Fresh take on fairy tales filled with modern quips
Show #8: The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon Where: Cairine Wilson Secondary School Director: Students Mia Gutsell and Shahriar Kibria
As the curtains parted like the cracking of a new book, ink instantly began to spill onto the stage of Cairine Wilson Secondary School, writing a familiar world of little girls dressed in red, princes with frog lips and mothers of evil nature. The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon provided its audience with the perfect balance of magical fantasy and fitful humour seen only in the minds and hearts of high school students.
The most formidable acting troupe in the country has come together to demonstrate the wonder of the original Grimm fairy tales. However, with every passing scene the production loses control until only one actor is left to finish the show. Written in 2007, The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon attempts to bring a fresh and modern take on the classic stories collected by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm. Don Zolidis’ script is bursting at the seams with clever quips and tricks that easily seize the audience’s attention and transport them through the interwoven plot of 209 fairy tales.
Guiding the show along its zigzag course were Maya Thomas and Aidan McCulloch as the narrators. Both Thomas and McCulloch effectively used speech, body language and inflection to portray contrasting personalities that highlighted the other’s performance. Whether it was in the background of a scene or while interacting with the audience, the duo had surefire confidence and heartwarming charisma. Though Thomas and McCulloch directed the action on stage, behind the scenes, Mia Gutsell and Shahriar Kibria demonstrated amicable pacing and creative ability as student directors.
Demonstrating an aptness for comedy, Olivia Gault shone as Hansel and Grandma with bold character choices. Gault brought over-exaggerated physicality as well as nuanced moments, like the twitch of the tongue, to sell her personalities. Likewise, Brendan Mackenzie owned his scene as Rumplestiltskin, tackling the barrier of an intricate mask with a high-pitched, maniacal voice that resounded throughout the auditorium. Also worthy of mention was the talent of Erik Taylor-Tapp who was able to fill the stage with multiple personas in an almost chameleonic fashion. Taylor-Tapp energetically changed his voice, movement and presence to fit numerous characters in what became a one-man show.
What uniquely brought the production together was the cohesiveness of its technical aspects. All were designed with linear and defined strokes that exemplified the storybook theme. Costumes were both individualistic and durable, adding to each character’s identity. The set was handcrafted with detail, and was laid out in many levels and depths, broadening the overall environment. Clouds floated in the sky, leaves rustled with movement, and a large book, which expanded across the stage, held many surprises as characters came and went throughout the duration of the piece.
Though the energy, at times, seemed to slump between scenes, it always picked up in many cumulative events that had action transferring from stage left to stage right with ease. Most impressive, however, was the actors’ bluntly sarcastic delivery anchored in modern cultural perspectives and attitudes.
From the first page to the very last, it was clear that the production students of Cairine Wilson assembled their show with extreme care and thought. Built from the ground up, each element of this fairy tale world shared a truthful authenticity and purpose. It wasn’t perfection that led the production to thrive, but its uniqueness that made it such a truly enjoyable and charming night of theatre.
Next review: Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School’s production of Annie.
Most impressive ... was the actors’ bluntly sarcastic delivery anchored in modern cultural perspectives and attitudes.