Adelaide Fringe Festival

The title says it all. This show from Taiwan is a lot of fun. The five cast members bring this new show to life on stage. It was fitting on International Women’s Day to see this cast of five women show the acting prowess coming out of Taiwan.

As we enter the venue, we are greeted by the cast in the audience space, making rhythmic sounds and movement. The house lights go out, and the cast moves straight onto the stage and into their first song. And from this first song, the audience is captivated. We know we are in for a good night of musical theatre.

The story is simple yet beautiful. It revolves around an email written 10 years previously. This then causes the five friends to have a reunion. Not a traditional reunion, but one at their old childhood hideout. This causes a range of childhood memories as they embark on playing some of their favourite games. Long-forgotten memories are released whilst playing the games. The audience participates by spinning a chocolate wheel to pick games. We have hopscotch, skip rope, and kick the can. As they play these games, it stirs their memories of gentler times.

And how, now, 10 years later, life has changed. It is more complex. The joys of childhood have faded. But the games do, in fact, strengthen their friendships, and they vow to meet again. It shows how important our early friendships are in our lives. We need to cherish these memories and friendships as they shape us for adulthood.

The choreography and musical pieces significantly enhance the narrative. The music includes elements of traditional Taiwanese musical instruments and rhythms. Chien-Lin Chen wrote the music, and Cindy Chen choreographed. The costumes are based on what children would have worn, with adult elements.

The venue is a little on the echoey side for a musical, but the audio team and cast coped well, and the mixing was clean and crisp. The lighting was a little on the turn on lights to see, until the end when colour was introduced. This colour element helps reinforce the strengthening of their friendships and a brighter future.

This cast works well as an ensemble. The natural acting style makes it very believable. The cast consists of Hsaio Lu, Zhao Zhao, Cynthia Yang, A Hsin, and Pei Chi. The cast is directed by Qiu-Yi-Bao Lai. He has a great sense of the story being told. This is a worthwhile show to see, so keep an eye open for it.

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