OBSERVER: Josephine Wants To Dance
Monkey Baa Theatre Company returns to Melbourne with Josephine Wants to Dance at the Ian Potter Centre for Performing Arts from April 11-12.
This musical production is based on the children’s book by Jackie French and Bruce Whatley with a deeper meaning around following dreams and believing in oneself.
The show includes ballet, hip-hop and a kangaroo called Josephine who dreams of dancing. Despite the protests of her little brother Joey that “kangaroos don’t dance, they hop”, Josephine dreams she too can plie, pirouette, fouettés and jetés.
When a ballet troupe comes to the sleepy town of Shaggy Gully, Josephine desperately wants to dance like the ballerinas in pink tutus and silk ballet shoes.
She ventures into town where the city ballet is performing Swan Lake and all her dancing dreams come true. In a sudden twist of fate, Josephine steps in to dance and save the day.
Monkey Baa has assembled the following creative team to bring Josephine’s world to life: Director, Jonathan Biggins (Pete the Sheep, The Wharf Revue); Composer: Phil Scott (Pete the Sheep, The Wharf Revue); Choreographer, Tim Harbour (formerly of The Australian Ballet); Set and Costume Designer, James Browne (The Very Hungry Caterpillar) and Lighting Designer, Emma Lockhart-Wilson (Where the Streets Had a Name).
Adapted by Eva Di Cesare, Sandra Eldridge and Tim McGarry this is a show for families and small children with important themes for young audiences.
Starring Lily Baulderstone as Josephine, Callum Slater as little brother Joey and supporting cast including Nina Carmen and Hannah Gwatkin, the musical is delightful for both young and old theatre lovers presenting the story in a heartwarming and funny fashion.
Performance Details: April 11 – 12
Venue: Monash University, Alexander Theatre, Clayton
Bookings: monash.edu/performing-arts-centres/event/josephine-wants-to-dance/
Cheryl Threadgold