“The Borrowers” Delights at Children’s Theatre of Charlotte

Cinema has a huge advantage over theater when it comes to special effects, green screens, computer enhancements, and 3D cameras for capturing challenging storytelling; but I would rather watch “The Borrowers” performed by Children’s Theatre of Charlotte than see a big screen children’s box office hit. This story has adventure, laughter, and history told only the way that you could truly enjoy on the stage.

The Borrowers is a book by Mary Norton, the first in a series of books about a family of tiny people who live beneath the floor of a home until they are suddenly thrust into the big world to survive on their own. Fourteen-year-old Arrietty is just learning how to borrow (what they call taking from the large house for survival) when their adventures begin. Soon, they find themselves in a strange world beyond their four small walls.

Because of the size difference in the actors, the Children’s Theatre brilliantly used tricks of scale and puppetry to weave the tale of this Lilliputian family’s journey. It really felt magical to be able to see the work that must have gone into making the props in such creative sizes. (Watching the mother break up an enormous onion ring was especially a delight!)

The acting was wonderful from all, but the star of this show is Gerard Hazelton who plays not one but four characters in this play. Whether it is the Campfurl cracking jokes and stomping or Spiller, the boy who helps the Borrowers thrive outside in the wild, Hazelton brings laughter to every scene he steals. It’s worth the price of admission just to see him shine.

At first, I was nervous that my six-year-old would not sit still through a play set in the 1800s, but both of my children were transfixed by the performance. My husband even proclaimed “The Borrowers” his favorite show of all time at the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte!

If you are looking for something to do as a family where you can all laugh together in a really unique and special venue, you won’t want to miss “The Borrowers.”

– Written by Kelly Yale

“The Borrowers”

January 20 – February 5, 2012
McColl Family Theatre at ImaginOn

300 E. 7th St., Charlotte, NC 28202
Front Orchestra $24 / General Section $18
Intended for Ages 7 and Up