Before the world can turn to chaos, Mama G has to save the day by finding three books that will help make the world a better place.
TICKET LINK:
https://tickets.gildedballoon.co.uk/event/14:6760
The Magic Bookmark celebrates the power of books and storytelling — why do you think children’s stories remain such an important way of shaping empathy and understanding?
Books aren’t telling you anything. They present the characters, situations, and environments, and then ask the reader to explore them with their own imaginations. For younger readers, even if they don’t understand what they’re doing, a book may be the first time they’ve experienced the autonomy of coming to conclusions about a character’s behaviour, without being told by an adult what to think. Obviously, a book can guide them to the outcome, but the experience is the reader’s alone. Books provide such a vast array of different emotional and environmental stories that they’re a great way for kids to develop empathy and understanding.
The show tackles serious themes like censorship and representation through pantomime and audience interaction — what makes humour and play such effective tools for opening difficult conversations with families?
I’ll combine the themes of ‘humour’ and ‘play’ into one word: panto!
Lots of topics are difficult to talk about: gender, sexuality, war, racism etc; but they’re not subjects that children should suddenly find out about when they turn 18. Panto is designed to appeal to, and be understood by, people of all ages at the same time. Consequently, it works on simpler terms. This makes it accessible to EVERYONE. It can also talk about issues in much more black and white terms. Literally good vs evil. While we all know who wins from the start, the interesting thing is that both sides of the argument are given equal weight throughout the performance.
All of a sudden, grown-ups have the tools to understand difficult topics and explain them to kids!
Mama G’s work is rooted in the message of “being who you want and loving who you are” — how has that ethos evolved through performing for children and parents across different communities?
The ethos hasn’t changed at all. What has changed is my determination to get the message to as many people as possible. The more communities I reach, the more I understand just how many people need to be told how great they are.
So many of us have been culturally taught to devalue ourselves, and it manifests in so many ways. When we’re taught to respect ourselves, we learn to respect each other too. Hopefully, a community built on respect won’t have people getting angry about ‘the boats’, because they understand the struggle of those making the journey, for instance. Or maybe Pride could just be a party rather than a protest too?
Including everyone will make the world better, and I want everyone to know!
The production arrives at a time of growing debate around inclusive literature and drag performance — how important was it for The Magic Bookmark to feel hopeful rather than fearful in response to those discussions?
So important! Hope is all we have!
The joy of panto is that it’s very upbeat, full of comedy, and crammed with glitter. Even in its darker moments, panto has a twinkle in its eye. Every panto story is geared towards there being a better future, and by the finale they’ve achieved it. I don’t think that there’s a better way to address our real-life fears than through the joy and hope of panto.
The discussions of inclusion and drag for children are led by fear. They’re born out of an ignorance that could have been avoided if people had had access to these things as kids. So I, my show, my work, must counteract that with a positive example of how great and freeing inclusion can be.
You blend storytelling, puppetry, music and panto traditions within the show — what excites you most about creating theatre that appeals equally to children and adults?
Panto is a great equaliser! It’s not just for parents and children – it’s for anyone! It doesn’t matter how old or young you are, how much money you have, where in the world you come from: we’re all sat together, watching the same show, and laughing at the same things. It’s incredible. That’s what excites me the most: bringing people together. How wholesome am I?!
Plus, the laughter. I love seeing and hearing people laugh. Knowing that someone could come into my show in the middle of a bad day, and be uncontrollable with laughter within ten minutes is one of the greatest gifts. It is watching children laugh with their parents. Stop it, I’m going to get emotional!
Following the show’s Off-Broadway success and with music by Katie Pritchard, how has collaborating with other artists helped expand the world and message of Mama G?
I’m very focused on my message and how I put it across; but working with different collaborators helps me find new ideas, and that’s often very exciting! Katie has especially given the show a musical language (and written one of the catchiest songs ever!). And Julie Yammanee, who voices the Bookmark, brought her West End talent to the role and created the most charming sidekick. She brought a vitality to the show that I feel so lucky to spend an hour with every time I perform it.
As with all my work, I am the show – but the show is representative of everyone who worked on it, anyone who has influenced who I am today, and everyone who comes to see the show and walks away bright and lighter.