You Asked For It -- MONSTERS at the Charles Bailey Theatre
By Contributor
Survey results indicated that Greater Trail patrons of the arts want MORE THEATRE programming and so, on Sunday February 8, audiences can see not one, but two of Toronto’s Monster Theatre Productions at The Charles Bailey Theatre.
First, in the afternoon on the main stage, we present The Little Prince where children aged 4-11 can meet talking roses and foxes while venturing on interplanetary travel. Learn about true love and loyalty! Join The Little Prince on a 45-minute spectacular adventure as he celebrates open-mindedness, open-heartedness and the beauty of imagination. With puppets, masks, original music and a little theatre magic, the storytelling experts of Monster Theatre capture the hearts and funny bones of audiences of all ages as they bring Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s cherished novella to life.
Then, in the evening on the main stage, meet Tara Travis as she performs the parts of each of the six wives of Henry the Vlll with six different love stories and of course six dramatic deaths in her one-woman show ‘Till Death’. It all starts in the afterlife, in a bizarre waiting room of sorts. One by one, the wives of Henry VIII arrive, much to the shock and dismay of each previous wife. What culminates is a heated frenzy of an ex-wives club where these women swap stories, toss Anne Boleyn’s head around, pick on the ugly German one, and, most importantly, fight for the right to be acknowledged as Henry’s true bride and eternal partner.
”…one of the most impressive acting feats in the Fringe Festival!” (4 stars!)
– Kevin Prokosh, Winnipeg Free Press
Not a theatre connoisseur? No problem. As Vancouver Sun Theatre Critic Peter Birnie said it in a review “Monster Theatre’s Shakespeare is for scholar and squire alike!”
The name Monster Theatre was inspired by something said by Keith Johnstone, inventor of Theatresports. He was directing a student performing as Iago in a scene from Othello and was explaining the difference between playing him as a Demon and as a Monster. He said, “Iago is a Demon. Demons are smooth and attractive on the outside, but evil and twisted on the inside. While Monsters are strange and twisted on the outside, but they always have a good and pure heart.” This is the sort of craft Monster Theatre strives to create.
Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door and can be purchased in person or by phone at the Charles Bailey Theatre Box, open Mon-Fri noon-4. Phone 250.368-9669 or visit us at 1501 Cedar Avenue, Trail. Thank you to Teck Metals Ltd. for sponsoring the series and helping keep ticket prices affordable. Please visit www.trail-arts,com for more info.
