CORY RUF
Times 91原创
Fringe festivals are renowned for featuring performance artists whose output is far from kid-friendly. But the Victoria do has options for parents looking to 聯fringe聰 with their youngsters in tow. The FamilyFest, playing at the Langham Court Theatre, boasts the Fringe聮s plucky, do-it-yourself spirit, sans the foul language and detailed descriptions of intimate physical acts. Here聮s a quick roundup of some of the family-oriented fare (star ratings out of five):
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The Secret Life of Walter Manny
When: Aug. 29 to 31
Rating: ****1/2
In this one-man show, Victoria聮s Trent Arterberry plays Walter Manny, an eight-year-old boy whose imagination gets in him in regular trouble at home and at school. Using only his wiry body, elastic face and shapes-shifting voice, the middle-aged thespian acts out Walter聮s daydreamed worlds of adventure 聴 being a heroic fireman, playing for a big-league baseball club, boarding an alien spaceship 聴 as well the child聮s collisions with reality. The play, a true gem, resolves with a nugget of wisdom as useful for adults as it is for children 聴 your imagination has pretty nifty real-world applications.
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The Night that the Knight Learned Wrong from Right
When: Aug. 26, 29, 30, 31
Rating: ***
Incorporating hand puppets and homemade props, The Night tells of the land of Cardboardia, whose king is suffering from severe boredom. He assigns his loyal knight to venture off to faraway lands to gather stories that might break his highness聮s ennui. Along the way, the swordsman encounters a series of helpful strangers, each of whom dispenses a well-worn fable. Though cute, it聮s a somewhat plodding odyssey, one that might too easily lose the attention of its target audience, the tot-and-kindergarten set.
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The Great Beanstalk Conspiracy
When: Aug. 26, 30, 31
Rating: ****
Put on by Story Theatre, a Victoria-based company that tours schools across Canada, The Great Beanstalk Conspiracy is a cautionary tale about the danger of failing to treat Mother Earth with respect. It depicts a bleak future in which children must don breathing masks before walking to school and power blackouts are routine occurrences. Main character Jackie and her classmate Michael assume the role of green-minded superheroes, climbing a mysterious beanstalk to discover what聮s causing all the environmental destruction. It might sound like a heavy-handed bummer, but the bright costumes and bouncy performances temper the dystopian vibe. Plus, after the moralistic main course, the players serve up a dessert of spirited song, as well as chuckle-inducing improv games.
