Emil and The Detectives

After seeing this production I can see why it was winner of the 2018 Helpmann Award for Best Presentation for Children. Even before the lights went down, the audience, confronted with a sign saying 'Do Not Press' was instantly drawn into what wonder and mischief is about to conspire. For the next 70 minutes you could hear a pin drop!

Emil is sent to the city by her mother to pass on some hard earned savings to her grandmother. On the way, her money is stolen by a strange man in a bowler hat. Destitute in a city she doesn't know, Emil is befriended by young Gustav ,who enlists the help of his friends to track down the thief and get back the money. All ends well and Emil is rewarded handsomely for bringing the notorious thief to justice.

Incredibly, all the characters in the story are played by only two performers. Katie Cheel is perfectly cast as the wide-eyed yet vulnerable Emil Tischbein. Tim Overton skillfully juggles many 'hats' as the narrator, Emil's mother, the villain Mr Grundeis (bowler hat man) as well as the numerous child detectives. Katie and Tim portrayed their characters very nimbly and realistically. A fun addition in two scenes was when a child in the audience was singled out and became a third cast member.  

The lighting design (including the use of silhouettes), soundscape (depicting the hustle and bustle of the city) and music (beautifully sung by children's choir) is cinematic. It feels like the audience is being transported back in time onto the set of a Charlie Chaplin movie. Miniature cut-outs of humans, cars and buildings and a model trainset used from different perspectives are very clever. The scene when Emil rides a horse drawn tram (which in reality is just a silhouette) is very clever indeed. A crowd favorite was when Emil and Mr Grundeis share a train compartment. Through the carriage window we see colourful animations giving us the impression that the train is moving. Another scene depicts the numerous children detectives who appear at first to be faceless. But when a torch is shined onto their faces, they come alive and tell us how they felt the first time they were separated from their parents. The responses are very heartfelt and honest. And the finale, where the stage is filled with dozens of children (who in fact are just cut-out paper dolls) is very moving indeed.   

The moral of the story?  Never underestimate the determination of a child. Thanks to Slingsby Theatre Company for giving us this production full of wonderment to children of ALL ages.

Jonathan Cox

Images:  Andy Rasheed