Istvan Dugalin ➤

Cast of “Boy Boy and the Magic Drum”, Image provided by the company

Presented by Under A Grove Productions

There are few sounds that evoke such unfiltered joy as the gentle, bright bong of a steel drum—and that sound is the essence of this story. We are invited onto a Caribbean island that seems to have sprung from the vibes of Carnival itself; bursting with the sound, colour and spirit of Trinidad and Tobago’s renowned festival.

Carnival Land is open!—as the rainbow neon sign boldly states! Boy Boy and the Magic Drum, based on a children’s book by Machel Montano, is a one-act family musical that sees the titular Boy Boy (Gabriel Hudson) overcome his doubts to harness the magic that will revive his community’s celebratory spirit.

Creators Jewelle Blackman and Chantal Forde frame the telling of the story as a troupe’s theatrical efforts. The show we are seeing is the fruit of their efforts while also transcending that self-awareness. There are cute little gags about how certain people weren’t paying attention during rehearsal as key story beats bewilder, upset or inspire each of them.

Designer Jason Dauvin fills the stage with a playful collection of colourful, disparate objects. There are ladders and crates and boxes filled to the brim with scarfs, beads and trinkets galore. The cast has also been decked out in comfort-casual couture. Deidrea Halley’s choreography has them fully grooving to the catchy tunes as they rambunctiously bound about.

At the heart of this story is a message about people being the essential aspect of celebration, not the bright lights and spectacle. When the main factory goes down, the power cuts out and it seems as if the Peace Parade is surely cancelled. But a Magic Man (Robert Ball) encourages Boy Boy to understand the “rainbow brew” that will ignite the magic of the steel pan. And, with the help of his community, he does!

The whole ensemble radiates a palpable, dynamic energy and each gives us glimpses of their distinct, individual deals. I’d like to shout out Astrid Atherly as the “teasing” member of the troupe for the show’s best laughs. Boy Boy and the Magic Drum is a straight-up delightful romp.

Boy Boy and the Magic Drum
@ Toronto Fringe Festival
running July 3 to 14, 2024
Tarragon Theatre Mainspace (30 Bridgman Ave)
running time: 75 minutes