The Magic Chicken

Without doubt, there’ll be some fantastic school holiday fun in April when the Adelaide Festival Centre presents the culinary chaos of The Magic Chicken, produced by New Zealand’s Theatre Beating.

Kids are in for a gastro-comique delight, as two chefs in a Seussical kitchen cook up a mad and merry concoction of punk-panto physical comedy, live music, magic, mess, mime and puppetry. As these half-baked heroes juggle pots, knives and snarling customers they are interrupted by a mysterious feathered friend. The orders come thick and fast and it remains to be seen whether the unlikely chefs can stop everything turning to… well… custard.

The Magic Chicken remains true to Theatre Beating’s tried and true recipe for its offerings; it is full of physicality and unpredictability.

Presented by arrangement with Arts Projects Australia with support from Creative New Zealand’s Touring Australia Initiative, the show is directed by Geoff Pinfield.

'Two blundering chefs in a run-down restaurant, a runaway chicken in mortal danger, a snarling customer with an anger management problem - all the key ingredients of a crazy, fun show,’ says Pinfield. ‘The parents love the shows as much as the kids - like a good Pixar film or a Simpsons episode, there's different levels of humour pitched at different age groups simultaneously. For something so idiotic, it's surprisingly sophisticated.'
He adds, 'We were inspired by the genius of silent movie comedians Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton. We wanted to tell a beautiful story in the most hilarious and offbeat way imaginable - to make children's theatre that's dynamic and exciting and intelligent and subversive.'

The Magic Chicken is performed by Barnie Duncan, Trygve Wakenshaw, Johnny Brugh and Mark Clare, with Jeff Henderson and John Bell providing musical accompaniment.

The show has received rave reviews during its New Zealand run, eg, “Like Shrek, Monsters Inc and Finding Nemo, The Magic Chicken appeals to both children and adults with plenty to delight both audiences.”- NZ HERALD.

The Magic Chicken is suitable for 5+ years.

Lesley Reed

Dates: 22-27 April. Tues 6pm; Wed, Thu, Sat and Sun 10am and 1pm; Fri (Anzac Day) 10am.

Venue: Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide Festival Centre.

Tickets: Adult $25, Conc $22, Children $20, Family (2+2) $80, Groups 6+ $20, Season Subscription all $20.

Bookings: Bass 131 246 or bass.net.au