The Magical Weedy Seadragon, Breaksea
The Rechabite, 26 September 2023
Reviewed by Isabel Greentree (age 13)

If you have ever seen a weedy seadragon, then you will agree that they really do look magical. Beautiful and elusive, they are found in Australia along the coast, in places such as the Great Southern, where Breaksea created this show with the local community.

The Magical Weedy Seadragon is the story of a young child who has forgotten how to be kind. One day, when a weedy seadragon washes up onshore, instead of throwing it back the child decides to take it home. To punish the child for their selfish actions, the Magical Weedy Seadragon turns the child into a pufferfish to teach them some kindness. 

This fun and interactive performance, which is part of Awesome Festival, follows the story of the scared little pufferfish trying to find his way home.

Inside the theatre, the stage is set up as a beach, complete with an ocean backdrop, beach umbrella and chair. Live music plays in the background as you wait for the show to begin.

The fun starts with a game of beach volleyball through the audience. The performers then run through the lyrics of a sing-along song, and the story starts.

This is a wonderful
and well-thought-out performance.

The set and lighting are very effective, as even though it is a beach scene, with the blue lighting it is clear that it is set underwater. The performers (Pia Harris, Jarrad Inman and Tadgh Lawrence) are all excellent singers, which really enhances the show.

Each performer has a fixed character, since there are some with elaborate costumes or that have special requirements, but then rotate through other parts as needed at any given time in the show. Despite this, the characters are very clear, since each one has a special prop.

Even though this is a show for younger children, there are also jokes more directed toward the adults, such as Eelvis the electric eel, who is also cursed by the Magical Weedy Seadragon because he doesn’t appreciate his friends. My favourite characters are Search and Destroy, the seadragon’s seagull spies.

The part that gets the audience excited is the talent show. There are some spectacular singing solos, and several children from the audience are selected to either perform pre-selected talents such as juggling, or judge the performances.

This is a wonderful and well-thought-out performance, and I think that although it is targeted at a younger audience, older people will still enjoy it.

The Magical Weedy Seadragon is at The Rechabite 11am daily until 30 September 2023.

Read Julie Hosking’s review from the show’s premiere in Albany in June.

Pictured top: Pia Harris and Tadgh Lawrence perform in ‘The Magical Weedy Seadragon’. Photo supplied