Not having any children of my own, Disney films such as this passed me by a long time ago, and I was therefore, this evening, watching a completely new-to-me story unfold in front of me with the music and lyrics of "Hamilton" composer, Lin-Manuel Miranda to boot.
A bare stage and pre-recorded backing tracks were suffice to bring this story to life, since the directing and mise-en-scene were absolutely stunning. The pictures, colours, choreography, cardboard cut-outs, etc... were delightful, and I am definitely pinching the ideas of extended fans and umbrellas!!! Genius!
Several groups of differing ages were given different characters and costumes, and they all came together superbly filling the stage with the sights and sounds of the South Pacific, an island tribe in peril, a plucky, adventurous girl journeying into the unknown to save her people and return the heart to its rightful owner, some scary bits which she navigates with ease (and a little help from a demigod!), and of course, a happy ending!
There were a couple of issues with inaudibility of the spoken dialogue this evening, but sound levels in general were good, and the lighting was creative and effective.
Moana was played by a very secure and unswerving Amelia Dunne, with Finn Derbyshire playing the rather arrogant, slightly inept, self-effacing Demigod Maui with skill. A whole cast of smaller roles, ancestors, sea creatures, monsters, and even a personified ocean, all helped to create a most visually creative and extremely enjoyable production from these youngsters.
A whole group of tiny tots, possibly only three years old, came on at certain points to fill the stage-scape, helped by two or three adults. My only comments here are that the choreography given them was a little too ambitious and they were sadly lost for majority of it, and it would have been more visually pleasing if the helpers had been in costume too.
My first Moana has inspired me now to watch the Disney cartoon, and learn more about this musical. Congratulations all!
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 3.5.24
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