Hans Christian Andersen’s magical tale of a tiny girl seeking to find her real home has been interpreted the world over and this month, Shanghai’s Repertory Theater Company showcases Thumbelina for their annual Winter Holiday show.
For those not familiar with the story, a girl as tall as a thumb (Thumbelina) emerges from a flower. On her way to finding her happily ever after, she is forced to fight off suitors including a rat that wants to turn her into a showgirl, a rich mole and a ‘momma’s boy’ toad.
Set on a river bank, the cast of the show at the Ke Center comprises only seven actors who play a total of 20 characters. With few props and effects, they easily transport you into Thumbelina’s mystical world. Clever lighting and sound effects add different and exciting dimensions to the production and in some cases, fantastic comic value too. Who knew Madonna could spice up a classic fairy tale? We’ll leave you guessing on the rest….The most impressive thing about the play is the way the actors move seamlessly between their characters and you’ll be left wondering how they had time to master the lines and movements of not only one role, but several each in only three months.
Particularly standout performances come from Jenica Brittingham who plays Cat. The sarcasm and wit she brings to the character will have adults and children alike in stitches. Jenni Taylor gives a marvellous southern American accent to Widow Toad and manages to be terrifying and amusing in equal measure, while Crystal Chu is the character you will want to wrap up and take home with you, playing a charming butterfly and a very endearing swallow.
Thumbelina herself is played by Caitlin Lamboo, who also happens to be a full time lawyer. Caitlin perfectly captures the innocence and grace Andersen originally meant for the character, while portraying the desperation Thumbelina encounters at some points in the story with real emotion. Despite this being her first theater production in Shanghai, she is totally at home on stage bringing confidence and elegance to the role. SRT’s Thumbelina will take you into a world of nature and enchantment and offers a fantastic slant on this classic fairy tale. The play is the perfect antidote to big city life and an ideal show for the whole family to enjoy this holiday season.
// Dec 6-15, 8pm (Wed-Sat), 3pm (weekend matinee), RMB180-200. Ke Center for the Contemporary Arts, 613B Kaixuan Lu, by Yan’an Xi Lu 凯旋路613号, 近延安西路 (6131 3080, shanghai.repertory.info@gmail.com)
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