The Koala Who Could
Couldn’t Bear to Miss
The Koala Who Could
by Rachel Bright, adapted by Emma Earle
Nicoll Entertainment at the Rose Theatre, Kingston until 23rd February, then on tour until 2nd September
Review by Steve Mackrell
“Koala bears live upside down in Australia and eat eucalyptus leaves” announced my eight-year-old grandson with great authority as we went along to the Rose Theatre, Kingston to see The Koala Who Could. “Told you so” he said proudly afterwards, and indeed he was right.
This children’s show, adapted from the best-selling book of the same name written by Rachel Bright, with illustrations by Jim Field, was first published in 2016. The author, who incidentally studied at Kingston University, has written over thirty children’s books, selling well over eight million copies with translations running into some forty languages. Indeed, a stage version of her previous best-selling children’s book, The Lion Inside, was successfully presented at the Rose Theatre last year. Seemingly, her colourful stories are expanding to cover an ever-increasing menagerie of different animals which, so far, have included lions, koalas, squirrels, pandas, camels and wolves. So, next up, perhaps a production of her squabbling squirrels’ story?
Anyway, without doubt, this stage version of her koala story, directed by Emma Earle, with original music and lyrics by Eamonn O’Dwyer, bursts into life with energy, music and colour. Our hero is a tree-hugging marsupial, Kevin the Koala, a lovable cuddly puppet with big round fluffy ears and a black oval nose. The story follows Kevin, and his new-found friend the swaggering rugby-playing Wombat, as the koala reflects on the wider Australian outback beyond his comfy hammock. At heart, Kevin is content as the staying-still expert, even boasting, “I keep so still people think I’m a statue.”
Kevin, being a cautious bear, doesn’t like change and wants to keep everything the same until, that is, he starts to learn that to step outside his comfort zone and to take risks can bring rewards. Hence, the underlying message of this inspiring story, is to encourage children to embrace change and overcome their worries. All very laudable, even if we do have to suspend belief, and accept that animals may feel the same complex emotions and self-doubt as humans.
The production is held together by three nimble actors – Christopher Finn as Kevin, Danny Hendrix as the Wombat and Sarah Palmer as Cassowary. As well as playing the parts of their characters they were also expert puppeteers, illusionists, vocalists, dancers and storytellers with an in-built ability to interact directly with the children.
As with many shows aimed at children, the most boisterous moments come with the scenes encouraging audience participation. The children yelled back excitedly when asked “What’s your name?” and responded noisily when encouraged to shout “G’day Kevin” or, when Kevin was about to change from the koala who could into the Koala who can, “Let go of the branch, Kevin.”
The show’s musical score was also integral to the action starting with the rousing opening number about the dawn of a new day. Another upbeat sequence, the Bush Rush Hour, was also exhilarating with its perplexing array of different animals while the wittiest, Reasons to be Fearful, was great fun with its non-stop lists of amusing “what-if?” questions. In total contrast was Christopher Finn’s soft reflective solo as Kevin, Quite Enough For Me, musing on the safe comforts of his home in the eucalyptus tree. However, it was the final catchy number that came across best, with the upbeat toe-tapping Can Do, cautioning “do not leap before you look, but once you’ve thought it through.”
The children in the audience seemed intensely engaged throughout, captivated by the uplifting story and totally absorbed in the fantasy world of the animals. The structure of Rachel Bright’s books translates well to the stage and Director Emma Earle has successfully captured the book’s fun in its presentation, as well as bringing the illustrations of the book to vivid life. The dialogue also reflected some of the gentle rhymes of the book such as “In a wonderful place, at the beginning of dawn, where the breezes were soft and the sunshine was warm.” The overall result was clearly appreciated by the young audience and, as for the “grown-ups,” they were simply happy to see the enthusiastic rapture on their children’s faces.
Sixty minutes was just the right length of time to keep the children involved and, if as a grown-up, you’re struggling to find worthy amusement for your youngest this half-term, then The Koala Who Could comes highly recommended. The kids are going to love it!!
Steve Mackrell, February 2025
Photography by Pamela Raith
Mark Aspen 