Windsor’s Mermaid Theatre headed to China

Seventh tour of China will feature Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny

Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia’s adaptation of Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny is slated for further international adventures.

The Windsor company will return to the People’s Republic of China on July 20 to introduce its acclaimed production to audiences in 12 cities. Following a six- performance engagement at the Shanghai Children’s Art Theatre, the show will travel to Hefei, Hangzhou, Wuhan, Shijiazhuang, Beijing, Taicang, Jinan,Wenzhou, Shenzhen, Xiamen, Guangzhou and Ordos (Inner Mongolia) for Mermaid’s seventh tour of China.

Adapted from Margaret Wise Brown’s beloved classic, Goodnight Moon is a celebration of familiar nighttime rituals, while The Runaway Bunny’s pretend tale of leaving home evokes reassuring responses from his loving mum. Both feature the endearing animal pup- pets, stunning scenic effects and evocative music that have earned international praise for Mermaid. First presented in 2010, Mermaid’s adaptation has been seen by more than 251,500 spectators throughout Canada, the United States, Hong Kong and Macau.

Jim Morrow directed the production and served as production designer. Steven Naylor, Mermaid’s artistic advisor for music and sound design, cre- ated the nostalgic music. The Mandarin – language version edition features recorded narration by Dashan, the legendary Canadian- born stage and television performer acknowledged as the most famous foreign artist in China. Company members include Graeme Black Robinson, Michael Venn, Michelle Urbano and stage manager Larry Copeland.

Founded in 1972 and based in rural Nova Scotia, Mermaid The- atre of Nova Scotia is currently Canada’s most widely travelled performing arts company for young spectators. The company has performed for more than six million spectators.