Our experience of Up! by Rachelle Ganesh Bain
We were warmly greeted (like we usually are) by the Artistic Director of the Wee Festival, Lynda Hill. When attending an event at the festival, you will most likely experience her energetic and welcoming presence and she will (if she is able) rush to help you in any way she can. We were helped with our stroller and offered refreshments. I sat on a comfortable couch with my two youngest boys who were invited to explore the table of books in front of them. My two and a half year old, Quentin, quickly grabbed a book and we looked through it. He then turned to me and said “caterpillar” and sure enough, there were copies of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle on the table. Quentin’s face lit up as I began to read one of his favourite books.
Shortly thereafter, we were informed that the show would begin and once it was time, and the land acknowledgment was said, we were graciously ushered into the theatre. There were mats and fuzzy circle rugs for the little ones to sit on, while adults could sit on benches in the back if they preferred. This particular performance of “UP!” was for little ones, ideally two and under, and so all of the parents with our young babes found spots on the ground. The space was very intimate and dimly lit. There was a roped off circle with lights around it which clearly marked the performance space.
Quentin cuddled in close and Theodore (my 14 month old) stood tall gazing at the well lit balloon in the circle with wide eyes. I noticed other babies sitting and watching too. Surprisingly they all stayed close to their parents and did not run or crawl into the performance space during the show. The performer, Kristof Hiriart was extremely talented and wonderfully engaging. The sounds he was able to create with his voice and the musical melodies he made with the objects around him was mesmerizing. He made clear choices to interact in hilarious ways with any cries or sounds the babies made.
What I found incredibly impressive was Kristof’s ability to have the audience join the soundscape of the show by using gestures. It was amazing to witness his true sense of play and the familiarity of it all. At one moment, he splashed in water and in another, he lay on his stomach playing with rocks on the floor. I don’t know about other parents out there, but all three of my boys could play with rocks like that for hours.
A personal highlight for me occurred in the moments where he brought out a small harp. With the beautiful sound filling the room I took notice of fellow moms rocking their babes in their arms, gently swaying as I too instinctively did. At the end of the show, Kristof sang a melody and invited us to sing along. It was a soft lullaby-like tune, unfamiliar to us. Some little babies nursed, some cuddled and some watched as he played and we sang. It was truly a powerful shared moment. I feel as though it is this community aspect of witnessing a show in person that makes live theatre so special. We are connected to the performer and performance but also to each other within the experience.
After the show was finished, we were invited to stay for a “talk-back” with the artist. My littles were ready to go back to the books and so I wasn’t able to attend this time. However, talk backs and similar opportunities are such a special aspect of the Wee Festival as they truly desire to introduce the children to all aspects of theatre.
As I gathered my things to leave, the boys clutched onto the multicoloured toy caterpillars they were gifted. I can officially say they have now caught the Theatre Bug and I couldn’t be more delighted about it.