An animated fox and his endearing furry friend, the raccoon – both of which come to life thanks to skilled young puppeteers – are the unexpected stars in a retelling of the ageold fairy tale of Cinderella, currently at the Savoy Theatre in Parsons Hill.
And they have been created by a company with a glittering Hollywood history.
The Rodgers and Hammerstein classic stars Alexander Road High School grade 12 pupil Rachel Saunders, 17, in the title role.
Also given time to shine are her two puppet co-stars, the handiwork of the world-renowned Folkmanis company, that have been brought into the country from the US.
Folkmanis has been behind puppet work that featured on Hollywood productions as well as making appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show.
“When we started this and I first read the script, I thought ‘oh, hell , we need a raccoon, and we need a fox – where are we going to find these puppets’?” drama teacher and play director Greg Everard said.
“We have puppeteers, great drama students who are able to manipulate the puppets, but we didn’t have the puppets.
“So, our props lady went scouring the countryside for someone who could make these props and she couldn’t find anybody.
“She finally found a company in the States, in San Francisco, called Folkmanis – they have been making puppets since 1976 [and] they believe that you can learn through puppets,” Everard said.
“Tom Hanks has performed with some of their puppets, they’ve been in a movie with Dustin Hoffman and Natalie Portman called Mr Magorium’s Wonder Emporium and the company has also made puppets for Sesame Street.
“They’re quite a big firm and we are very blessed.
“These puppets have absolute energies and life in them and you can see that from the audience – the kids are entranced by them.
“They are absolutely phenomenal and they add such value, so it was well worth bringing them to the country.
“They are honorary South African citizens from now on.”
Jocelyn Viljoen, 16, who brings the fox to life, said: “It was very easy to use because it’s such a practical design.
“I have a lot of fun with it and it’s really nice when you hear the audience’s response and see the joy that it brings to them. That fulfills me as well.”
Everard said the puppets were a big hit with audiences.
“They are stars in their own right. We even have them taking a bow in the end.”
About the production, Everard said: “We don’t shy away from the magic. It’s incredible.
“Cinderella actually transforms on stage, in front of the audience.
“We had to go and research how to make a transformation dress and we have three transformation dresses in the show.
“For the fairy godmother, we see her as this old woman in the big, leafy gown and then suddenly in front of the audience she transforms into this magnificent fairy godmother.
“Cinderella turns from her peasant outfit into her full ball gown, with tiara, in front of the audience.”
Rachel said: “I’m Cinderella and it’s great fun.
“I love musical theatre, it’s what I love doing.
“It’s a dream fairy tale – I mean, who doesn’t want to be the princess? – and there’s also the aspect to the story that there’s more to it than it really seems.
“It’s a great story, it has a great message and I just thoroughly enjoy it.
“It’s a little different, there’s obviously the traditional story of Cinderella, but there’s more to it, it’s deeper, it’s not just that you meet a prince and they save you.
“It’s about finding magic within yourself – and there’s lots of magic in the show [and] it’s full of surprises.”
Cinderella runs at the Savoy Theatre until May 11.