Musical play “The Animals of Aesop-land” is an omnibus play consisting of eight stories of Aesop’s Fables. They are “The Lion and The Mouse” ”The Crow and The Fox” ”The Dog and The Cock and the Fox” ”The Crab and Its Mother” ”The Ant and the Grasshopper” ”The Shepherd Boy and The Wolf” ”The Hare and The Tortoise” and “The Frogs Desiring a King”.
In this play the original meanings of fables are interpreted in such a way with unique sense of humor that makes sense in the present world that we live. It is the most important that we, the habitants of the earth, should live in harmony with the nature.
In the play we also get the audience, mostly children, involved in, interactively.
Mr. Themba Tana, a South African native, composed the music based on the traditional folk music of his country. The actors studied the music and created the instruments under his direction. They learned singing as well as dancing. This musical play directed by Mr. Yukio Sekiya who focuses on physical expression of the actors and accompanied by African energetic and lively music produces a happy, unique and inspiring theatrical space for the audience of all ages.
The Lion and the Mouse
The lion’s cozy slumber is disturbed by a small animal. The lion is upset and threatens him saying “I will eat you up”.
The Dog and the Cock and the Fox
The dog and cock become friends and start a journey together. At night the cock sleeps on a tree and the dog sleeps at the foot of the tree to guard. Before dawn the cock begins to crow, which the fox hears.
The Crab and her Father
The Father is angry at her child for not walking forward.
The Ant and the Grasshopper
The grasshopper spends all summer having good time in singing and all, without working. Winter comes and he visits the Ant and then….Everyone knows the fable.
The Shepherd Boy and the Wolf
The shepherd boy enjoys to frighten the villagers by saying “Wolf is coming!” Everyone knows what happens as the result.
The Hare and the Tortoise
One day the hare invites the tortoise to race.
The Frogs Desiring the King
The frogs that live in the polluted pond pray for the king who can retrieve the original clean and fresh water. Their pray is granted, then what will happen?