story of finding something that makes you feel alive and then doing it. Doing it in the face of everyone telling you that you can’t.
The play itself
The play is brilliant. It has taken what lies within and behind the book and expanded upon it all beautifully. From the choreography to the script to the music and the costumes, each aspect of this play is top notch. It really is quality you wouldn’t expect from a children’s play!
The cast is impressive and carry the show perfectly. Though there are only four performers the way they change characters throughout is dynamic. Only Josephine remains the same throughout. I can’t decide which character I loved the most. It could be the hilarious Shaggy Gully local or maybe the two Lyrebirds who are as stunning to look at as they are funny.
The scenes move quite quickly so kids won’t get bored and the music is very catchy. I found myself clapping during a few of the songs.
Monkey Baa Theater Company
Monkey Baa Theatre prides itself on putting on good children’s theater. And it definitely does. Not only are the plays and shows they perform top quality but the environment is specially suited to kids. You can take your kids to Monkey Baa and not be embarrassed about them laughing to loud or dancing in the aisle.
I absolutely love Monkey Baa Theatre.
Monkey Baa has been around for over 20 years and has been committed to creating inspiring, award-winning theatre for young audiences. The Monkey Baa Theater Company has adapted over 15 classic Australian stories for the stage and has toured extensively across Australia.
They care about what kids like and they take the time and effort to make their shows appeal to kids. Josephine Wants to Dance took 4 years to put together as it was work-shopped and made specially for children.
If you’re looking at going to watch Josephine Wants to Dance or another of the shows at Monkey Baa you can head over to the Monkey Baa Theatre Company website.
♦
We were invited to watch Josephine Wants to Dance but we were not expected to review the play.
This review was of our own accord based on the fact that we just loved it!
All the views expressed are our own.
