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Barbara Loots
THE MAGIC BOX, currently onstage at the Artscape, takes the modern musical appeal of Disney movies and merges it with the classical Disney vision. It enchants and delights with high energy numbers and a talented cast that pull out all the stops.
THE MAGIC BOX asks that its audience, especially those too old to qualify for Neverland access, suspend disbelief and let the child inside experience the wonder of falling in love with the world of Disney all over again in a familiar yet new way.
The production might not have a strong perspective as far as plot is concerned, but since when does fun have to be rational and linear in vision when imagination has no bounds. What matters is that THE MAGIC BOX takes the audience on a nostalgic journey along with Mara (Ashley Scott) who makes her entrance in a way that makes the audience feel part of the show. She steps out of her everyday life and into the realm where dreams come true if you dare to believe.
Mara’s journey begins as all Disney stories do, with the wild imagination of the Disney Imagineers who kit her out for her enchanted journey along with her new friends Mickey, Donald, Goofy, Minnie, Daisy, and of course the adorable Pluto.
These Disney originals take to the stage as the most fantastic puppets, with details that even see tails wagging and eyes playing through a range of emotions. The puppets give off so much personality it feels as if they jumped straight from the screen onto the stage. Hats off to the puppeteers who bring them to life.
This gang practically steals the show, as they should, because no one shines brighter in the world of Walt Disney than his old mate Mickey Mouse. They accompany Mara as she makes her way through a world of wonder, while treating the audience to all the fan favourites from the Disney musicals. The musical selection includes everything from the beloved classics “When You Wish Upon A Star”, “Heigh Ho!”, and “Step In Time” to the more modern favourites of “The Family Madrigal”, “Un Poco Loco” and “How Far I’ll Go”.
The way THE MAGIC BOX is conceived gives you the feel and style of a Disney showcase you may experience in Disneyland itself, but without calling on the obvious characters to make an appearance. The creators have mixed things up: You won’t see a specific character like Belle or Elsa when the songs associated with their stories are performed. Their essence is however highlighted with hints to tales associated with their characters. The creators of THE MAGIC BOX have infused Mara’s adventure with the feeling associated with specific Disney movies and characters. They, for example, place Mara in a setting inspired by Belle’s provincial town when the cast jubilantly starts singing “bonjour” at Mara as they do in the song “Belle” from Beauty and the Beast.
This recipe does allow the creators some leeway to stay true to the magic at the root of it all and play around with the elements to create something new and fresh. And they do push the boat out on some wild ideas: There’s one particular scene that had us giggling like toddlers as the apparently just slain pirates found themselves rising from the dead with Zombie-like flair mid the performance of “Under the Sea”. So, when I say this show calls on you to suspend disbelief and leave everything you think you know about the power of Disney imagination at the door, I’m being absolutely serious: Just sit back, relax and enjoy the show, because if you can do that the fun will definitely find you!
While the content of the show takes you on some wild rides, the concept of the set is exactly what it says on the label, a box. From a design perspective, wild vision meets functionality in the best way. The creators of THE MAGIC BOX show that one can do so much with a box if you use it as a blank canvas that a cast can play with, around, over and even through.
Speaking of the cast, all throughout dressed in eye-catching costumes, they are a talented group of triple threats. They are clearly enjoying performing the show as much as those watching it. The energy exchange between cast and audience is heightened and the result is a special kind of magic on its own.
THE MAGIC BOX is a delightfully fun show for the whole family. It runs at the Artscape Theatre until 10 November 2024, and tickets can be booked online the Artacape box office or online through fever.
THE MAGIC BOX, developed in association with Disney Theatrical Group, is presented by Fever, together with Proactiv Entertainment and RGB, is produced by leading local promoter Showtime Management.