BB audiences do not want to leave the theatre!
BB (Wonderland Collective- Netherlands):
Julu and I experienced this beyond precious and pleasurable piece twice: once with the toddlers from Nelson Mandela Day Care joyfully ruling the roost along with a jam-packed house of Wee Fest Conference Delegates and the second, a full house of fab families with lovely littles of all ages (0-10yrs) so profoundly entranced and engaged that they just didn’t want to leave… eventually musicians Kristján Marttinsson and Pau Sola gently pied-pipered them towards the door so they could prepare for the next show!
I realized renowned choreographer, dancer, creator of Wonderland Collective and practitioner of this child centred improvisation technique- Makiko Ito, welcomes any child any age, including infants, on stage; not just the toddlers now famous for interacting so much they instantly become the heart of the performance and you could have sworn it was created just for them!
This show is indeed designed for your youngster to be centrally integrated to shine like a star, sail along the sidelines (aka discovering the lights) or just take it all in.
If your toddler is not obsessively insisting Makiko expertly flip them in the air for the eighth time by pointing to the very spot on the ground where it first unfolded, so much it becomes the theme and running gag of the entire show; then she will gently connect with your infant and after obtaining your permission, skillfully enfold them in her arms and dance to the exquisite live score and then perhaps stand under the sheer sheet containing white paper balls and playfully bump them until like waterfalls they overflow onto the stage for all to touch. Other textures were key like the fluffy pink carpet kiddos are pulled on and the smoothness of the instruments and little red chairs.
The quartet evenly split with dancers and musicians somehow felt larger.
The music was enchanting while dancers repeated a fluid physical score that expanded when mirroring or accompanying the child’s movement.
In my excitement I rushed Julu-just waking from a nap-towards Makiko and when met with tears Makiko respectfully retreated only to return later and my heart leapt as they gloriously twirled together! To conclude, Makiko invited families onto the stage to dance and to my delight I passed Julu into dancer Raoul Germano’s arms, then again to Makiko’s before Julu was returned back to me!
SUZANNE ROBERTS SMITH is a critically acclaimed actor, director, theatre maker and also an artist-educator, percussionista and first time mamãe. You can check out some of her work here. With bebê Julu in tow, Suzanne is currently directing INFLUENCED– a solo bouffon show starring Samantha Chaulk as well as the THE HOUSE OF MAGIC a new play by Chiamaka Glory for Shakespeare in Action’s YOUNG CREATOR’S THEATRE PROJECT. Along side of Maria Clara de Sena and ensemble, a pregnant Suzanne co created ORIXÁS: Alive & Well & Living in TO thanks to the last year’s STROMBERGS FAMILY REALIZATION FUND via NIGHTWOOD THEATRE. This year, they are recipients of several recommender creator grants supporting the continuation and development of this one of a kind world premiere powerhouse piece. Suzanne is grateful to all pioneering parents and theatre companies who insist on creating inclusive accessible artistic spaces where all folx and little ones are most welcome. Here’s to this movement gaining momentum everywhere!