Quick! There’s still time to take in some of this city’s finest theatre for children. Where else but Winnipeg could you sing along with a tap dancing porcupine, revisit a classic fairy tale, learn about acceptance and support the hungry and homeless by attending theatre for kids?
The best person to critique a kids’ play is a kid so I took my trusty assistant, 10-year-old Berlin, along for her expert opinion on the presentations. She rated the following productions as 5 smiles as well as 5 stars as she keenly observed parents and kids smiling throughout the shows.
Theatre Critic, Berlin, with some Puss in Boots cast members, at Alloway Hall, Venue #4
The only classic fairy tale at the Winnipeg Fringe Festival this year is offered by Merlyn Productions Theatre Company. In this version of Puss in Boots the audience gets to participate in both official languages. The Townsfolk, the handsome prince, the beautiful princess, and the King and Queen, transport us back to a time when fairy tales were the stories of choice. With coaching from the talking cat everyone can help to stomp out the Ogre who is the personification of bullying. A fast paced romp, the cast meets the criteria of topnotch story telling by confronting a problem and solving it with – audience consultation.
The TiBert Kitchen Party is at Kids Venue: School of Contemporary Dancers
A 5 star performance awaits at Kids Venue with the antics of TiBert, the Voyageur. There are ample opportunities for kids of all ages to be on stage to help this storyteller, juggler and raconteur extraordinaire.
TiBert had the audience hooked with his warm-up and fully engaged everyone with his educational and fun time travel back to the days of the early settlers.
TiBert moved the theatre seamlessly from squeals of delight as he searched for his missing shirt to the quiet of a pin dropping when he demonstrated his unique musical instruments.
The tap dancing porcupine and cast from Welcome Spikey’s Points.
All proceeds from the original script and music starring Dylan Hatcher in Welcome Spikey’s Points go to feeding Winnipeg’s homeless and hungry. The musical geared for those 5 to 95 is off-site at the Samuel N. Cohen Auditorium, St. Boniface Research Centre, 351 Tache Ave. Children 14 & under $5.00; Adults $8.00
Left homeless and hungry Spikey the talking, singing and tap dancing porcupine is adopted by Grammy who helps to teach the community all about acceptance, love, and understanding.
