Apryl Mock
News editor
With laser lights, a moving portrait and glow-in-the-dark special effects, “Escape from Kerfuffle Castle” was a visual feast. Written by Southeastern’s own Dell Mclain, Director of theater, Chair and Professor of the art, communication and theatre department, the children’s show was enjoyable for all.
“Escape from Kerfuffle Castle” follows the story of Simon (Tanner Risner), a new student at the Kerfuffle school. Simon meets members of “houses” similar to those of Hogwarts from the Harry Potter series.
Kerfuffle Castle will be closing due to lack of funding. So, Simon and his new friends Sheridan Holmes (Sheridan Hill) and Jane Watson (Courtney Baker) search for the mysterious Kerfuffle Treasure.
Overall the acting was perfect for an audience full of children. Most of the humor was slapstick, with a chase scene reminiscent of a Scooby-doo cartoon. The dance numbers were comical, yet still showed the skills of the performers. The dance battle between the two houses was a clever play on a “Step-up” movie.
“ Escape from Kerfuffle Castle” involved a great deal of crowd interaction that had the audience clutching their stomachs in laughter. For example, before the show began Mr. Grinchly (Dustin Curry) and Mrs. Merriweather (Rebecca Sparks) ran through the crowd cleaning with feather dusters and trying to swat imaginary flies.
Kerfuffle Castle was “Scooby-doo”, “ The Harry Potter Series”,“ Step-up” and “Sherlock Holmes” all rolled in to one.
Some of the humor went over the younger audience members’ heads, but this is what made it enjoyable for all ages. Jokes such as the ones made during Mr. Grinchly and Mrs. Merriwether’s’ late night tango kept the adults in the theater chuckling.
Taylor Donaldson who played Liam, a nerdy member of Glendale house, said, “This is the most fun I’ve ever had during a production.” I must say it was one of the most fun times this writer has ever had watching one.