Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge

Unable to attend the official press night for Spare Parts Puppet Theatre’s new production, Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge, I had the pleasure of seeing the show as part of the school season, with the Year One students from East Fremantle Primary School, their teachers, and adults from the school community.

The best way to see Spare Parts shows is with an audience of children, as it shows how well this company understands the mind of a child, and it is great fun to hear shrieks of delight and bursts of chatter when something unexpected happens. The children in the audience were beautifully behaved and were simply rapt and absorbed by what was happening on stage.

Faithful to the much-loved children’s book, Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge, tells of Wilfred, a young boy who lives next door to an aged care home, and the relationship he has with the residents - especially the oldest resident, Miss Nancy, who has lost her memory. The story follows Wilfrid’s quest to find what a memory is, and how to find Miss Nancy’s memories.

Expertly performed by Michael Barlow and Tamara Creasey, the pair play carers in the Home, as well as manipulate the puppets - in particular the life size puppets that are the absolutely adorable Wilfrid, and the lovely Miss Nancy.

What makes this show unique is that they are joined on stage by five adult audience members who play the other residents of the nursing home. After a briefing session before the show, the brand-new-actors take to the stage, with some given the chance to share their own memories and ideas. It will mean that every show is different, and that some young audience members will have the joy of seeing parents or grandparents on stage. The audience members from East Fremantle did a superb job.

A simple but subtly detailed set served the show well, and a lively composition from Melanie Robinson was great fun. Evocative lighting design from Lucy Birkinshaw added to the warmth of this production.

Having seen nearly every Spare Parts Puppet production for a quarter of a century or so, Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge is probably my personal favourite. A warm hug of show, it is certain to delight children and adults alike.

Kimberley Shaw

Photographer: Louise Coghill