Theater in the WILD
From Alice’s ‘Rabbit Hole’ to ‘Dragons & Fairies’
Donald Spencer was given clear direction for his latest fantastical project in Orlando. Producer Cole NeSmith told him, “I want to do a show about dragons and fairies.”
And so the team behind last year’s whimsical “Down the Rabbit Hole” opens the clearly named “Dragons & Fairies” at Orlando’s Leu Gardens on Jan. 28.
As in “Down the Rabbit Hole,” patrons will travel through the natural landscape and come upon unusual and colorful scenes. But “Dragons & Fairies” is an even more complex and involved production than its predecessor — “leaps and bounds in front of it” — says Spencer, the writer, director and costume designer for both shows.
For one thing, there are the dragons. Nine of them, to be precise. A water dragon. A fire dragon. Forest dragons — animatronics that figure into the story. Ah, the story.
It’s designed to be adventurous and whimsical but also have a deeper meaning — “a meaty message” about getting along with those who are different, Spencer says, “that can reach people.”
The tale begins with a prologue in the style of a classic Disney animated film. And like many a movie from Mickey Mouse’s studio, parental loss plays a part.
The setting is inspired by Tir-nan-Og, or Tír na n”g, the mythical land of otherworldly creatures.
“There’s a lot you can play off, but there’s not a lot of specific back story,” Spencer says of the imaginary world. “It leaves so much to the imagination for us to create.”
“Dragons & Fairies” guests will first meet Freya, a fairy whose parents died in a great fire. That conflagration has made enemies of the fairy folk and the dragons — especially after a wizard splits the land to keep the two species apart.
“There’s a line they cannot cross,” Spencer says.
But Freya becomes curious
about what’s on the line’s other side. She meets Dauntless, a friendly dragon, there. And the adventure begins.
That adventure will have a bigger natural palette to work with — “Down the Rabbit Hole” was staged at the smaller Mead Botanical Garden.
At Leu Gardens, “Dragons & Fairies” audience members will travel along a three-quarter mile, wheelchair-accessible paved path in groups of up to 50 to watch the story unfold around them.
“You’re surrounded by the woods,” says Spencer, explaining large-scale lighting installations and sound effects will add to the ambience.
The budget for “Dragons & Fairies” is larger, too.
“That changes the scale of things,” Spencer says. “Everything can be bigger.”
But despite all the theatrical trappings, to Spencer, the heart of the show is found in Freya the curious fairy.
“We took a lot of time to create a character you’d fall in love with, be rooting for her and behind her throughout the show,” he says.
“Dragons & Fairies” comes from Creative City Project, which NeSmith leads, and The Memoir Agency, the same organizations that present the annual “Dazzling Nights” event at Leu Gardens and the Immerse festival in downtown Orlando. The creative team includes multiple people with Walt Disney World experience, including longtime choreographer-director Cindy Wilson. Spencer himself has done puppet specialty work with Disney.
Despite the dragons, the show is not overtly scary, Spencer says — nothing will be jumping out at the guests to shock
them.
“We made it so everyone could enjoy it,” he says.
‘Dragons and Fairies’
Where: Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Ave. in Orlando
When: Wednesdays-Sundays, Jan. 28-March 6
Cost: $22 Wednesdays and Thursdays, $25 Fridays-Sundays; on-site parking costs $12 Info: dragonsorlando.com
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