If you’ve had the pleasure of reading any of the ‘ Oi… ’ books, you will know that they are punchy and silly, with characters that leap off the page. Thrilled as I am to see a theatrical presentation of these books finishing its tour in London's West End this Christmas, I was immediately curious to understand how adapting such relatively short books might work. Many companies have tried and failed to make good theatre for this age group, often under the illusion that making work for young children is easy, when it is far from it!
From book to stage
The books’ writer Kes Gray and illustrator Jim Field have had their eyes on the process, ensuring that the spirit of the book is both preserved and enhanced. According to Gray, ‘The journey has been a revelation for Jim and me. Although book by book the characters have become increasingly defined, the stage treatment has taken Frog, Dog and Cat to a whole new level’
Emma Earle, co-director, explains that in order find a clear narrative, it was important to delve deeper into the relationship between the three key characters, and it is this which ties the theatre piece together: ‘We've mined the relationships between Cat, Frog and Dog which develop nicely across the books, and introduced a setting – Sittingbottom School for Animals. The dramatic conflict to fuel the story has grown out of the idea that Cat, a stickler for the rules, is challenged by the new kid (Frog) who doesn't understand why the rules are the rules.’ While retaining the rhyme present in the books, the stage show offers the audience a fresh perspective, ‘At one point we meet a Gnu on a canoe who sings a country and western style number, floating down a river with two boars on his oars’, says Emma, before throwing me possibly the most enticing storyline nugget… ‘We also delve into Cat's back story and find out that she used to be a stunt Cat with her own TV show.’
Child friendly
© PAMELA RAITH PHOTOGRAPHY
Acutely aware of how difficult it is to keep young children engaged for the show's running time of 55 minutes, I ask about surprise and interactive elements, and it sounds like the team have those covered. Children and their accompanying adults will be kept on their toes through a range of interactive moments and storytelling devices. They will play a game of rhyming musical statues led by Frog and Dog, suggesting their own rhymes to be incorporated into the show, and will also witness a blend of puppetry, animation, 2-D illustrations and music.
With two children of her own, aged 2 and 5, Earle tells me that, ‘Well made theatre for young audiences fires the imagination, encourages a love of storytelling, [and helps with socialisation and communication’. She views making theatre for children of this age as a ‘huge responsibility’, and is confident that after countless drafts and re-writes, Oi Frog and Friends! is now ready to take to the stage. Many members of the audience will be at the theatre for the first time in their young lives, and the importance of this has not been lost on the creative team.
Nor has it been lost on the cast, who were handpicked for the specific mix of skills they can bring to the table, both in terms of development and delivery. It was of tantamount importance that they were not only excellent character actors but could demonstrate impeccable comic timing, singing ability, puppetry skills and movement. However, beyond all of that, they had to have a passion for creating work for young audiences.
Young children can be the harshest critics, especially when watching a presentation of something they hold very dear. However, Emma and her team are committed to rising to this challenge, and delivering a piece that will entertain, inspire, and leave children eager for their next theatre experience. They are, after all, not only Frog, Cat and Dog's biggest fans, but the next generation of theatregoers.
Oi Frog and Friends! will be at the Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, from 29 November to 5 January, following an autumn tour.
To find out more and book tickets visit, www.nimaxtheatres.com/shows/oi-frog-friends