All four artistic director’s behind theatre production, La-di-DaDa, (Steve Tiplady and Sally Brown of Indefinite Articles together with Carey English and Guy Holland of Quicksilver Theatre), give Arts Hub a sneaky peak into the goings on behind the scenes of their up-coming children’s show. Princesses, monsters and…Dadaism, it’s all here!
As soon as we are all gathered together outside the performance space, waiting to watch the preview performance, we are asked to take our shoes off, to get our feet dusted and tickled by the ‘palace staff.’ At this we excitedly run through a tunnelled entrance. Well, I say we, but really I mean the children eagerly run. The adults instead attempt a fast-ish crawl through to the other side however, were all quite excited. It’s funny how the smallest of changes in the right environment can make you feel like a child again. Once inside the palace we are told that, ‘the cook had gone and burnt the cake, so there’s no chance of any birthday cake, but it is time to get the party started,” and…we’re all invited!
La-di-DaDa is a fantastical theatre piece. Created by Quicksilver Theatre and Indefinite Articles the show brings together live action and shadow puppetry. This fusion creates a thrilling and entertaining spectacle which had the adults laughing as much as the kids. However, it is the children which lie at the heart of the production as the artistic directors of Quicksilver Theatre and Indefinite Articles explain.
“Children have a fascination with shadows and so have Quicksilver Theatre and Indefinite Articles,” shares Guy Holland of Quicksilver Theatre.
With every tale involving princess, palaces and magic wands, there has to also be a villain and that’s where La-di-DaDa comes in. A character for a modern audience, he is a gigantic, plain talking, hooked nosed monster that also happens to enjoy a good sing song. This humorous villain comes to life with the help of skilled shadow work and puppetry
“It seemed a natural progression to work as partners on this project,” says Guy. “Steve and Sally of Indefinite Articles are experts in using overhead projectors in shadow play and have produced several shows using the medium.”
“Guy wanted to explore what the Dadaist art movement could bring to the piece – he felt that the random quality of Dada art echoed the child’s world significantly,” adds Steve.
“The story came out of working with 450 reception and nursery children on Storytelling Storyacting, which provided a conduit into what really matters for children,” says Carey English, joint artistic director of Quicksilver Theatre. “So the simplicity of the La-di-Dada story is in tune with the stories the children tell themselves and we feel balances well with the rich visual texture and immersion in world of Princess Daffodil’s palace and the scary lands beyond it.”
The show appears seamless from an audience member’s point of view. However, the atmosphere backstage tells a whole different story.
“With four screens we have four overhead projectors and a variety of pan lights and lots of puppets so there’s a lot to do, plus there is a lighting board to operate and sound cues plus live music,” explains Sally.
“But every new venue presents new challenges,” adds Steve. “The tech run in each venue introduces us to new ways of making sure we stay out of the light when we are moving around – this often involves crawling commando style on the floor or hugging a wall or a pillar!”
Audience interaction is a big feature within the production. A pivotal part of the show is entirely made-up by the young audience, keeping the performers, on and behind the stage, firmly on their toes.
“In the very first previews it was nerve racking!” says Carey “But it’s just a matter of asking open ended questions, relaxing and going with the flow of letting one idea inspire another to build a picture of the world of the story and discover who is in it. Children are always full of good ideas and have excellent memories. We have had some wonderful stories full of monsters, journeys, magic, princesses, castles, dragons. A constant theme has been the theme of eating – either getting eaten by a monster or vanquishing an enemy by eating them…interesting view of survival of the fittest.”
“Making the improvised shadow play happen backstage is probably the most challenging thing and is certainly a highlight for all of us – you never know what is coming!” Sally explains. “My most satisfying moment is improvising the children’s made up story: sitting behind the screen with paper and scissors to conjure up the children’s suggestions in shadow play …whatever comes…elephants, monsters, tractors, Tesco’s…”
It sounds like fun! Scary but it is theatre in its rawest form, improvised and imagined on the spot, which makes for a great show.
But really forget what I have to say about it, you want to hear from a true professional in these matters, and who better than my 4 and half year old theatre companion, suitably kitted out in a sparkly party dress. Her favourite part of the show? ‘The pretty princess’ of course!
Children actually stared in astonishment, clambering to take a closer look at the final display of shadow puppetry. Looking at my theatre companion sat with her mouth hung open, only able to utter the word ‘wow!’ was more than enough for me to say that Quicksilver have done it again, unpatronising, fantastical and humorous theatre delivered with real professionalism. La-di-DaDa is going to be a real treat for all the family.
The world tour kicks off spring 2009. Keep an eye on the Quicksilver Theatre (Link www.quicksilvertheatre.org) web site for details.
