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Children’s Play Aladdin Back in Montreal

Jessica Howard — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 16:29:16 +0000

Aladdin by Left of Centre Theatre Company.

You know a show has kids’ attention when they’re calling out “No!” or “He’s right behind you!” to the characters on the stage.

That’s part of the joy of staging the show Aladdin for Simone Nichol, director of Left of Centre Theatre Company. After a very positive response to the show last year, Nichol is bringing it back to several venues in February and March.

The show tells the story of Aladdin and his lamp, but when Aladdin falls in love with Princess Jasmine, things go awry and the lamp gets stolen. In true pantomime style, the show features a far-fetched plot, slapstick, some cross-dressing, and a script written to appeal to kids and grownups.

The children sit on the floor, right in front of the action, and their participation is very much encouraged. The story is told with just a few props, but Nichol says it keeps kids engaged for 90 minutes (with 10-minute break), because of the interactive nature of the script. The characters are played by trained actors, including Oliver Koomsatira as Aladdin, who received the 2008 Elsa Bolam award for emerging artist.

Nichol recommends the show for age 4 and up, but she says children as young as two – who won’t follow the whole storyline – can still come along for the ride.

Here’s the lineup for Aladdin (all performances are in English):

At Victoria Hall, 4626 Sherbrooke St. W., Westmount
Feb. 19 and 20 at 2 p.m.

At Centaur Theatre, 453 St. François Xavier St., Old Montreal
Feb. 26 at 10:30 a.m.

At St. George Anglican Church, 1101 Stanley St.
Feb. 26 and 27 at 2:30 p.m.
March 6 at 2:30 p.m.

Cost: Adults $12, children $8
Tickets: 514-523-2716 or leftofcentretheatre@gmail.com
Watch the promo video.

If you’ve seen the show, leave your comments below!

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Christmas Shows for Kids in Montreal

Jessica Howard — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 03:37:32 +0000

There’s a flurry of seasonal children’s shows happening between now and Christmas. It’s a good idea to think about booking tickets now, especially because the kids will soon be out of school for two weeks. Here’s the rundown:

Nov. 23 to Dec. 19: Pain d’Épice, a puppet show in French for age 2 to 5, about a pastry chef who makes a gingerbread man that comes to life, at Illusion Theatre, 783 de Bienville St., Montreal. On Saturdays and Sundays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. 514-523-1303.

Nov. 27 to Dec. 18 at 1 p.m.: Shilvi performances will be held at the Christmas village in Complexe Desjardins. More information about Shilvi. Also, on Sundays through Dec. 19, Petite Jacinthe et Victor will perform at 1 p.m. Free.

Dec. 2 to 10: Le Voyage, at La Maison Théâtre
A puppet and storytelling show about a boy travelling to meet his father on the other side of the world. The story takes place between Quebec and Japan, with the boy’s mother telling him stories along the way.
Age: 6 to 9
Cost: Adults $22.15, children $18.15 (if you order online)
More information, video clip and tickets.

Dec. 2 to 19: A Christmas Carol at Rialto Theatre
A musical adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic, in English, proceeds go toward various charities
Cost: Adults, $17.50, children $14
More information and tickets

Dec. 4 at 10:30 a.m.: The Enormous Nose, at Centaur Theatre
A prince has to learn to live with his enormous nose, performed by drama students from Lauren Hill Academy.
Full description and ticket information

Dec. 5, 12 and 19 at 11 a.m.: Le Petit Noël de Quebec Issime, at Place des Arts
A musical adapted for a young audience about elves in Santa’s workshop.
Age: 3 to 10
Cost: $10 per person
More information and tickets

Dec. 11 to 30: The Nutcracker, by Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, at Place des Arts
Age: 5 and up
Cost: $20 to $114
More information and tickets

Dec. 16 to Jan. 2: Disney Live! at Théâtre St. Denis
Live stage production featuring Disney characters. Most shows in French, a few in English.
Cost: $18.50 to $85
More information and tickets.

Dec. 18 to 30: Quidam by Cirque du Soleil, at the Bell Centre.
The show focuses on a young girl who escapes into a world of imagination; there are villain characters, could be scary for young children.
Cost: $61 to $137.50
More information and tickets.

