Gillian Tan

A brand new musical for Polka Theatre, co-created and directed by Sarah Punshon and Toni-Dee Paul — and the first production to play on Polka’s newly rebuilt Main Stage. Cinderella: the Awesome Truth was developed through conversations with children and scientists about the classic story and healthy body image, and it shows: the piece has the confidence of something made with its audience in mind, not just for them.

Felix Hagan’s score gives it real pop energy, and Oliver Townsend’s design builds a world that earns its magic. The video and lighting design had to deliver on the “special effects” promise of a festive family show — transformation sequences, puppets, spectacle — while keeping the emotional beats readable for young audiences. The new Polka stage came with new infrastructure, and figuring out what the space could do was part of the pleasure.