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If you want to introduce a wee person to the magic of theatre then the entertaining and interactive show, The Perils of the Deep Blue Sea, is just the ticket.
With wonderful costumes, lively performances, an interesting location and a short and sweet show time of just 45 minutes, this is original Kiwi theatre that doesn't rely on franchised characters to appeal to kids.
The show takes audiences on a journey through the deep blue sea as different underwater scenes are recreated inside the tunnels at Fort Takapuna, on the hilltop at Narrow Neck Beach. Written by David Coddington, Perils uses a simple storyline and a sense of ownership to get across conservation messages without ever lecturing.
Produced with funding from the WWF and Department of Conservation (DoC), it aims to raise awareness of the plight of the Maui dolphin.
The play's storyline takes the form of a quest, with the audience cast as heroes. We must carry a baby Maui dolphin called Celeste through the ocean (the tunnels), avoid the perils of the title and take her safely to a marine sanctuary. The children in the audience took turns to carry the model dolphin, and it was touching to see how seriously they took the responsibility.
The walk through the tunnels includes plenty of theatrical magic, both beautiful and scary. On the scary side are dark and dangling driftnets to walk through, some slimy blue bottles to avoid, and a scary shark and even scarier tourists to watch out for.
On the pretty side are a trio of beautiful mermaids, a serene sanctuary and a coral reef where black light and clever puppetry by Waihi College students bring to life a plethora of neon marine life.
The other actors come from the South Seas Film & Television School and do a great job, especially considering they're "on" for virtually the whole day. As this is "promenade theatre", groups come through the tunnels at 15-minute intervals from 10am to 3pm - convenient for families, but a long performance for the actors.
Some of these scenes made even the adults jump - one even screamed - but it's all good fun. The light scenes balance out the dark, and of course there is a happy ending. The producers recommend that all children are accompanied, and rate it 5-years-plus.
The beautifully detailed and lush costumes are the other standout, showcasing the talents of Sarah Burron, who is the producer and the set, props and costume designer.
She is ably supported by Rhed Clift's rippling, atmospheric lighting design, a suitably maritime soundscape and fantastic make-up from students from the Cut Above Academy.
Perils is is a little bit theatre, a little bit fairground attraction, and is highly recommended family fun.
