Velveteen Rabbit leads family fun
Plenty to see and do for kids of all ages as winter fades to spring
It’s the season of the rabbit in Vancouver theatre.
Just after the wrap of the York Theatre run of Old Trout Puppet Workshop’s Jabberwocky, which features anthropomorphic hares, Carousel Theatre is presenting another lifelike rabbit. In this show, the bunny in question is the star of a stage adaptation of a children’s classic, The Velveteen Rabbit.
“It’s very British, and that’s my family background,” said Deb Williams of the 1922 book written by British-American author Margery Williams.
“My dad read it when he was young, and he read it to me, and I read it to my kids. It’s one of those timeless pieces, even though it’s set in Edwardian England.”
Since its initial publication, The Velveteen Rabbit has been adapted for live-action, animated and even claymation shorts and features. Carousel Theatre’s is a 2012 stage adaptation by New York theatre actor/director Kevin Del Aguila.
The story follows a toy rabbit and its owner, a young boy. The boy initially discards the old-fashioned rabbit in favour of newer, shinier toys, only to become entranced by the velveteen animal after losing another toy.
“It’s a play within a play, and I’m a big storytelling proponent, so it was easy to jump into this,” Williams said.
An actress as well as a director, she is also the co-creator of the comedy trilogy Mom’s the Word, and co-creator and host of The Flame. A monthly storytelling series in Vancouver, the Flame is in its ninth year. (It usually takes place at the Cottage Bistro on Main; the next edition, on March 7, is at the Planetarium in Vanier Park.)
“The characters are creating the play as they go along using props,” Williams said. “We use the cup-and-ball, skipping ropes and clothes and stuffed animals and puppets. We started the whole process playing with things like hopscotch and marbles and board games, really physical stuff that took us back to that time of dis-
› On stage The Velveteen Rabbit When: March 3-25 Where: Waterfront Theatre Tickets and info: from $18, tickets.carouseltheatre.ca
covery and playing. It’s encouraging children to look at toys and use their imagination.”
The three actors are Steffanie Davis, Victor Mariano and Amanda Testini. They range in age from 26 (Testini) to 41 (Mariano, who plays the titular rabbit).
“He’s a martial artist, and he brings a great physical rabbit sensibility with him,” Williams said.
The actors have been teaching at Carousel for years.
“They have a real understanding of the demographic that we’re reaching for,” the director said.
Carousel is recommending the play for ages 3-8 and “their grownup companions.”
For many kids, Carousel is a gateway to theatre. With its emphasis on using imagination and blurring of what is real and what is play, The Velveteen Rabbit is an ideal introduction to the stage.
“It’s loads of fun,” Williams said. “And it’s a real heart show. It’s about life, about friendship, and what is it to be human, what is it to be a friend. And it deals with death in a really beautiful way. I think those are important questions to ask. But it’s very funny, and lovely, and imaginative. It has a lot of surprises. I really believe in the magic of theatre, and how actors and designers and creators can surprise you right before your eyes.”
It’s fun for adults, too, whether or not they’re familiar with the story.
“There are lots of jokes that will make the adults laugh as well,” Williams said. “Part of the overall feeling of the show, one that I’ve worked with the designers on, is the idea of nostalgia. Adults will recognize their childhoods. This is like a childhood over the ages. It’s modern, and old-fashioned at the same time. We’ve included it all.” Best of the Rest MR. BURNS, A POST-ELECTRIC PLAY
When: April 3-21; 8 p.m.
Where: Studio 1398
Tickets and info: From $23, theatrewire.com
After the collapse of civilization, a group of survivors piece together the plot of an episode (Cape Feare) of The Simpsons. Little Mountain Lion Productions presents the first mounting in Vancouver of Alice Washburn’s Drama League nominated (for Outstanding Production) 2012 exploration of the power of storytelling and pop culture. Suitable for teens.
VPL SPRING BREAK PROGRAMS When: March 24-31
Where: Vancouver Public Library (various branches)
Info: vpl.bibliocommons.com The VPL has a range of programs aimed at kids and teens. These include Coding Buddies, a twopart workshop in coding for
Grades 2-4; and Heroes and Boss Baddies (design your own video game) for Grades 3-7. Write, Shoot, Edit: Screenwriting for Teens is a weeklong intro to screenwriting with screenwriter Deb Patz. FESTIVAL DU BOIS When: March 23-25
Where: Mackin Park
Tickets and info: From $7, festivaldubois.ca
The annual celebration of francophone music and culture offers plenty for younger festivalgoers. An all-ages Contra Dance in the Grand Chapiteau and a variety of performers in the Children’s Tent help make the Festival du Bois a family destination event.
THE NEXT GIANT LEAP When: March 19-April 2; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily
Where: H. R. MacMillan Space Centre Tickets and info: From $13,
spacecentre.ca
Learn about the future of space exploration at family-friendly activities and new shows and demonstrations. These cover such topics as Food in Space, Robots and Your Body in Space.