#Dunno why “spangly” is the funny thing to me. :)

[orpiknight]

Ohhh, look look! It seems there's a tour of a new Coraline musical coming in the near future? 👀🪡

There's an article from The Guardian that explains more.

"The children’s fable, which found a new audience 15 years ago as a stop-motion animation by Henry Selick, has been adapted by playwright Zinnie Harris and composer Louis Barabbas.

Harris fell in love with Gaiman’s dark fantasy when reading it to her children and quickly saw its potential for the stage. Over a 12-year period, she has developed the script with James Brining, artistic director of Leeds Playhouse. They recruited Barabbas, the Skye-based frontman of the Bedlam Six, to write songs that Harris described as 'dark, spangly, clever, quirky and beautifully melodic'."

It sounds like it will be taking inspiration from the novel rather than focusing on the movie.

"'The movie is one refraction of the novel and this will be another refraction,' said Brining. 'We want to respond to the story, the spirit and the atmosphere of the novel.'"

While it's a dark storyline, the novel is still a story that's meant for kids to relate to. That depicts finding bravery to survive in a terrifying world that can make one feel overwhelmingly powerless and alone. So it's nice to see them making sure it's a family show that's fun with the star played by an actual kid.

"There will be a child actor in the lead role, their vulnerability emphasised by a cast otherwise made up of adults.

Harris added: 'At its core, the story is about working out how to be brave. It is a powerful message. We see this little girl having to take on an extraordinary adversary, who is psychologically as well as physically intimidating and she has to dig deep into her core to find a way through.'"

And the music? Gothic. (and spangly)

"[...] they had been drawn to the gothic side of the novel: 'That is partly why we felt it would be most successful with music. When the other mother turns around and she’s got buttons for eyes, there will be a heightened quality because she is singing.'

He said this is what prompted them to collaborate with Barabbas: 'His music has got a gothic quality. It’s got creepiness and wit, he can write lyrics that hold rich imagery and themes that respond to the novel. The gothic is a key characteristic of Gaiman’s work and the music will help define that atmosphere on stage.'" [full article]

It's said it'll premiere in Leeds in April 2025.

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The novel turned 15 this year. With this and the upcoming theatrical rerelease of the movie, it looks like Coraline's getting a lot of attention.

And in case you haven't seen the new movie poster:

I just think it's neat. :)