“It’s not the Princess and the Pea mummy! It’s the PEA and the Princess” my 2yr old sub-editor is quick to correct me. It’s a subtle rewording for a show which majorly reimagines a traditional fairytale with a modern and deliciously rebellious twist. Want a show that tempts your little girl out of her ‘Frozen’ dress? This may be it….
As a family we are longstanding fans of the Polka Theatre in Wimbledon and their commitment to producing thought provoking, high quality and engaging theatre for children.Their latest headliner is no exception. Forget damsels in distress, this Princess is resourceful, witty, and quite capable of rescuing herself (and maybe a few others along the way).
The bizarre yet familiar story of a Princess whose royal status is confirmed by a single pea under a mountain of mattresses is the jumping-off point for a playful exploration of identity and expectations. From the Queen (Emily Jane Kerr) who dreads relinquishing her crown, to the shy homebody Prince (Mohammed Manso Bangura) and the nocturnal galavanting Princess (Elise Zavou) – all characters are given a voice making them relatable and lovable.
This production expertly subverts and pokes at traditional narratives and gender stereotypes whilst championing bravery to ‘shape one’s own destiny’. My daughter particularly enjoyed the call and response musical number ‘I’ll write my own story!’ Full of positive messages of female empowerment and agency this is a an important show for both girls and boys.
The cast is small (just three members) but their delivery is energetic, bringing a range of quirky characters to life with infectious enthusiasm. The musical numbers (Holly Mallett) are quirky and the creatively functional set design by TK Hay (large opening books which open to reveal living quarters and huge dragons seemingly made of paper) deserves a review of its own.
While the story is aimed at children of 3-7yrs, the production resists talking down to its young audience. It manages subtle commentary on social expectations, all while maintaining a light and engaging tone. Which probably explains why my two year old (slightly younger than the target audience) was happy to sit through all 55mins of spectacle despite many of the themes being well beyond her. The random weaving of three cute puppet bunnies into the plot also helped!
Written by Rachel Barnett-Jones and directed by Jemma Last, ‘The PEA and the Princess’ expertly balances entertainment and content making it a great option for families with children over a range of ages.
The PEA and the Princess is showing at The Polka Theatre Wimbledon until 30th March.
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