Entertaining tiny audience is child’s play
Young People’s Theatre proves you’re never too young to enjoy a good show
Toronto’s Young People’s Theatre has a long history of performing for kids, but it recently welcomed its youngest audience ever: a group of delighted drooling babies, with a special play crafted just for them.
One Thing Leads to Another is aimed at babies aged 3 to 12 months, but suitable for kids up to 2 years old.
Six-month-old Johnny sat transfixed beside parents Elodie Gillett and Martin Happer at a recent performance, pausing only to chew on the program as actors blew bubbles, hummed, played peek-a-boo, waved colourful silks and banged on pots and pans at the front of the room.
The show received a rave review from the budding theatre fan.
“He loved it so much he pooped his pants,” Gillett said with a laugh.
The young family drove from Niagara-on-the-Lake to see the inaugural performance of the play after friends posted about it on Facebook.
Happer said it was fun to see his son reacting to something at a distance and not just right in front of him.
“It seemed like his attention was grabbed enough. Obviously, every once and a while he was more interested in his shoelace. But that’s bound to happen”
About 20 babies and their caregivers sat spread out on colourful blankets, with plush toys around them during the 30-minute wordless play.
After it was over, babies were invited to come to the front of the room and play with the props.
For performer Audrey Dwyer, baby theatre can be a great way for little ones to learn together.
“It’s just a total delight to see them engaged and smiling and really enjoying themselves and each other,” she said.
Director Mary Francis Moore said the play was based on two years of research into how babies’ brains work and aims to create an “immersive environment” for parents.
“I remember when I had small children; just getting somewhere is half the battle,” she said after the show.
“The fact that the parents could just sit down, take a breath and be present, then that gives the babies permission to do it as well”
Moore said everything in the play was deliberate, from bouncing balls so babies could feel the vibrations, to unfurling silk that reminds people of laundry.
She said her goal was for “parents to have awareness that the everyday can be magical.”
“We get so task-oriented as a parent and there’s so many experts telling you what to do,” she added.
“Sometimes, it’s as simple as rolling a ball on the floor.”
One Thing Leads to Another is playing until Feb. 21. Stroller parking is available.