A rhythmic riot that will have you rapping and rhyming all the way home.Rating
Excellent!
Big bold beats hit the stage at Polka’s Adventure Theatre this summer as The Rapping Princess comes to town. This is a modern fairytale, aimed at ages 5-8 years, that’s been inventively adapted by Annabel Mutale Reed & Jack Trzcinski from the award-winning book written by Hannah Lee and illustrated by Allen Fatimaharan. It tells the tale of Princess Shiloh, who is the only one in her family who can’t sing and who is expected to give a performance on her tenth birthday. Shiloh is under pressure from her parents and is stressed out about the expectations on her. But with a little help, her musical adventure results in a positive ending.
Anu Akinseye as Shiloh and Grace Venus as Princess Kenya and – well – about 14 other characters, give blazing performances. Even before the show begins, they’re down in the audience with mics in hand, meeting the children and making them feel part of the show. They’re a terrific team and talented performers. Trzcinski’s snappy compositions are delivered with skill and a high energy that lifts the room, while Musical Director Rob Green blends a wide variety of singing, rapping and live music creation seamlessly. The uncomplicated storyline works well for this young age group, and the more deceptively complex adaptation allows for plenty of repetition and reinforcement of key phrases and rhythms, helping the audience quickly learn the raps and joyfully join in.
Laura McEwen‘s set and costumes, too, are impressive; beautifully polished and thoughtful. Shiloh and Kenya’s modern, playful costumes contrast perfectly with the Queen’s outfit, which integrates lovely touches of African heritage to reflect her ties to tradition and the past. And with such a straightforward plot and only two actors on stage, the set itself importantly brings additional, dynamic and theatrical effect, with a central red-carpeted runway signalling the concert theme, exciting, moving lights giving a concert vibe, and even charming miniature hot air balloons dropping in from the ceiling to remind us of a wider world and family.
This is a tale about breaking tradition, celebrating diversity and having the self-belief to take your own path. In its own form, it does a great job of smashing preconceptions about what theatre for children should be. There are no fluffy bunnies and rounds of ‘Wind the bobbin up’ here. Rather it’s an exciting, modern gig, full of interesting technology and participation that puts the power to create into the hands and mouths of its young audience. Akinseye and Venus work the room brilliantly, sharing the mics around while encouraging youngsters to offer suggestions and have their voices heard. In a magical moment, it’s the names spoken that are recorded and looped to become the soundtrack, giving ownership and validity to the children, who today literally sat up in delight. Later, they’re offered more opportunities to join in with simple devices that are really fun, such as shakers and concert tickets that allocate sounds to be performed together. By the end of the show, the audience were literally jumping out of their seats, really enjoying themselves and totally buzzing. The Rapping Princess is a rhythmic riot; an excellent entertainment for a young audience with a clear message innovatively delivered. It will surely have you rapping and rhyming all the way home.
A Polka Theatre production developed with support from Z-arts.
From the book by Hannah Lee & Allen Fatimaharan
Adapted for stage by Annabel Mutale Reed & Jack Trzcinski
Directed by Annabel Mutale Reed
Music by Jack Trzcinski
Lyrics by Annabel Mutale Reed
Set & Costume Design by Laura McEwen
Sound Design by Yoji Yau
Lighting Designer by Jodi Rabinowitz
Associate Direction by Cheri McKenzie
Musical Direction Rob Green
Associate Musical Direction by Aminita Francis
Stage Management by Lara Paul
The Rapping Princess is aimed at ages 5-8 years and plays at Polka Theatre until Sunday 21 June.
