A playdate is shanghaied by a mysterious green presence in a beaut show for preschoolers, featuring many Disney Jr. favourites. Colour, music and movement make perfect bedfellows and so it is in this finely choreographed production. The enticing video backdrops are forever changing to match the storyline.
In a five-minute warmup from energetic host DJ, the enthusiastic youngsters in the audience get up and dance, and learn a couple of magical moves. Accompanied by up tempo music – familiar to those who watch Disney Jr. series – Mickey enters, inviting all to come inside his clubhouse. Get ready for some hula hoops to be brought out, while Goofy makes an appearance, keen to satisfy his hunger pangs with a hot dog or two.
Spectator participation is warmly encouraged, as we are asked to draw up a checklist of what we can do on the playdate. It appears that many of us like the same things: singing, dancing, playing games and having balloons at the ready. Some mousekatools will come in handy, these being apparatus provided by a floating, Mickey-shaped computer named Toodles. I speak of a microphone, flashlight, air pump and, even, a mystery tool.
Ariel, the mermaid princess, plays a mean shell guitar, but can’t be heard and this is where the microphone solves that problem. Then it’s the turn of the Puppy Dogs Pals and Ginny and Bitsy from SuperKitties. On the agenda is a game of Hide and Seek, before the venue is thrown into darkness. A flashlight from the tool kit proves indispensable.
Minnie joins Mickey and out come three giant “balloons” (think blow up plastic), which are tossed into the crowd and spiked from person to person. So much fun! More of the unexpected follows, as a green haze threatens to upend proceedings. This is where Spidey and his Amazing Friends could be just what is needed.
They come into their own in Act II. It turns out that the Green Goblin has mischief on his mind and it takes Spidey, Spin and Ghost Spider to try to capture the elusive menace. Bring on a springy trampoline and a circus favourite, the Cyr wheel. Truth be told, Green Goblin is not such a menace after all, but you will just have to buy a ticket to Disney Jr. Live on Tour: Let’s Play! to find out why.
I greatly appreciated the lively music and the orchestrated hijinks inherent in the storyline. I loved the participation of patrons, young and older, but, most of all, the excitement on little faces. The real joy in such a slick show comes from the reactions of the littlies and they certainly don’t disappoint.
An hour and a half, including a 15-minute interval, Disney Jr. Live on Tour: Let’s Play! is a rolled gold winner all the way. And, make no mistake, the merchandise stand does a hefty trade ahead of and after the performance. To buy tickets to RAC Arena in Perth, where there are five shows on Saturday, 31st January and Sunday, 1st February, go to https://www.disneyjrtour.com.au
Alex First
Alex First is the editor of The Blurb. Alex is a Melbourne based journalist and communications specialist. He also contributes to The Blurb on film and theatre.
