STRING PULLED ON ALL OF OUR HEARTS!

STRING/FICELLE (Le Mouton Carré-France):

It was not our four month old bebê Julu’s first time in the theatre BUT it was their first time at the distinguished WEE FESTIVAL- an expertly designed and curated performance space for early years and I must say instead of stressing/sticking out when racing to the back of the audience to bounce Julu continuously in a snug wrap while pressing my hands over top of their infant earphones and bracing ourselves for anything to happen… Here, I was relaxed.

Here, Julu was one of many babies all seemingly mesmerized by the ambience and stage. Here, a cruising toddler is handled with the grace and ease of many helping hands, while soundscapes of infants cooing and children’s enjoyment offering a chorus of connected questions was refreshing and restorative.

At STRING’s sold out closing show, we fell instantly in love with the world that was created.

I noticed only natural materials onstage aligning with the organic, live and unamplified sounds of voice, marimba, an abundance of calabashes used both as set and various percussion instruments, with large drums and a stunning kora.

I believe the only time we heard recorded sound was near the end for what I interpreted as a magical/dreamlike sequence. 

The play is existential and deeply moving with a full range of emotions, as children, parents, caregivers and humans of all ages are experts in. We witness our hero puppet (made solely of string) and their life cycle: being born, learning about their world, discovering the elements, being playful, frustrated, amazed, struggling, suffering, dreaming and dying… then perhaps transforming into stars and re-awaking in the afterworld- at least that’s what I strung together;)

I was amazed at how present Julu was, focusing on the lights, soothed by the sounds and gently engaged throughout.

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 THEHOUSE 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!