Popper’s Penguins fill the stage
PARKTOWN – National Children's Theatre plays host to Mr Popper and his penguins.
National Children’s Theatre will end off the year with an epic South African premier of Mr Popper’s Penguins.
This charming play hopes to have you singing along and tapping your feet to the melodic tunes sung by the cast.
Media liaison officer, Sydwell Koopedi said the theatre had produced nine plays this year and Mr Popper’s Penguins will be the perfect end to a stellar year. “This play will take place in our main theatre,” said Koopedi.
The cast has rehearsed tirelessly to give the audience a night they will never forget. The adult professional actors rehearsed Monday to Saturday and the children rehearsed after school for three hours and Saturdays for four hours.
Koopedi added that there were three different groups of children who alternate performances.
The play follows the lives of Mr and Mrs Popper along with their two children, who lead uneventful lives in a small town of Stillwater. However, when a surprise package arrives for the Poppers their lives are changed forever.
They find a box full of penguins and chaos waddles its way into their lives. Soon, the Poppers home and hearts are filled with not one, not two, but a whole bunch of boisterous black and white birds.
The upkeep of the special birds proves to be very costly, so Mr Popper comes up with a plan to solve the problem by teaching the penguins to dance which takes them on a tour around the country.
Koopedi also shared that many child actors who have graced the National Children’s Theatre stage have gone on to have great professional acting careers. Many have moved onto television, appeared in feature films and big musicals in London’s West End. “What is most satisfying is seeing children gain confidence and a sense of self-worth as well as an appreciation of the arts.”
