A 57, Barbie® has lived through thousands of incarnations. Secretary, air hostess, policewoman, astronaut – and that’s even before her 2016 transformation from relentlessly unrealistic blonde nymphet into a radical new range of characters in a multitude of relatable body shapes and skin colours. Whether you played with Barbie® as a child or not, this show is worth a visit for its intelligent and fun exploration of a character who became a global cultural influence, from Aqua (yes, you’ll get to listen to it again) to The Hunger Games. Fashion icon and mirror for social and cultural stereotypes in the ’60s and ’70s, Barbie® also represents the victory of a determined businesswoman – Ruth Handler – in the era’s ruthlessly macho business world.
The show includes an exceptional range of dolls on show for the first time, plus videos of how they’re made and displays explaining how the doll manages her time – and her own Instagram account. There are even workshops where you can learn how to make your own Barbie® clothes, and at the heart of it all a play area, to remind us all that in the end, none of us are too old to play with dolls.
TRANSLATION: EH