Monday November 23, 2009
Power of the Omnitrix
BY SHEELA CHANDRAN
Cartoon Network’s alien-morphing boy hero Ben 10 comes alive in a theatrical extravaganza.
AFTER years of “happily ever after” fairy tale stage shows, it is time for boys to hog the limelight when Cartoon Network’s action animation Ben 10 comes to town in a live action stage performance.
The show, Ben 10 Live On Stage – Power Of The Omnitrix, sees Ben Tennyson and his super hero alter-egos in a bid to save the world.
Combining the best of Ben 10 and Ben 10 Alien Force, the 90-minute show features adrenaline-pumping fight scenes with state-of-the-art special effects.
Live action: Ben Tennyson (David Harrison) doing battle against alien baddies in Ben 10 Live On Stage – Power Of The Omnitrix. Featuring 14 characters, including Ben (David Harrison), his cousin Gwen Tennyson (Khali Grimshaw), friend Kevin Levin (Alex Osmond) and Grandpa Max (Paul Holmes), the show’s world premiere was staged in Bangkok, Thailand, last week. Kuala Lumpur will be its second stop before it moves on to Singapore.
Ben 10 is a very popular cartoon character, the No.1 boy action figure brand in the world and ranks top across all international kids’ channels.
In Asia alone, 75 million children watch the series. It is so popular that its merchandise all over the world sell out when they are launched, and there are also Ben 10 magazines on sale in some countries.
With so much hype, it’s no wonder why Harrison feels nervous playing the lead role. The 18-year-old actor’s greatest fear is not living up to fans’ expectations.
All for one: (from left) Ben Tennyson (David Harrison), his cousin Gwen (Khali Grimshaw) and friend Kevin Levin (Alex Osmond) lead the cast in Ben 10 Live On Stage – Power Of The Omnitrix. “Prior to this, I’ve played characters based on books (Oliver Twist and Camelot), so I could adapt to the role.
“Playing Ben, however, is a lot harder as I have to ‘fit into’ his personality and evolve into the character,” said the Melbourne-based lad in a telephone interview from Bangkok. For the show, Harrison had to learn new stunts, something which he found really exciting.
“Ben has the ability to transform into a variety of alien lifeforms, and I had a great time learning acrobatic flips and bungee jumping.
“I am a trained dancer so learning new stunts and flips was a refreshing change,” said Harrison, who learns various dance forms like funk, contemporary, lyrical and tap.
The show is divided into two acts: the first part is based on the original series, and the second, Ben 10 Alien Force.
Act One sees Ben learning about the power of the Omnitrix watch and how it can transform him into an alien-morphing boy hero.
Act Two sees Ben as a 15 year-old attending high school. Ben has not worn the Omnitrix since that summer vacation long ago, but with Grandpa Max missing, our hero needs to get re-acquainted with the watch to face new villains and foes.
Making their global debut live on stage are new alien super heroes Rocks and Squidstrictor. Rocks is a stone-faced creature with humanoid-like features while Squidstrictor is a squid-like creature that has incredible crushing abilities and can colour camouflage.
The new characters join super heroes such as Four Arms, Wildmutt and Heatblast and villains Vilgax and High Breed Commande.
Theatrical extravaganza
Diehard fans are set to be catapulted into the electrifying world of Ben 10 with stunts like skateboarding, acrobatics, action scenes combined with multimedia effects.
“It won’t be the usual song and dance clap-along show people are used to. We hope to bring something different to audiences.
“Watching the animation on the small screen is one thing, on the big screen is another but seeing a live action show on stage is a thrilling and unique way of experiencing Ben 10,” said director John Rowe in an e-mail interview.
Rowe added that the stunts and action sequences are the show’s main highlight.
“We have an international cast of professional stunt performers who have been working with stunt director and choreographer to create fantastic live action.
“There is fast-paced action, including fighting routines, tumbles, jumps, acrobatics, bike and skateboard action as well as performers flying in the air ala The Matrix,” said Rowe, the creator of Cartoon Network’s first live show, Cartoonival.
Rowe was inspired to transform the cartoon series into a stage show by his passion for cartoons and animation.
“I’ve been involved in bringing many animated series to life on stage before, but Ben 10 is by far the most intense action-packed series I’ve had to replicate.
“I was inspired by the challenge of bringing it to life and showing audiences another way of experiencing one of the most popular cartoon series,” explained Rowe, who is also a writer, producer, composer and actor.
For the set design and props, the audience can expect a modern and industrial-looking metal set which features a large flying bridge piece, and several 3D moving set pieces specially constructed for the production.
“We have actors playing the main characters. Next to them, Ben’s aliens are designed larger than life, and the evil Vilgax and Highbreed Commander (in costume) tower over the actors,” said Rowe, who stars in Australian children’s show, The Kingdom Of Paramithi.
While as exciting as it may be, Rowe underwent a series of challenges to conceptualise the show.
“Ben 10 the animation series is action-packed and in animation anything is possible. On stage, there are all sorts of physical restrictions and difficulties to overcome.
“It is a long process of dreaming up ideas that can be made real on stage in real time. This takes planning, rehearsal, and a team of skilled choreographers, directors and performers to create and deliver.
“We also rely on the multimedia elements and technology to bring the action to life.”
> Ben 10 Live On Stage will be staged from Friday till Sunday at Plenary Hall, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur. Showtime is 2pm, 5pm and 8pm. Tickets are priced at RM38, RM53, RM93, RM133, RM153, RM188 and RM218. For information, call 03-7880 7999 or browse ticketpro.com.my. You can help decide Ben 10’s fate and how Power Of The Omnitrix ends in the second act. Browse ben10.net for more details.
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