Mr Stink

David Walliams’ children’s story Mr Stink, adapted for the stage by Maryam Master, is thoroughly enchanting, full of fun and laughter for children and adults. A theatrical delight. A comedy for all ages.

CDP Production of Mr Stink is on tour in Australia in 2017 after being nominated for a Sydney Theatre Award after it’s 2016 premiere at the Sydney Opera House.

It is a simple but comical story about a lonely young school girl called Chloe (Romy Watson), who is bullied at school, and also neglected at home. Engrossed in writing her own stories, she becomes friends with the local tramp Mr Stink in the park. She decides to hide him in her garden shed, then adventures happen and secrets from her family come out. John O’Hare is a magical figure as Mr Stink, delighting the children in the audience with his puffs of smoke that seems to surround him as his character comes to life on the stage. All the cast produced a great performance for the full house of parents and children at the Seymour Centre. The cast featured Anna Cheney (Mrs Crumb, Chloe’s mother), Amanda Laing (Kate/Melissa/Annabelle) and Darren Sabadina (Raj/Mr Crumb/Prime Minister).

The set design by James Browne was a magical setting in a park, with a removable park bench and bin, that matched the back drop of the set that changed between a park, living room of Chloe’s home, Raj’s Bazzar, TV Studio and Chloe’s garden. The set was a revolving set of pieces that the actors changed as the storyline unfolded. It was a clever use of the stage.

The costumes by Lucy Scott fitted well with the story - school girl uniforms, Mrs Crumb’s bright suit, and Mr Stink’s old clothes with an overcoat tied at the waist with string.

Well directed by Jonathan Biggins, winner of  the Helpmann Award in 2010, this production is sure to win the hearts of children and parents alike in its Australian tour in 2017.

Charlotte Hanson

Photographer: Heidrun Lohr.