Reviewed on Wednesday April 20, 2022
Gasworks Theatre, Albert Park
This review may contain spoilers.
In my decade reviewing for Theatre People, I have had the honour of covering a wide range of live entertainment. These options include cabaret, comedy, dance, musicals, plays and special events.
Some of the shows I have critiqued specifically designed for younger audiences include Around the World In 80 Days, Egg, Kapow, Precarious (Circus Oz), Shrek Junior, Shaun the Sheep’s Circus Show, and Voila!
These experiences are invaluable, in that they introduce and expose youngsters to this thrilling and magical world up close and personal. Acting as vital building blocks to a lifetime of viewing, may even persuade a number of audience members to consider the performing arts as a future career path.
Written by Erich Kastner and illustrated by Walter Trier, Emil and the Detectives was first published in 1929. An English version soon followed, with translations into almost sixty other languages as well. The book has been adapted numerous times for both screen and television. Given its universal popularity, it was only a matter of time before Emil and the Detectives became a fully – fledged play.
The story of a child taking their first train trip alone into the big city, was simple yet gripping in its telling. Emil is carrying a large sum of money, which is subsequently stolen by the mysterious Mr Grundeis. After reporting the theft to police with little impact, Emil employs the services of some local children who help to track down the robber. From there, they expose the man’s fraudulence with some clever lateral thinking.
That Kastner conveys this adventure completely from a child’s point of view, allows similarly – aged readers to immediately identify with the character and the narrative on their level. Placing youngsters at the centre of the action paved the way for authors such as Enid Blyton, Roald Dahl, Brett Hartinger, J.K. Rowling, E.B White, and countless others.
His influence may be also seen in iconic films like Coraline, E.T, The Goonies, Hugo, The Hideaways, The Railway Children, Super 8, Warhorse, and Whistle Down The Wind. The list goes on.
Gasworks Theatre in Albert Park is known for hosting outstanding School Holidays Programs. Presented by Slingby, an award-winning company based in Adelaide, their take on Emil and the Detectives is no exception. As a total sensory experience, there is a tremendous amount to unpack in the show’s compact seventy – minute running time. Though linear in its telling, there is never a dull moment.
Intelligent stagecraft on this level is rarely – seen. But I would include Slingby’s creative presentation side by side with Come From Away, StageArt’s Titanic, MTC’s North By Northwest, and the National Theatre’s The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night Time.
Drawing on very specific elements such as shadow puppetry, pre-recorded video projection, dance, mime and human movement, truly feels like a pop-up book come to life. Think visionaries like Tim Burton or Wes Anderson, and you’ll get the idea. Nicki Bloom’s accessible adaptation seems to also draw on German Expressionist film directors like Fritz Lang and Robert Wiene.
Slick direction by Andy Packer gives this steampunk production the pacing necessary to draw viewers of all ages in and to keep them engaged.
The pitch – perfect creative team includes sound and composition from Quincy Grant, design from Wendy Todd, costumes by Ailsa Paterson, lighting by Geoff Cobham, technical design by Chris Petridis, and animation by Luka Trembath. That Emil and the Detectives allows viewers to be an interactive part of the show at key moments, is a special bonus.
Danielle Catanzariti plays Emil with tenacious, tomboy flair. At times I was reminded of Mary Badham, Jodie Foster, Holly Hunter, and Saoirse Ronin. Slingby’s casting against type with an adult actor, and that their version makes no reference to age or gender, gives Catanzariti’s protagonist universal flavour.
She is matched by Tim Overton’s villain, Mr Grundeis. Like a cross between Rohan Atkinson’s Mr Bean and Steve Carrell’s Gru (from Despicable Me), he takes on several other roles including Emil’s mother. Similar to the hit musical, The Gentleman’s Guide To Love & Murder, this multi – dimensional approach has Overton playing a handful of different characters for intentional comic effect.
Shows like Emil and the Detectives make reviewing a tremendous privilege. Here’s hoping it has a return season very soon.