Baboró offers a fresh take on The Young King
An immersive and fun adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s beautiful short story, The Young King, is being staged at Baboró Arts Festival for Children, which opens on Monday. This production of Wilde's fable is from Australia’s Slingsby Theatre Company and will be presented next weekend.
The Young King tells the story of a baby boy, born to a princess and a poor man. Snatched from his parents, the prince is raised by a kindly goatherd deep in the forest. However, his life is turned upside down when he discovers he’s destined to be king.
The boy has many challenging choices to make before being crowned in a play that “has a lot to say about contemporary society and about strong moral leadership”, says its director Andy Packer
With this show, the fun starts in advance as audiences are invited to travel through The Corridor of Secrets to join the coronation celebrations. This involves a wondrous journey to a land of tough choices and rich rewards. The audience become the people of the kingdom and get to make their own crown in a workshop at the start.
On a more serious level, the show asks individuals what kind of king they would be. And it explores how the privileges enjoyed by the king come at a cost to others.
Oscar Wilde’s beautiful and tender language is central to this show, which will receive an intimate and magical staging in a specially adapted Black Box Theatre.
The Young King is suitable for ages 8+. It’s at the City’s Black Box on Friday, October 19, at 9.30am, 12 noon and 7pm (family show). On Saturday and Sunday, October 20 and 21, it’s on at 1pm and 4pm, and both are family shows. Capacity is limited.
Tickets €9 or €30 for a family of four from 091-569777 or online at baboro.ie.