Cat and mouse put fun first
Toopy and Binoo: Fun and Games
Where: Chilliwack’s HUB International Theatre Wednesday, Surrey’s Bell Performing Arts Centre on Saturday, Vancouver’s Orpheum on Sunday, Duncan’s Cowichan Theatre on Oct. 18, Victoria’s McPherson Playhouse on Oct. 19, Kamloops’ Sagebrush Theatre on Oct. 21, Prince George’s CN Centre on Oct. 23, Fort St. John’s North Peace Cultural Centre on Oct. 25. More information: For full tour dates, visit toopyandbinooontour.com Tickets: ticketmaster. ca or 1- 855- 985- 5000
In the wacky world of toddlers, where bubbles are made for popping and beds are best for jumping, adventure can be found in the strangest places.
Bedroom closets are dark caves ready for excavation, white walls a blank canvas for crayon Picassos and blankets stacked in a pile are a mountain ready for scaling.
It all sounds like an episode of Toopy and Binoo, that kooky Treehouse television program starring Toopy the mouse and his silent sidekick Binoo, a cat, where their imagination knows no bounds. Based on the children’s books by Dominique Jolin, the cartoon is all cheery and bright with singsongy scripts that lure young viewers in with their magical, mesmerizing colours and tales.
And now the kid- magnet hit is taking to the stage in a cross-Canada tour called Toopy and Binoo: Fun and Games. They’ll be performing in Chilliwack on Wednesday before jumping all around British Columbia in the coming weeks and then heading east.
The story unfolds when a toy chest full of mismatched games and puzzles ignites the pair’s creativity. They dance around, wiggle with smiling snakes and try to outsmart a gang of dancing ladders. Chuck in some tea- partying cats, energetic Dusteroos and a flock of funloving sheep, and parents too will find themselves in a fantasy land. The show involves music, theatre, dance, puppetry and multimedia technology, according to Koba Entertainment, and is choreographed by lifelong classical ballet dancer Patti Caplette. For many children, it will be one of their first introductions to live theatre.
We spoke to Toopy ahead of the show to find out what audiences might expect to see:
Q Kids here can’t wait to see you. Do you have anything to say to your fans ahead of the show?
A Binoo and I can’t wait to see you, too — fabulous, fabulous you! And wherever you’re hiding, we’ll find you! Q Have you ever been to B. C.? What did you think of this place? A Binoo and I love B. C. We love riding on the ferry boats. We like to go back and forth and back and forth and back and forth, and maybe this time we’ll have a picnic! Q Where is the craziest place you like to adventure? A Under our bed! There are fabulous bed monsters that live there, and they are so much fun.
Q What’s your favourite song? A Well, some of you may remember from our last show, my favourite song is: Why I Love Binoo! Q You both seem to adore music. What is your favourite instrument? A Binoo loves his drums and I, of course, am fabulous on the guitar! Q Binoo never speaks. Is it hard for you to understand him? A What do you mean? Binoo always has the best ideas and is so super funny! Q What would you say your favourite hobbies are? A Binoo and I love to play games. We love dress- up games — we love our blocks and our puzzles, and our, well, just about every game. Q What is your favourite thing about Binoo? A Binoo is my best friend. He’s so wonderful! He’s cute, and cuddly, and friendly, and warm, and oh, I just love him so much! And best of all, Binoo loves me too. Q What is your favourite food? A
Why, broccoli, of course!