Accessibility and inclusion are at the heart of Fancy Long Legs. This sparkly, pastel, rainbow musical adventure for the young and young-at-heart is set in a spidery world under a crafter’s table.
Based on Rachel Burke’s latest picture book of the same name, Fancy Long Legs was adapted by The Little Red Company Artistic Director and Co-Founder, Naomi Price, and directed by La Boite Artistic Director, Courtney Stewart. It is being presented as one of the special highlights of the Brisbane Festival in a world premiere season, with an original soundtrack by songwriter, musician and Yuwi Burra woman, Waveney Yasso.
Fancy is a spider who loves to create but struggles to stay focused on her creative task of web building. With the support of her friends, Fancy goes on a beautiful journey of self-discovery to find her own style and make something no one else can.
The set, designed by Burke and realised by Josh McIntosh featured a giant soft pom pom, thread bobbins, and a large-scale thimble that served as a cozy retreat space for Fancy. The overall effect was warm, creative and inviting yet gentle on the senses.
Irena Lysiuk, who played Incy, appeared on stage first to introduce herself and the show and invited little ones to come down and sit on the stage floor and watch up close in a section that was marked on the ground by a swirly rope. This offer was eagerly accepted and a welcome touch to draw in the crowd and break down the barrier between audience and stage. Each performance of Fancy Long Legs is considered ‘relaxed’ and contains ambient lighting and sensory warnings, and there’s a quiet retreat space next to the foyer and a social story to download ahead of time.
Making her professional debut in the title role was Mia Lierich, aptly portraying a sensitive spidery soul who moved everyone to tears with her heartfelt singing and storytelling. She was joined by Kate Yaxley as the bombastic overachiever Busy, Tim Carroll as the comical doomsayer Charlotte, and Lysiuk as the sweet-singing and nurturing Incy.
Burke used her signature techniques of ruffled tulle and layered lace to bring the handmade spiderling costumes to life, with each element crafted to reveal something unique about their personalities: Fancy was in lilac with extra bejewelled embellishments, Busy was in blue with a gold star for her achievements, Charlotte was in mint with a secret skull and crossbones pin and Incy was in peachy pink.
Fancy Long Legs was a beautifully told story with catchy songs and relatable characters that anyone living with neurodivergence will find something to connect with. It contained a sweet message to ‘follow your art,’ stay true to yourself and embrace your unique gifts. Fancy Long Legs runs for a very friendly 50 minutes with shows throughout the first week of the September school holidays. It includes tactile tours before select performances and a pay-what-you-can performance on 19th September. Copies of Rachel Burke’s picture book, illustrated by Madeline White, are also available for sale in the foyer.
Fancy Long Legs is on at the Roundhouse Theatre at La Boite until 22 September 2024
Sarah Skubala
Other reviews you might enjoy:
- Neon Tiger (La Boite) – theatre review
- Blue (La Boite) – theatre review
- IRL (La Boite Theatre Company) – theatre review
Sarah Skubala is a freelance writer and has lived in Highgate Hill for several years. Originally from Adelaide, Sarah has a background in library work and musical publicity. She co-executive produced the award winning short film Down To Earth and has written a comedy short screenplay. She is currently working on a web series and a novella. Sarah is a fixture in West End and can be found wherever there is good coffee and cheap books.