Aliens want your underpants
A thrilling children’s theatre adaptation of wacky picture book Aliens Love Underpants serves pure entertainment for the little ones, writes
BEWARE! Aliens are coming. And they want your underwear. Yes,
Aliens Love Underpants is a zany children’s theatre production that’s sure to entertain kids and makes their parents or guardians smile as well.
Based on the best-selling children’s book by Claire Freedman and Ben Cort, the delightful show is brought to life onstage for the very first time in Malaysia by the UK’s Big Wooden Horse Company.
The madcap story sees quirky little aliens flying down to Earth in order to steal all the underwear they can find, no matter the size, colour, material or make.
At the centre of the undergarment shortage crisis that’s gripping the land is a strange young boy named Timmy who eventually discovers the elusive aliens and goes on an out-of-this-world journey with them to finally save the day.
Along the way are lots of singing, dancing and tomfoolery aided by clever video projections, colourful lighting and upbeat original music, with snappy props, sets and puppets.
It’s supposed to be fun for the whole family, mainly those aged 3 years and above. And kids really did enjoy themselves during the first show of Aliens Love Underpants held earlier this week at PJ Live Arts.
The children in different groups from several schools laughed at the jokes and, at other times, pointed and yelled out whenever the secretive aliens would show themselves.
The four actors onstage, who played various roles and characters, also gave energetic performances and hammed it up for the delighted children during the 60-minute series of crazy segments and colourful sequences.
“It’s challenging to entertain children for an hour. Unlike adults who’ll sit politely even if they don’t like it, children won’t be quiet,” says the show’s writer and director Adam Bampton-Smith when met after all the hilarity onstage had ended.
The founder of the Big Wooden Horse Theatre Company back in 2004 adds that it’s important to have well-written, entertaining and engaging shows in order for the kids to make the “right” kind of noise.
Other productions adapted from popular children’s books by the theatre company that have been staged at PJ Live Arts include Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus!, Stuck!, The Way Back Home and Monstersaurus.
“It’s important to make it a special event. Getting the kids to come to a theatre venue, having packed lunch, sitting in a different environment from their schools or what they’re already used to, to watch lots of bright lights and puppets give the experience more impact,” says Bampton-Smith.
During the show, there’s a sequence where lots of pants are given out to the children for them to give the garments back to the characters in order to help out a pants shop and save it.
“It’s an interactive show as well and in this particular case, the kids actually contribute to the story,” he says.
Bampton-Smith explains that the original book presented a simple story with very little words but it was an interesting starting point to the adaptation.
“I then expand the world out further by adding more characters and things but it always stays true to the story and the style of the book. It’s also important to connect with the kids and to talk their language and include things that they get and find funny,” he says.
When asked about the message behind the show’s story, Bampton-Smith says: “There’s no forced on message here. It’s basically a boy who makes friends with these aliens and becomes the hero of the story. People will make friends in unusual circumstances.”
Since it was first staged in the UK five years ago, the show has since had runs in the US, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Singapore and Hong Kong.
“Children are pretty similar all around the world and they react positively to the effects. It’s comforting that they all have a great and open imagination,” he says.
“Most people remember the first time they went to the theatre, so it’s really important to me that the kids have a good experience. And hopefully they’ll grow up and continue to come back to the theatre throughout their lives.”
Aliens Love Underpants, which runs from now till Dec 2, is presented by Gardner & Wife Theatre.
It will also feature a Relaxed Performance on Nov 25 at 2pm. Although open to everyone, it is specifically adapted for children on the autism spectrum or with other sensory/communications disorders, which is also ideal for very young children experiencing their first theatre show.
This type of performance — with exactly the same content and length as a regular performance — aims to provide a more relaxed and supportive atmosphere in order to reduce anxiety.aref@nst.com.my