I recently spoke to Stuart Little director Heather Heron about why she chose the play for this year’s Playhouse performances.
Heron responded with that she loves the story, which was the first novel written by EB White, and this year being the 60th anniversary of the novel it is an opportune time to stage it.
The play was adapted by Joseph Robinette with EB White’s blessings from the book. This production unlike the modernised movies has set the play in its original milieu of the forties which allows canvassing of the beautiful, elegant ladies clothing and hats.
The story of Stuart Little is very much the mythological hero’s journey, as Stuart leaves the comfort of family life to travel to the big city. He is a little mouse in a society where everything is big and the way this comparison is handled in the play is expertly done with great timing as objects of their normal size undergo a magnification as they make their way to Stuart’s paws.
The story is also about friendship and love, as Stuart, in his hero’s journey searches for his friend Margalo. As to how the characters are represented Heron says that Stuart, is outfitted with ears that stick out of his hat and a tail, nose and whiskers. Stuart is a dapper dresser and wears nifty red converse shoes.
Margalo is fitted with her signature hat and goggles and resplendent wings.
The story has messages for children of today, that is, it is okay to make mistakes and that this helps build resilience. The other messages are the importance of family and of course to enjoy your summers.
Stuart Little is playing until Saturday 19 April at the Playhouse in Hobart.
