Seven Little Wonders

Presenting Seven Little Wonders after its regional Mt Gambier debut, March 2022, Dave Brown is quite the theatrical legend.  Inducted into the Adelaide Festival Centre’s ‘Walk of Fame’ in 2020, Brown was former Artistic Director of Patch Theatre for twenty years and is much awarded here and overseas for an outstanding legacy within children’s and family-friendly theatre making.  This production also secured Dave and the PaperBoats the prestigious Arts SA Ruby Award for Outstanding Work for Young People 2022. 

The PaperBoats is an entity that researches, curates, shapes, and creates thoughtful work for young people over an extended period with dedication, artistic teamwork, excellence, and embedded knowledge.  This show invites children into the stage space as collaborators during the story, and the entire audience wears a bracelet of tinkling bells so that we too might participate rhythmically - and joyfully.  Other elements include the opportunity to participate in The Numbers Dance and The StarMan Song, the videos helpfully emailed to ticket holders prior to the performance.

A visual, multi-sensory feast of colour, light, sound, and projection, Seven Little Wonders (based on the seven colours of the rainbow and the seven notes in a musical scale) playfully engages 3-8 year olds to wonder at the possibilities of finding one’s way, the power of connection and community endeavour, and the attachment to ‘home’.

The performer/collaborators Gavin Clarke (StarMan Sam) and Sarah Brokensha (Imogen) are perfectly at home in their roles.  Clarke astonishes with his musical virtuosity, playing a number of instruments live to accompany his recorded compositions.  Both artists have an endearing presence alongside the whimsical video projections and lighting play and direct the six ‘star children’ chosen from the audience with empathy and grace.

Although the proscenium arch setting was not ideal for this production, and a few times the vocals unclear, let down by the sound mixing, the delight and magic clearly affected children and adults alike.  If you have young people in your life, do catch this performance as it tours widely.

Lisa Lanzi

To check out or round-up of Adelaide Fringe reviews, click here.