This week our little family headed to the Sydney Opera House to see Cautionary Tales for Children, a modern and curious cabaret based on Joseph Hilaire Pierre René Belloc’s verse. Belloc was one of the most prolific English writers during the early twentieth century. He was most famous for his cautionary tales for children, which are quite satirical, a tad gory and totally mischievous in flavour. Roald Dahl was certainly a fan and was inspired so much by Belloc that his style is no doubt apparent in much of Dahl’s work.
Starring the incredibly talented Virginia Gay (from TV’s Winners & Losers and All Saints), the Cautionary Tales for Children promised to be entertaining, but in what capacity? Would we laugh? Would the kids cringe? Turns out the performance managed to provide a suite of emotions across the length it ran.
Cautionary Tales for Children is certainly entertaining and quickly had the kids holding their tummies with laughter. They were super excited by the prospect of participating in the story with Miss N almost bursting to be picked to go on stage or to be called on to provide her answer. My hint is to sit up front on the floor if you wish it to be you! The tales also show the darker side of the world at times, not all good things are rewarded and naughtiness is likely to end in consequences.
For me, well I found Cautionary Tales for Children unexpectedly wicked and full of black humour which had me gasping for breath at times. I was overwhelmed with delight to discover that Virginia Gray has an incredible voice and that she has an uncanny ability to ad-lib when needed such as the time one child provided “Nerf gun” to her question of a favourite toy which she then weaved into the script. I’ve become a BIG fan and will be looking out for her in future theatre productions
Bump in at @SydOperaHouse today! Just hanging out with my entirely unterrifying dressing room buddy. @arenatheatre pic.twitter.com/AtiqzB3DjD
— Virginia Gay (@virginia_gay) April 19, 2016
Whilst we totally loved the show, a word of warning: Belloc’s verse can be a little dense at times and some vocabulary will need an explanation. I recommend Cautionary Tales for Children for those 7 years+ who will be able to make inferences and fill in the gaps when they don’t completely understand a word.
Cautionary Tales for Children is currently on stage at the Sydney Opera House until 24 April Tickets from $24.00.
We were guests of Sydney Opera House. All opinions are our own.