Shockheaded Peter’ scampers into Cygnet Theater

Elizabeth Youngman-Westphal

Special to Village News

Ninety minutes in a freaky-fairy tale gone mad goes by quickly in Cygnet Theater, which thrives on quirky, edgy works like “Shockheaded Peter.” Molded into a production by director Rob Lutfy, this merry romp stands as a warning to naughty children everywhere.

The play is loosely based on the poems by Heinrich Hoffmann, a German psychiatrist called “Der Struwwelpeter.” Originally written in the 1850s for his four-year-old son’s Christmas present, Hoffmann’s work was published, reprinted and translated, remaining popular even today.

Be prepared for a gender-bending, punk-rock operetta. After all, the original music was written by The Tiger Lillies, Britain’s foremost funked-out, mind-blowing shock band.

In other words, “Shockheaded Peter” is a hoot and great fun for a sophisticated audience. While certain narratives have been revised for a more appropriate presentation, over all this show was meant to shock, to alarm and to make fun of us along with our preconceived notions about appearance, parenting and punishment.

With a wink and a smile, master of ceremonies Sarah Errington fashions the tale with solid support from the Siren, Steve Gouviea, spouting the venomous verse which exposes the horrid results when children are naughty.

Parents are portrayed by Adrian Alita as Father and Kevane La’Marr Coleman as Mother. The remaining ensemble merrily fulfills with fateful guile the consequences of misbehaving; they are Danielle Airey, Marc Caro-Willcox, Donny Gersonde, Siri Hafso, Isaac Kalimo and Mariel Shaw.

“Shockheaded Peter” is performed by a clever cast of creative artists weaving a wondrous tale through June 18 at Cygnet Theater, 440 Twiggs Ave. in San Diego. The theater is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. For tickets and more information, contact the box office at (619) 337-1525 or email [email protected]