Josephine (Rebecca Hetherington), an endearing kangaroo born with a love of dance, is not discouraged by the disapproval of her fellow kangaroos, for whom hopping at high speed is considered the pinnacle of achievement. Much can be done with hopping, we learn, in a clever hip-hopping routine from her brother Joey (Hayden Rogers), but a touchingly hopeful Josephine, despite ugg boots, broad tail and the need to scratch her ribs, pursues her dream.
Some seem willing to help her – in their own elitist way. A pair of haughty high-stepping brolgas (Rogers, Chloe Dallimore) are ready to demonstrate their expertise. Two self-congratulatory lyrebirds (Amanda Laing, Dallimore) who “can even give an imitation/ of tintinnabulation” are delighted to show that they’re “sooo good”. The witty lyrics and catchy tunes (Phil Scott) and dance routines (Tim Harbour) that capture the characteristic movement of each species are a highlight of the performance.
Josephine continues to practise until she can point her toes like an emu and continues to hope that her dream will be fulfilled despite her lack of knees. When a ballet company under the direction of an intensely Russian Madame (Dallimore) brings Svan Lake to Shaggy Gully, Josephine rushes to town despite Joey’s warnings to keep away from humans.
We see her face at the window of the Town Hall looking longingly at Odette (Laing) and her remarkably self-centred Prince (Rogers) as they rehearse. When a calamity befalls not one, but two ballerinas, Josephine in a lovely pink pancake tutu, saves the day. And indeed, as director Biggins points out, why is a gifted kangaroo playing a dying swan any less credible than a human being in the same role.
The set is a masterpiece of economy. What begins as a lovely stand of gum trees against a dawn sky become by turn Big Annie’s house, a township and the interior of a Town Hall. The designer, James Browne, also created an astonishing array of costumes, and the cast, who played an astonishing variety of roles, are masters of the quick change.
Altogether fabulous, the pace and duration of Josephine Wants to Dance is ideally suited to its young audience, who sat entranced throughout.
