Salty Seagull Takes Off. Company Skylark directed by Catherine Mann. Original script by Marie-Martine Ferrari and Shelley MacDonald. Music by Jeff Evans. Professional. Current tour to schools fully booked. Public performances: Saturdays June 8 and 15, 10 am and 11 am, Ralph Wilson Theatre, Gorman House Arts Centre.
I like the traditional proscenium puppet theatre and marionettes, but it's hard to go past Skylark's modern mix of stick, string and hand puppets. Pre-schoolers have no problem engaging directly with the puppets, even though the operator is often fully visible and obviously speaking the puppet's words. Story-telling in this way has an ancient history: Company Skylark maintains the tradition with consummate style.
The story is about young Salty, who can't yet properly fly but pushes himself to the limit to rescue the dolphin, drowning because of a plastic bag lodged over his blow-hole. On the way an absolutely huge whale gives the tiring Salty a ride, and we see many other creatures of the sea: the hermit crab who urges Salty on; a shark, sea horses, star fish and colourful reef fish - one of whom is eaten by the shark. The acting and puppet manipulation is top class. There were many moments of delight as the children spontaneously responded. The parents, who were later treated to pumpkin and vegetable soup (the product of several days' learning by the littlies and their tireless Weston Pre-school teachers), exulted in unison as one of their children told Salty with absolute authority "You should try! If you don't try, you won't do it never!"
On the other hand I felt a wee bit squirmy about the message being reiterated by the motherly whale: you'll succeed if you believe you can, and it's all about using your "inner strength". This was new age romanticism which I guess the parents may think is wonderful, but the kids can really do without. Especially if they cotton on to the point that the shark, presented as an aggressive buffoon, actually gets to eat the fish it catches. I have no problems with the practical message to protect the environment. Drama's emotional impact is powerful, so it has to be used with extra care to support children's self-confidence within a proper understanding of reality. The little girl who told Salty he should try was perfectly logical; but the converse of her point (if you keep trying, you will succeed) is not logical nor the truth, despite the myth of Robert Bruce. This issue aside, the main message was eminently clear: don't litter the beach or your plastic bag could kill a dolphin. Dramatic, but true. Salty Seagull is worth his salt.
© Frank McKone
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