Tea for Toot: A "Blyton" Childhood Memories

Something wicked comes to The Basement for Auckland Fringe 2011, in the form of Tea for Toot, an original black comedy inspired by lives of Enid Blyton’s eccentric daughters.  Fresh from a critically acclaimed season at BATS Theatre in Wellington, Tea for Toot revels in the political incorrectness of books like Noddy and The Famous Five.

“It’s an irreverent twist on those familiar stories from childhood,” says actor and co-writer Cherie Jacobson. “Blyton wrote constantly, over seven hundred books, so I think everyone has encountered her at some point. We thought her outdated gender constructions, colourful but dubious characters and intriguing private life would be fantastic to share in a show.”

Tea for Toot re-imagines Blyton’s least desirable characteristics in Mary Waters, a formidable mother and famous writer of children’s fiction. Her stories feature Mumble the dancing bear, deceitful gypsy chimpanzees and Toot, a misogynistic elf.

The show tells the story of Mary’s daughters, Georgia and Emily, who have grown old without growing up. Forbidden to leave their childhood home, the girls live detached from reality, surviving on tea, biscuits and regular doses of story-time.  When the outside world starts intruding on their fanciful games, Georgia and Emily seek solace in their childhood friend, the mischievous Toot.

“Our original inspiration was a news article on Blyton’s daughters who were revealed to have drastically different memories of their famous mother,” says co-writer and director Ed Watson. “We became interested in how children exposed to that level of fame and fantasy might turn out. It’s the sinister side to Peter Pan’s game of never growing up.”

Labelled ‘original and quirky’ and ‘a must see’ by the Dominion Post, Tea for Toot was nominated in the prestigious Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards 2010 in the categories of Outstanding New Playwright of the Year and Most Promising Female Newcomer of the Year (Alex Lodge as the acerbic Emily Waters).

Tea for Toot is a quick-witted balance of cutting comedy and bittersweet drama that features knitting, make-believe, and more cups of tea than you can shake a golliwog at.

Delve into Tea for Toot at The Basement, 1st til the 5th of March; 8.30pm Tuesday to Thursday and 5.30pm Friday and Saturday. For bookings contact iTicket www.iticket.co.nz.

www.basementspace.co.nz