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"Thrilled" says HIPPO Author

10 May 2016

As an Author, How Do I Feel About my Book ‘There’s a Hippopotamus on Our Roof Eating Cake’ Being Adapted for Stage?

 

by Hazel Edwards

 

Thrilled.

To have your ideas taken into another medium, and done so well, is the ultimate compliment for an author.

As I watched the rehearsal of ‘Hippo! Hippo!...  the Musical’, I marvelled at how something which went wrong (leak in our new roof 36 years ago) could have turned into such an imaginative and fun performance.

But the story was really about a young child’s need for an imaginary friend. That’s universal. As the hippo moves across the stage, and the audience ‘owns the character’, it’s such a wonderfully creative moment we share.

Each artist adds their own skills to an adaptation. I think in abstract, so the colourful set, quirky props like Hippo’s yellow ladder and bright costumes add another dimension.

The music has ‘oomph’, poignant lyrics, comical situations and quirky characters, all mixed with humour.

I especially liked the range of the songs, and music from strong beat to poignant, and all child-centred. The strength and enthusiasm of the versatile young cast added vitality in their dance-songs.

Although I realize the generation gap when a cast member confided that ‘Hippo’ was the favourite book of his Mum, when she was young.

A book belongs to the reader, not the writer, once it is published. And a performance belongs to the audience, once it is acted. And the child audience was invited to participate too. So vital for this age-attention span which has a short wriggle length.

For me, the theme has always been the reassurance of an imaginary big friend with all the answers, the power of friendship and the ability to solve problems using your imagination and asking ‘What if?’

Themes are like idea threads. And Garry Ginivan’s script added a new ending and adventure for the cake-eating hippo. I won’t give that away. Just say, I’m thrilled and think it a most appropriate conclusion.

At the end I clapped and called ‘Encore!’

PS I still live in the same house. Occasionally the roof does leak. And the 4-year-old Trevelyan who first imagined the hippo on our roof, is now 40, and has written two books of his own. Storytelling matters in families and ‘vintage’ stories provide the reassurance of the familiar.

 

LINKS:

Hippo activities: 

http://www.hazeledwards.com/page/just_for_kids.html

Hippo books:

http://www.hazeledwards.com/page/theres_a_hippopotamus_on_our_roof_eating_cake.html

Hi res author photo and bio:

http://www.hazeledwards.com/page/media_resources.html

Hazel’s memoir ‘Not Just a Piece of Cake; Being an Author’ (Brolga) has a chapter of 100 Hippo History anecdotes and also a chapter on Literary Speed Dating with the Hippo which covers Q& A and fan mail.

http://www.hazeledwards.com/page/not_just_a_piece_of_cake_being_an_author.html

Available:

http://www.booktopia.com.au/not-just-a-piece-of-cake-being-an-author-hazel-edwards/prod9781922175809.html

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