The Man the That the Sea Saw is a part of the Capital E National Arts Festival for Children. I didn’t know anything about what I was going to see and walking into the theatre and seeing a beautiful set with ice burgs and pancake ice didn’t help much. This didn’t matter as right from the opening you’re drawn into the action. The story is about a man stranded on the ice burgs, running out of food and trying to get home to his family. Which serves as a platform for a lot of physical comedy with cameo appearances from a seal, puppy and a polar bear.
I’m liking
I liked the physical comedy and I liked the multiple levels of humour aimed both at adults and children. I especially liked when he pulled two children out of the audience for a snowball fight. There was a moment you could see the boys thinking “does he really want me to throw snowballs at him” and then they just went for it.
There is a scene where he rides the ice burg as it rocks wildly, it was great watching the actor Wolfe Bowart ride the berg and perform some great physical comedy at the same time.
Things that made me go hmmmm
It was billed as being suitable children for 4 to 14 years old. I took my 4 year old and while she enjoyed much of it but there were periods where she didn’t understand what was going on, to be truthful, sometimes I didn’t either. This show is probably more suited to the older end of the age group.
The conclusion
I liked the show, I especially liked the set. All around the room the kids were laughing which has to show it reached its target audience.
Capital E is a Wellington treasure and their National Arts Festival for Children is truly one of the great cultural experiences of the year – for both children and adults. If you are able to get along to any of their shows, it will be well worth your time!
