Everything Theatre Reviews, interviews and news for theatre lovers, London and beyond
A rocket-fuelled, colourful comedy that celebrates friendship, imagination and diversity, all bundled up in an hilarious hour of laugh out loud entertainment!Summary
Rating
Excellent
Strap yourself in and prepare for the ride of your life as Sam Wu leaps from the pages of the best‑selling book by Kevin and Katie Tsang, bringing the Polka Theatre uproariously alive. Backpack? Check. Helmet? Check. Bag of rice (?)? Check. We’re ready to go with Sam to select a sidekick and change him from scaredy cat to space adventurer!
Sam Wu (Sam Liu) loves the TV show Space Blasters, so he’s really excited to visit the spaceship museum with his friends Bernard and Zoe. But when it all goes horribly wrong and his arch nemesis Ralph Zinkerman starts calling him Scaredy Cat Sam, he decides to prove he’s fearless. In collecting a space sidekick he ends up with a hungry snake and a ghost in the house. Sam’s not scared at all – honest! He enlists his mates to bravely hunt them down.
There’s always a danger when adapting a book that the story will be as flat as its pages, but Julie Tsang’s adaptation just crackles with energy. Liu in particular is phenomenal as Sam, pulling out all the stops for a wacky, hilarious characterisation that buzzes with enthusiasm, whilst relishing moments of delightful snarkiness. His overdrawn, cartoon character is totally likeable, unpatronising and relatable, keeping just the right side of realistic so that even while we’re laughing (loudly!) we still feel for Sam. This actor clearly has never forgotten what it is like to be a child, and fully engages the audience.
But it’s a superbly strong team all round, with other cast members playing multiple parts – and playing hard – in some joyous supporting roles. Kudzai Mangombe is fabulous as Zoe and also Butterbutt, the ninja cat. Yuki Sutton brilliantly plays Na Na, but also little sister Lucy and arch nemesis Ralph Zinkerman, in a trio of very different roles. Ed Cooke is delightful as dorky Bernard and also offers a lovely turn as a comic pet shop keeper. There’s even a cheeky cameo from Daniel York Loh as Spaceman Jack. They work with superb synchronicity and energy, whilst dynamic direction by Emily Ling Williams creates a huge show using only a compact cast. The actors zing around both the stage space and the auditorium, and the audience are kept engaged, excited and at times surprised!
Holly Khan’s upbeat songs and soundtrack neatly punctuate the action. There’s great use of foley sounds and fab retro references that older audience members will love, which also allow for some funky dance moves. Overseen by Chi-San Howard, the movement work is glorious stuff that beautifully captures the cartoon styling of the book. Impressively active graphics by Gillian Tan blasts us into space, stars flying into the theatre, or at other times subtly place us in the varied locations of the story.
The bright, bold design work from Liam Bunster is splendidly sympathetic to Nathan Reed’s book illustrations. You’ve got to just love the funky retro set with its giant TV screen, before noticing the subtle Chinese stylings hidden throughout. In fact, probably the best thing about the show is the recognition of Sam’s Chinese culture. It’s so refreshing to see a South Asian lead role on stage, underscored by the character of Na Na and a warmly domestic moment where Sam and friends share roast duck and turnip cake (read more in our recent interview with Sam Liu).
Whether or not you know the book, Sam Wu is a colourful comedy that the whole family will enjoy. It is a celebration, of friendship, imagination and of diversity, bundled up in an hilarious hour of laugh out loud entertainment – don’t be afraid to go see it!
From the book by: Kevin and Katie Tsang
Adapted for stage by: Julie Tsang
Directed by: Emily Ling Williams
Set and Costume Design by: Liam Bunster
Lighting and Video Design by: Gillian Tan
Composer and Sound Design by: Holly Khan
Movement Direction by: Chi-San Howard
Produced by: Polka Theatre
Sam Wu is NOT Afraid of Ghosts is aimed at ages 6-12 years and runs at the Polka Theatre until Sunday 18 August. More information and booking details can be found here. You can read more about this fabulous show in our recent interview with Sam Liu.
