The 10th anniversary productionof The Tragical Life of Cheeseboyis the magical tale of a young boy made of cheese, who lives on a planet made of cheese, in a house made of cheese, with his parents who are, you guessed it, made of cheese, who is lost when his planet is hit by a meteorite and turned into flaming, bubbling fondue.
Escaping his burning planet in a red boat which floats to earth, he begins a journey to look for them and build a home in which they can find him and be together. The audience accompanies him on his adventures as he flies to the moon, meets gypsy astronomers, and sails the earth's vast oceans looking for his parents.
The Tragical Life of Cheeseboy is certainly a heart-rending tale of loss, longing and, ultimately, coming of age. Indeed, the storyteller, Bethell Slingsby, asks the audience at the very outset "Are you prepared to be saddened?", But he also asks, "Are you prepared to laugh?" and "Are you prepared to be dazzled?" and the audience, both young and old, do all three and much, much more.
Cheeseboy's tale unfolds inside an enchanting travelling theatre tent, filled with a collection of trunks and suitcases concealing interesting compartments and other worlds, maps and globes, and wonders to make you gasp with delight. Through the clever, yet simple, use of lighting, mirrors, and projections, and a mystical, mythical, original soundtrack, composed by Quentin Grant, the audience is transported, amazed, dazzled, and bewitched.
Stephen Sheehan is absolutely delightful as the storyteller/narrator of this magical tale, creating worlds before our eyes with the aid of his mute assistant Humphrey, played with great warmth and humour by Sam McMahon.
First produced by Adelaide company, Slingsby, in 2008, The Tragical Life of Cheeseboy was conceived by director Andy Packer and written by Finnegan Kruckemeyer. Since then, Cheeseboy has toured globally to great acclaim, including a sold-out season at the New Victory Theatre on 42nd Street, New York.
Slingsby's work is all about engaging with the audience and asking us to leave the anonymity of the 4th wall behind and come in, both physically and emotionally, to join the characters on stage in their adventures. Even scene changes are engaging and interactive.
The Tragical Life of Cheeseboy is utterly captivating for audiences of all ages, in spite of the serious nature of its subject matter. Through playful storytelling, it teaches the little ones, and reminds us adults, of the wonders of the universe, of infinite possibility, and the transforming power of love.
Reviewed by Petra Schulenburg, Friday 9th March 2018.