Parents and lovers of visually creative theater: French company Skappa! has just the play for you.

Debuting in Tokyo on Dec. 13, "Swift!" is a "journey into a world of absurd proportions" inspired by Jonathan Swift's 1726 novel "Gulliver's Travels." Though it's billed as appropriate for ages 3 and up, there are no cute animals, garish costumes or perky tunes in this tale that moves between strange and unfamiliar landscapes.

With few exceptions, "family friendly" theater (aka theater for children that parents tolerate) tends to be didactic, saccharine and watered-down. Skappa!, founded in 1998, has sought to change that with creative, thought-provoking works that seek to engage but not patronize children.