Fairy tales often follow a familiar formula: A reluctant hero encounters adversity, then rises to the occasion and discovers their hidden inner strength.
Despite the simple structure, fairy tales become classics for their comforting and worldly lessons. Revisiting these childhood tales is a chance to revamp their themes from a place of love and care for the source material. In 2024, it’s also an opportunity to feature characters previously unrepresented in fairy tales — like a queer princess.
Such is the case for Artbeat Theatre Group’s production of Just Say The Word, which ran from Jan. 31 to Feb. 3 at the Gladstone Theatre. With book, music and lyrics by J.P. Chartier and direction by Sarah Hearn, the original musical is an eclectic production that offers lots of love, but struggles to anchor its focus.
A feminist reimagination of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Emperor’s New Clothes, Chartier shifts the narrative to the vain king’s neglected daughter, Princess Clara. She grapples with her father’s selfishness and inability to rule the kingdom of Faylen, while also learning what it takes to become queen.
Just Say The Word contained classic fairy-tale archetypes: A dutiful heroine, a troubled king and deceitful villains.
With a genre-bending score, the show also played into musical theatre tropes: A poignant “I am” ballad for the show’s protagonist, a sprinkle of fast-paced, anxious patter songs, as well as delightful group numbers.
Mixing these archetypes created a comforting familiarity. A spirited, heartwarming production arose from the glitzy costumes and the plain fun of the group numbers. But, the show was plagued by its unwillingness to settle that familiarity into a balanced tone.
Much like its plot, the score was uncontained and stretched across genres; from an ill-suited sea chanty to classic theatrical dance numbers. Group sequences like “Long Live The Queen” were zestful and exhilarating, accompanied by Debbie Miller-Smith’s lively choreography.
Though unglamourously executed, the jumps and twirls were joyfully delivered with smile-plastered faces as the 23-person cast filled the stage with high energy.
Stirring ballads, particularly “All Alone,” delivered by an intimately delicate Evelyn Shaw as Princess Clara, were also standout moments rife with tension. Shaw’s vocals never built up during single songs, as she opted to keep a steady rhythm in a featherlight timbre and subtle expressions.
But as Clara became more trusting in her abilities, Shaw, too, became more powerful in her vocals, withering to rageful sneers for the lamentful “A State of Mess.”
Just Say The Word shone best while following Clara, whether in her journey to become queen or in her romance with Emma Russel-Parent’s vivaciously warm Marie. The endearing “Typewriter Song” — expertly choreographed with actors laying down and kicking their legs to simulate a typewriter — was one of the finer moments of merriment for the onstage couple.
Regrettably, the show dragged whenever its focus shifted away from Clara, particularly during the one hour and 40 minute first act that aimlessly pivoted between less-developed characters.
Chartier portrayed the king with humorous charm and an air of vanity, strutting with his head held high. He donned golden colours and a bejeweled crown to match the jazzy pizzazz of his introductory number, “I Am the King.” But the king’s emotions oscillated between unserious to unnecessarily cruel, resulting in a lack of growth.
Supporting acts Cassandra Lindsay-Allard and Carleton’s Adam Barrow as con artists Hannah and Christian, respectively, provided much of the show’s humour. Particularly Barrow, as a flamboyantly floundering Christian, whose delivery and flailing gestures were as wicked as his deceit. But overall, Just Say The Word’s lack of focus caused the show to fail in balancing humour and genuine emotional development.
Though struggling in pinpointing its dramatic tone, Just Say The Word offered sprinkles of heart and joy. Had there been an anchored focus, the show could have also provided a clear-cut purpose or theme.
Nonetheless, if the actors’ twinkling eyes and bright smiles were any indication, Just Say The Word was a product of love and enjoyment.
Featured image by Resonate Photography.