Dec. 19: Un Conte de Noël, at Les Jeunesses Musicales du Canada
A musical, interactive interpretation of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. At 11 a.m. for age 3 to 5 (sold out), and at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. for age 6 to 12.
Cost: $8 per person
More information and tickets.

Dec. 19 at 3 p.m.: Santa’s Cold at Stewart Hall in Pointe Claire
A puppet show for age 2 to 7 about Santa getting a cold at Christmas time.
Cost: Free, but passes required.
Passes: 514-630-1220.

Dec. 27 to 30: AleaCanto, by Opéra de Montréal, at Place des Arts
Singers, musicians and actors perform famous songs from genres ranging from opera to pop. Some performances in French, some in English.
Age: 5 and up
Cost: $18 per person, $10 for OdM subscribers or $60 for family package (4 people).
More information and tickets.

Through Jan. 9: Santa Vs. the Snowman, a 3D film at the Montreal Science Centre
More information and tickets.

Main photo courtesy of Mark Strozier.

Les Coups de Théâtre

Jessica Howard — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 18:43:43 +0000

A la belle étoile is a show for age 5 and up. Courtesy of Les Coups de Théâtre

Les Coups de Théâtre, an international performing arts festival for young audiences, kicks off today and runs through Nov. 28.

The programming, which involves dance and theatre, is aimed at children age 4 and up, and performances are being held at downtown-area venues.

There are shows in French, English and without dialogue. This Montreal Gazette article about Les Coups de Theatre highlights a show from Australia called Dr. Egg and the Man with No Ear.

Les Coups de Théâtre
When: Nov. 15 to 28, 2010
Where: Various venues downtown and in the Plateau (including Place des Arts, La Grande Bibliothèque, Usine C, Monument National, etc.)
See list of shows

Karius and Bactus at Théâtre de l’Esquisse

Jessica Howard — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 02:03:29 +0000

“Are you eating your broccoli?”
“Did you really brush your teeth well?”
“Dad gave you how many marshmallows?”

No one enjoys badgering their kids with these kinds of questions. But, as parents, it’s our job to drone on about healthy eating and hygiene.

This weekend, you can sit back and let the children’s play Karius and Bactus do the teaching. It’s about two tooth trolls who are living happily in the mouth of a little boy named Jacques. And why not? This kid eats lots of white bread and chocolate.

Karius and Bactus spend their days singing and drilling holes in Jacques’ teeth. Until one day, he gets a toothache. What will happen to the tooth trolls when Jacques starts brushing his teeth, or (gasp!) visits the dentist?

A bilingual (French and English) adaptation of this classic Norwegian children’s play, for age 3 to 8, will be on at Théâtre de l’Esquisse on Sunday, Nov. 7 at 1:30 p.m. Here are the details:

Karius and Bactus
When: Sunday, Nov. 7 at 1:30 p.m.
Where: Theatre de l’Esquisse, 1650 Marie Anne St. E.
Cost: $10 per child, $12 per adult, or $10 per person for families of four and more.
Reservations: Call 514-527-5797 or email esquisse@theatredelesquisse.qc.ca

Children’s Theatre Season Kicks Off

Jessica Howard — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 03:51:21 +0000

Several local theatres and production companies stage children’s theatre and musical performances for kids starting in the fall. Here’s a rundown of some of the children’s theatre coming up in Montreal:

Sept. 24: Maison Théâtre kicks off its season with L’envol de l’ange, for age 8 to 12. It’s next production, Ginko et la Jardinière is for age 4 to 8. French.

Sept. 26: The Place des Arts Junior program launches with Un Cadeau pour Sophie, a musical performance for age 5 and up. French.

Oct. 6 to 11: Disney on Ice: Princesses and Heroes is on at the Bell Centre. French and English.

Oct. 16: Centaur Theatre Children’s Series starts with A Few Grimm Tales (back by popular demand). English.

Oct. 17: Laval’s Salle André Mathieu presents L’Ombre de l’escargot, for age 5 to 9. In November, there will be a Shilvi show, for age 3 to 8. French.

Oct. 24: Jeunesses Musicales family performances start, with Le Petit Homme aux cheveux roux, one show for age 3 to 5, one for age 6 to 12. French.

Oct. 28: The Wiggles Wiggly Circus at the Bell Centre (2 shows). English.

Nov. 5: Geordie Productions launches its season with For Art’s Sake, for age 5 and up. English.

Finger puppets main image courtesy of Stoneflower.