ENTERTAINMENT – Fox on the run to

Erin Pearson
LITERARY children’s masterpiece Fox will come to life on stage in Geelong this weekend.
Margaret Wild and Ron Brookes’ story is celebrating its 10th anniversary since publication with a travelling operatic performance.
The story follows the lives of friends Dog and Magpie after a bushfire claimed the bird’s wings.
Magpie rediscovers the sensation of flying as she rides atop her one-eyed friend as he runs through the bush.
However, the title name character then arrives to tempt Magpie with an even faster ride.
The tale explores themes of desire, loyalty and friendship after Fox dumps Magpie far out in the desert.
Abandoned and alone, she begins the long journey home.
David Buckley, who plays Dog, said the production would use “bold costumes and large, crazy wings” to replicate the book’s characters.
“I think the audience will see it as a little-larger-than-life production,” he said.
“It’s so simply written but the themes are so huge.
“Fox, he’s a bit jealous of the friendship.”
Buckley said playing the character of Dog came with its own challenges
“He’s very touching and very heartfelt and I think Dog’s character has had an influence on me as a person, just as I have with my experiences on him as a character,” he said.
“Even now I’m still finding out about the issues and themes in the play – they’re problems people face in childhood and adulthood.”
Buckley said he was amazed how well audiences of all ages had received the stage adaptation.
“One of the most surprising things I’ve found is how well children have been able to understand the themes,” he said.
“Being an opera, you wouldn’t always think children would be interested but we met a girl in Carnarvon, in Western Australia, who, after the show, drew a picture for us and her mother said she was explaining what was happening on stage.
“It’s such a fun show.”
Geelong Performing Arts Centre will feature Fox on Saturday night.