Get your David Walliams fans ready – Ratburger is scuttling onto the Wollongong stage these autumn school holidays.
Australian playwright Maryam Master has brought the best-selling book to life, promising a version that’s every bit as outrageous, funny and gross (rat patties, anyone?) as the original.
“It goes to all the places where you think you can't go in theatre, but without going too far,” she says.
“It's funny, it's a little bit gruesome, it's heartfelt. It's a lot of fun.”
Ratburger follows Zoe, a girl who’s just lost her beloved pet, has a miserable home life and is being picked on by the school bully.
Things start looking up when she meets Dapper (Armitage in the book), a dancing rat who quickly becomes her loyal companion.
Enter Burt, the dodgy burger shop owner who spots the rat’s extraordinary talents – and a chance to make a quick buck.
Maryam says audiences can expect big laughs from the gross-out humour, plus cool puppetry, vibrant sets and dance moves that bring down the house.
And yes, for fans of the book – the story’s most unsavoury characters absolutely end up on the menu.
“Not to give away too many spoilers, but it’s pretty funny,” she says.
“Usually, when the baddies come out in the burger patties at the end, you get an applause.”
That kind of audience reaction is all part of the fun of children’s theatre, with kids so caught up in the story they start jeering at the villains on stage.
“When you go to a public show, like at the Opera House, and parents are there, the kids are more polite because the parents are probably telling them to be,” Maryam says.
“But if you go to a school show, with just classmates – they’re wild. Absolutely wild. And this one is no exception. It gets a lot of heckles.”
Maryam likes to hide amongst the kids in the audience to see which jokes land – and there’s one moment she always looks forward to.
“There’s a pretty spectacular scene – a rat dancing scene toward the end – which absolutely wows the audience every time,” she says.
“You’ll know it when you see it. The rat dances a little at the beginning, a little in the middle, and then there’s one big finale.
“When he comes out that last time, people just lose it. That’s got to be my favourite part of the show.”
This is the fourth time Maryam – author of the middle-grade novel Exit Through The Gift Shop – has adapted one of Walliams’ books for the stage, and her appreciation hasn't faded.
“David’s stories have the perfect combination of macabre and funny – and also heart,” she says.
“He's got a real formula for coming up with stories that make you feel, make you laugh and make you kind of squirm.”
The popular UK author and comedian has been closely involved in the adaptation, reading early drafts and offering feedback.
“David’s incredibly supportive, very easy to work with, delightful – and very generous,” Maryam says, adding that he’s been known to send flowers and champagne to the cast and crew on opening night.
The show – produced by CDP Kids, the team behind the 13-Storey Treehouse plays – runs for about an hour with no interval, and is recommended for ages six and up.
If you're wondering whether your child is ready for theatre, Maryam has a clear answer: “Please take them.”
“It’s just a sort of magic every child should experience. It’s so incredibly different to watching TV or even reading a book. A live show is like a full-body experience – mind, body, soul.
“When theatre is good, you come out feeling on a high. You’ll be buzzing.
“So I’d say, even if you do it just once – please take them.”
Ratburger is on at IPAC, Wollongong, on Wednesday, April 23, at 10am and 12.30pm; and Thursday, April 24, at 10am and 12.30pm. Tickets are available via Merrigong's website.
The Thursday 10am session is a relaxed performance, where it’s okay to move around or make noise during the show. An accessible visual story guide to the show is also available here.
