Rat Race

Performed by: Well Worn Theatre Company

No director listed

No playwright listed

‘Rat Race’ is a pop-up storybook play for the very young about an unlikely friendship between stressed-out city rat Miles and kind, easy-going farm mouse Melissa. It’s a comic play with a gentle eco theme that uses live music, clowning, puppetry, illustrations and physical theatre to tell a colourful ‘tail’ about Big Changes in Little Lives. The story follows Miles the rat who is a Big Cheese in the Big City, but when his hectic lifestyle starts to make him ill, he is ordered (by his mother!) to go on holiday to the countryside and relax. There he meets Melissa, a simple-living Earth mouse who loves the peace and tranquillity of her farm life. Miles and Melissa get off to a bad start when their worlds collide and they discover that they have very different daily routines. Miles thinks Melissa is too bossy and Melissa thinks Miles is too loud. Things change however, and so do rodents. Melissa helps Miles learn how to control his temper, relax and find peace in the little things like gardening and a good night’s sleep. Miles teaches Melissa how to really dance! After his holiday, Miles returns to the Big Smoke a changed rat, with tools to help him cope with his busy city life.

Directed by Kyla Davis with an ingenious turning set by Christelle Van Graan, ‘Rat Race’ is performed by Ameera Patel and Roberto Pombo. The play was created in partnership with ASSITEJ SA and made specifically for ages 4-6 but is totally suitable for the whole family to enjoy :) ‘Rat Race’ received a Standard Bank Ovation Award at the 2016 National Arts Festival.

Details

Duration:
No duration listed
Recommended Age:
4 years – 6 years
Recommended Grade:
Grade R+ No max grade set
Language(s):
English (first language) No second language listed.
Curriculum Connection:
Themes Covered:

Audience Comments

One of Well Worn Theatre Company’s newest productions, ‘Rat Race‘, was invited to appear at Magnet Theatre’s ‘Rocking The Cradle’ Festival in Cape Town in May 2017. The Festival is a showcase of African and South African work for audiences from 3 weeks to 12 years-old.

Winner of a Standard Band Silver Ovation Merit Award. – National Arts Festival, 2016

Highlights

Awards won: Standard Bank Ovation Award at the 2016 National Arts Festival.
Festivals attended: National Arts Festival 2016 and 2017, Magnet Theatre's 'Rocking The Cradle' Festival 2017, RedFest 2017