Gabrielle Wang‘s A Ghost In My Suitcase is the story of a young twelve year old Chinese/French/Australian girl’s journey to release her mother’s ashes. Along the way she meets her Chinese family and discovers some exciting things about herself.
Zoë Atkinson‘s set design (along with Media Artist, Sohan Ariel Hayes’ wonderful contribution) is a visual delight. Static and video images are projected onto boxes of various shapes and sizes which are moved around the stage, or expand and collapse, creating a multifaceted, three dimensional set. Ching Ching Ho and Matt Edgerton co-direct the production and there were some lovely touches, for example the bike ride was delightfully contrived. At times the production’s pace dropped a little as a new tableau unfolds but it was not enough to lose the audience’s attention. In fact, in a way, it was part of the unfolding of the story. There are a few contrived moments and the representation of twelve year old innocence and jealousies can be a little forced but overall this story will appeal to a wide age range. What the story lacks in complexity, it makes up for in heart.
The story focusses less on the ‘Australian-born child of foreign decent discovering their cultural heritage’ trope and more on the theme of a child discovering their own self worth, which was pleasing. Add to that a healthy dose of the supernatural as Celeste discovers self worth through her hereditary ability to hunt ghosts and you have a very creative and exciting new story being told. It was this part of the story where the production really takes full flight. Through Matthew Marshall‘s creative lighting and dark-costumed performers (Puppetry Consultant Michael Barlow) we are treated to floating sheets and possessed beds expertly executed by the performers. Rachael Dease‘s brilliant compositions and sound design also perfectly build up these scenes.
The discussion in the foyer centred around what age this show would suit. Most felt starting around the twelve mark but it all depends on how spooked they are by the supernatural. I guess if they are watching Stranger Things, this is a walk in the park. If Scooby Doo is a bit much, don’t even think about it.
It’s fun, take the kids and have a little spooky night out.
See production details and times below
Lynden Jones – Theatre Now
A Ghost In My Suitcase
adapted from Gabrielle Wang’s thrilling novel, winner of the 2009 Aurealis Award for Best Children’s Novel.
9 – 27 Jan 2019
Wed 9 January at 6.30pm
Thu 10 January at 1.30pm & 6.30pm
Fri 11 January at 6.30pm
Sat 12 January at 1.30pm & 6pm
Sun 13 January at 1.30pm
Tue 15 January at 1.30pm (SMH Q&A)
Wed 16 January at 1.30pm* & 6.30pm
Thu 17 January at 1.30pm
Fri 18 January at 6.30pm
Sat 19 January at 1.30pm** & 6pm
*Auslan interpreted & Audio described. Tactile Tour at 12.30pm.
**Captioned Performance
Venue: SOH: Dram Theatre
Theatre Company: Helen Hristofski
Duration: Aprox 75 Minutes, no interval
A breathtaking and magical adventure about grief, hunting for ghosts and a secret family gift, adapted from Gabrielle Wang’s thrilling novel, winner of the 2009 Aurealis Award for Best Children’s Novel.
Leaving behind her grieving father and brother in Australia, twelve-year-old Celeste travels to Shanghai to scatter her Chinese mother’s ashes in the Isle of Clouds, her 500-year-old ancestral home.
In a land she finds puzzlingly familiar, Celeste meets her gutsy, ghost-hunting grandmother, Por Por, for the first time, and also discovers her own spirit-chasing powers. Soon, Celeste is swept into a hair-raising battle, defying dangerous ancient spirits and teaming up with the hostile Ting Ting, Por Por’s adopted child, in a race to save her grandmother.
Written by Vanessa Bates and directed by Matt Edgerton and Ching Ching Ho, Barking Gecko’s beguiling and breathtaking stage production is suitable for ages 8+.
“Wang uses beautifully depicted characters and intricate settings to flesh out this elegant tale about memory [and] cultural identity” – Aurealis Award Judges
Author: Gabrielle Wang
Playwright: Vanessa Bates
Co-Directors: Ching Ching Ho & Matt Edgerton
Set & Costume Designer: Zoë Atkinson
Lighting Designer: Matthew Marshall
Composer & Sound Designer: Rachael Dease
Media Artist: Sohan Ariel Hayes
Fight Director: Andy Fraser
Puppetry Consultant: Michael Barlow
Production Manager: Andrew Portwine
Assistant Production Manager: Michael Maclean
Stage Manager: Emily Stokoe
Assistant Stage Manager: Leigh Gardener
Sound Operator and Programmer: Tim Collins
Stage Technician: Matt McCabe
Set Construction: The Black Swan Workshop
Additional Set Construction: Plumb Arts Workshop
Costume Construction: Sara Walker
Costume Assistant: Nicole Marrington
Media Assistant: Jake Bamford
Producer: Helen Hristofski
Creative Learning Resources: Libby Klysz
CAST
Celeste: Alice Keohavong
Por Por: Amanda Ma
Ting Ting: Yilin Kong
Female Ensemble: Frieda Lee
Male Ensemble: Imanuel Dado
Images: Stefan Gosatti, Daniel Grant
Ticket Prices
$56 – $71 + bf
