James and the Giant Peach

James and the Giant Peach
Music & Lyrics: Maitlohn Drew. Adapted by David Wood from the book by Roald Dahl. Director: Tim O’Connor. Harvest Rain. Cremorne Theatre, QPAC, Brisbane. 6 – 21January, 2012

James and the Giant Peach is a fun show for kids and perfect entertainment for this holiday time of year. With plenty of audience participation, bright songs, kooky costumes, and a knockout set, Tim O’Connor’s production covers all bases.

Roald Dahl’s slight story about James (Jack Kelly) who owns the giant peach, and a grasshopper (Sandro Colarelli), ladybird (Belina Heit), spider (Jusy Hainsworth), earthworm (Clare Finlayson), and centipede (Dash Krock), who live in it, and their adventures travelling the world and finally ending up in Central Park in New York City, has buckets full of irresistible charm.

All performers worked well with the young moppet audience who yelled and screamed their enthusiasm with delight. If I had to single out some actors for individual praise I’d go for Sandro Colerelli’s violin playing grasshopper, Judy Hainsworth’s London-accented Miss Spider, and Dash Kruck’s centipede and his array of colored socks.

Peter Pinne  

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