Tale of the Gifted Prince

🎟️ Event Review

📍 Quick Facts
• Event Type: Musical Theatre
• Location: Max Bell Theatre, 240 9 Ave SE, Calgary, AB
• Duration: Full-length musical
• Ticket Info: Tickets required

Geoff and I were excited to be part of the audience for the world premiere of The Tale of the Gifted Prince.

 This brand-new musical just might be ready to take over the world. It may have only had its world premiere, but I have a feeling this is only the beginning.

Parking was easy, and we accessed the building via the Plus 15, so we didn’t have to go outdoors. Max Bell is a beautiful little theatre, and you really can’t go wrong with the seating. For tonight’s performance, though, we were a bit spoiled; we were seated in Balcony 1 Box, Row B, seats 103 and 104. Wooden chairs with red velvet upholstery gave us a perfect perch to view the stage. It was a pretty special way to watch a world premiere — close enough to feel connected to the stage without being too far up in the balcony.

The Tale of the Gifted Prince is based on Lloyd Alexander’s 1991 novel, ‘The Remarkable Journey of Prince Ren’. It takes place in a fictional kingdom on the edge of rebellion, where Prince Ren must save his father’s throne. Armed with five humble gifts, the prince embarks on a quest to enlist the aid of a reclusive shaman. As danger looms, Ren discovers the gifts hold powers that will either mend a realm or shatter it forever.

The story was told in a narrative style that was simply adorable, pulling us right into Prince Ren’s journey of self-discovery and the strength of friendship.

We all felt the magic as the seemingly broken and discarded gifts were transformed into something extraordinary throughout Ren’s journey. The cultural representation was strong, as the performers took us through Chinese settings and scenery, while showcasing customs and values from both historical and modern points of view.

The brand-new musical score was delicious and flawlessly performed — the kind of quality you’d expect to experience on London’s West End. The transition between performer and character was seamless.

We were truly touched. We laughed, we cried, and we were carried away on a grand adventure filled with magical creatures, villains, princes and thieves. We were whisked to mythical kingdoms and surprised by magical puppetry.

This new show is going places; its tongue-in-cheek and cheeky style is bright and refreshing. As we watched, we felt as though we were witnessing the birth of an exciting new Disney-esque musical, with puppetry and creativity brought to life right before our eyes.

If you get the chance to see this show, go. You won’t be disappointed.

📊 Scorecard

• Organization and Flow: 4.5/5
• Engagement & Content: 5/5
• Location & Venue Comfort: 5/5
• Value for Money: 5/5
• ⭐ Overall Rating: 4.9/5 Stars