Presented by Windmill Theatre Company and Adelaide Festival Centre
Reviewed 14th April 2021
While Hiccup! takes inspiration from beloved American puppet shows such as The Muppets and Sesame Street,it heroes local Australian animals and landscapes. It offers children a familiar yet fantastical adventure, in which friendship is “just a hi away.”
Hiccup! tells the story of Eddie (Nathan O’Keefe), an overtired camper who is looking forward to a peaceful night. He inspects the campsite with his faithful teddy bear Lucky, soon discovering that the bush is not quiet at all. Eddie meets a Quokka (Chiara Gabrielli) with a fixation for shiny objects, and a Koala (Lachlan Micklethwait) with a dire case of the hiccups. Together, Eddie and Quokka promise to help cure Koala’s hiccups. This comical quest includes an irresistibly catchy song Hiccups Gone, in which the audience sings along, and new friend Emu’s Hiccup Vanisher Amazing Invention.
The set design by Jonathon Oxlade is colourful and detailed. Oxlade crafts the outback using paper leaves on the tall gumtrees and folded palm leaf fans. The results are striking and easily recognised by children. The original score by Ross McHenry delighted the young crowd. The puppet characters have kind, emotive faces and beautiful details, thanks to maker Tamara Rewse. Co-writers and directors Jude Henshall and Ellen Steele should be commended for this original and heart-warming tale.
Hiccup! is truly an ensemble piece, with stellar actors and production team. It is a welcome and joyous return to theatre for Australian children and their families.
Reviewed by Nicola Woolford
Venue: Space Theatre
Season: 10th – 18th April 2021
Duration: 45 minutes
Tickets: $20.00 – $25.00
Bookings: https://www.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au/events/wm21-hiccup/
Rating out of 5: 5
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