This summer, CDP Theatre Producers, are engaging in a spectacular season of summer theatre for young audiences. The premiere children’s theatre company has an ongoing reputation for quality story telling. Whether it’s tales of The Gruffalo, David William’s classics, The Midnight Gang and Mr Stink or their more recent efforts with Magic Beach, 91-Storey Treehouse and Room on The Broom, one thing is sure to be true. You’ll come out of the theatre with a smile on your face.
Theatre Now sat down with acclaimed director Liesel Badorrek and discussed all things magical while on her latest CDP adventure.
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One thing is clear from a conversation with Liesel Badorrek. She is passionate about ‘embracing the ridiculous.’ The Australian born literature student from Griffith University has been creating a footprint of fun for some time now. From her foundling days as the creator of Loose Cannon Arts in 1999 to cabaret with 6 Quick Chicks, Badorrek has sashayed several artistic streams. Her latest leap has been from Revival director of La Boheme with Opera Australia to Magic Beach, 91-Storey Treehouse and Room on The Broom with CDP/Tall Stories. As a theatre maker and storyteller Badorreck claims, I’m not that interested in realism. I love when your imagination can run wild.’
When asked about her latest project with CDP, the adaptation of Alison Lester’s beloved book, Magic Beach, Badorrek lights up. ‘The show is about creating your own adventures. Not with a screen, Not with your toys. Magic Beach takes you back to summer holidays and families. Creating your world with a stick and the sand. It’s about the Joy of unexpected friendship.’
She speaks energetically about all the artists involved. From the beautiful sound design of composer and sound designer Gail Priest to the magic world of the play that Lighting designer Nicholas Higgins has been able to develop, Badorreck is full of admiration for her cast and creatives alike. She generously admits with a laugh, that her ability to tell the story with imagination and skill is fueled by the talent of those around her. The artistry of award-winning children’s playwright Finegan Kruckemeyer and his ability to ‘take poetry and expand it into a narrative’ is something she holds in high regard. ‘You can’t put everything in these stories but children don’t need everything. They need to step into this play and feel the world of the book.’ Badorrek believes half the challenge of theatre is about solving. ‘You have to think about the world you are creating. There are questions around staging. How do I stage people diving deep down into a rock pool?’ This is where the skill of set, costume and puppet designer of Isla Shaw comes into play.
Throughout our conversation Badorreck reinforces how much theatre for young audiences has changed. She believes in part, this is due to the huge growth in the market and its ability to draw high caliber artists and creatives. ‘They track incredible creatives and performers.’ This results in not only a ‘high quality piece of theatre but beautiful storytelling.’
When asked what motivates her to create these engaging, crazy stories such as Room on the Broom, 91-Storey Treehouse and Magic Beach, Badorrek freely admits that the joy of what she does comes from hearing the audience reaction. In particular, parents and grandparents, ‘surprised laughter.’ She believes that the world has been hard this year for everyone. ‘Kids have ingested a lot of stress from the world around them.’ She also recognises the toll of isolation on the arts- that theatre has been taken away from people. ‘These shows that are coming back are a great opportunity to give back.’
For children with neural or physical diversity there are relaxed performances, signed performances and pre-show guided tactile tours available. Badorrek is clear, ‘It’s all about inclusivity. We want all children to have opportunities to visit.’
My last question to her extends past this year’s struggles. What’s her final wish for children’s theatre? ‘For it to grow,’ she laughs. Although she sees the incredible work that is being done by companies such as CDP and Monkey Baa in adapting stories, Badorrek
also shines a light on the beautiful, original work being created by artists. ‘I’d like to see a bit more of that. Even though it asks more from the audience. We want the audience to open their imagination. For Badorrek, this year in particular has crystalised her love and appreciation for storytelling and theatre. ‘You don’t realise how much you’ve taken something for granted and how wonderful it is’ she says. ‘An audience of people all experiencing this story together. It feels really special, to actually be here.’ With that in mind… I have already booked my ticket.
More information and details can be found here http://summer.cdp.com.au.
DATES & TICKETING
Magic Beach
Ages: 3+
The Concourse: 7-10 Jan
https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=MAGICBE21
Seymour Centre: 21-24 Jan
https://www.seymourcentre.com/event/magic-beach/
Room on the Broom
Ages: 3+
The Concourse: 14-17 Jan
https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=ROOMBROO21
Seymour Centre: 18-20 Jan
https://www.seymourcentre.com/event/room-on-the-broom-2021/
The 91-Storey Treehouse
Ages: 6+
The Concourse: 20-24 Jan
https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=91STOREY21
