The Stage

If Only the Lonely Were Home

Published Wednesday 1 April 2009 at 12:55 by Kevin Berry

Wendy Harris saw Finegan Kruckemeyer’s The Tragical Life of Cheeseboy at the ASSITEJ world children’s theatre festival in Australia, where it had a tremendous reception, and she immediately asked him to write a play specially for Tutti Frutti. She wanted a sort of love story for children - and here it is.

The Tasmanian writer has a quirky, audacious, wonderfully unfettered way of looking at life that is fully in tune with children’s thinking. His verbal imagery is delectable. Townsfolk bring along the things they love - a photo of the wind, some lightning in a jar - marvellous.

Jason James plays The Lonely, a youngster who cannot make friends. He would dearly love to be friends with Penny, played by Megan Brooks. Then someone falls off a bike, Lonely’s dog is blamed and Lonely stays home rather than face the world. Will he ever come out?

Melancholy is kept in check. This is a tale with charm, humour and real feeling. It does not preach but it does find a way.

James appeals as Lonely and in no way is his character a wimp. He knits but really very badly and his decidedly eccentric jumpers and scarves litter the stage. Megan Brooks is a lively, free-wheeling presence. They each dance but their dancing could be better.

Composer Ivan Stott gives the actors a captivating string soundtrack, with Brooks playing live violin, and some really smashing songs. The title song is an immediate, sing-along hit.