A classic childrenSA国际影视传媒檚 book will be brought alive on stage with the magic of puppetry during the ChildrenSA国际影视传媒檚 Festival of Silliness at the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre (NACC).

Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch, written in 1991 by author Eileen Spinelli and adapted for the stage by artistic director Chris McGregor of Axis Theatre in Vancouver, will be performed on Jan. 27.

SA国际影视传媒淛eny Cassady is the main puppeteer for Mr. Hatch and then the other two actors SA国际影视传媒� Christine Reinfort and Sarah May Redmond SA国际影视传媒� are also there to support the show and the storytelling,SA国际影视传媒� McGregor said of the performance.

The troupe has been performing the story since 2017 McGregor said, and no matter the venue SA国际影视传媒� be it across Canada, the USA, or in China SA国际影视传媒� the response has been overwhelmingly positive from children and adults alike, he noted.

SA国际影视传媒淭hey enjoy the music thatSA国际影视传媒檚 in it and the magic of the puppetry. It all takes place in a fictional time frame around 1945, and after the Second World War in a laundromat.SA国际影视传媒�

When transforming the book into a play, McGregor said one of the most challenging aspects was to incorporate the puppetry into the acting.

SA国际影视传媒淚t was such a huge challenge that actually took years of incorporating the details, but they make it seem so effortless and easy,SA国际影视传媒� he said of the puppetSA国际影视传媒檚 creators and the performers.

Springing to life

Jeny Cassady has been puppeteering for more than 30 years and said they use an adapted version of the Japanese bunraku style of puppetry to bring Mr. Hatch to life on stage SA国际影视传媒� meaning she, along with Christine and Sarah, are standing on stage creating his movements.

But while ensuring Mr. Hatch moves about in sync with the dialogue is an important part of the performance, Cassady said she also has to infuse and embody his character with emotion and personality.

And by doing so, although she is standing beside Mr. Hatch and talking in his voice, she said the audience feels like the words are being spoken by him instead.

The story itself is one that Cassady said everyone can relate to and said it SA国际影视传媒渉as a piece of my heart.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 filled with kindness, which is one of my favorite things. The main character is a gentleman whoSA国际影视传媒檚 nearing retirement, Mr. Hatch, so itSA国际影视传媒檚 an unusual character to have, I think, in a childrenSA国际影视传媒檚 play.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 all about inclusivity and being friendly with your neighbours and maybe not knowing whatSA国际影视传媒檚 going on in everybodySA国际影视传媒檚 world at any time and therefore, itSA国际影视传媒檚 really important to just always be kind,SA国际影视传媒� Cassady said of the main theme of the story.

SA国际影视传媒淚 love performing the show because the whole room just feels uplifted at the end of it, and this play is all about heart for me.SA国际影视传媒�

Puppets at play

Cassady said the art of puppetry has endured over generations and puppets appeal to everyone.

SA国际影视传媒淧uppets are able to do things that we humans canSA国际影视传媒檛, so they can get away with so much more. So, itSA国际影视传媒檚 fun to see a puppet do something a little out of the ordinary,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

SA国际影视传媒淲e already have suspended our disbelief by saying, SA国际影视传媒業 know thatSA国际影视传媒檚 a puppet. I see itSA国际影视传媒檚 a puppet, but ISA国际影视传媒檓 going to believe that itSA国际影视传媒檚 real for a little while.SA国际影视传媒橲A国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淎nd so when it does something supernatural and really different that a human canSA国际影视传媒檛 do, it is surprising, fun, interesting,SA国际影视传媒� Cassady said.

Atchoum rocks the theatre

Marie Coderre, NACCSA国际影视传媒檚 executive and artistic director, said the ChildrenSA国际影视传媒檚 Festival of Silliness has been a mainstay at NACC for over a decade and is immensely popular with children and adults alike.

SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e going to start with Axis Theatre and then there will be lots of activities in the lobby. We have a partnership with the library this year and they will bring games and workshop tables,SA国际影视传媒� Coderre said of the afternoonSA国际影视传媒檚 events that will include the bouncy castle, photo booth, and face painting.

She said another highlight of the day will be the all-French performance of LSA国际影视传媒橦iver Rock DSA国际影视传媒橝tchoum by Atchoum SA国际影视传媒� the youth rock artist, which promises to be entertaining. That show begins at 4:30 p.m. to end the daysSA国际影视传媒� events.

SA国际影视传媒擝y Jill Westerman