May 24, 2008
The Ottawa Citizen
Ottawa International Children’s Festival: A world of fun awaits kids of all ages
Festival presents “wild” Henry V, international works
By Patrick Langston
Attic Under the Sky
Four actors, a boxing ring and 50 minutes: that’s all that Theatre GrueneSosse of Germany needs to mount Shakespeare’s Henry V. Well, a somewhat reimagined version of Henry V. And a “completely wild” one according to Catherine O’Grady, artistic producer of the Ottawa International Children’s Festival, which is hosting this one-of-a-kind Henry along with six other acts starting Wednesday at LeBreton Flats Park.
“How do you create a whole army with just four actors?” asks O’Grady. “They’ve got some really innovative devices they use for soldiers.”
The festival, whose byword is “innovative,” runs until next Sunday at the festival park next to the Canadian War Museum. Shows take place in two large tents and in the museum’s atelier and Barney Danson Theatre, while wandering performers, face painting and other activities round out the fun.
The lineup of shows includes The Attic Under the Sky by Denmark’s Carte Blanche. A Blend of puppetry, music, object animation and mime, it tells the story of a little girl’s search for family and identity through artefacts she discovers in an attic.
“I first saw it in Denmark in 2005,” says O’Grady, “and it’s absolutely beautiful, a quite gentle show. It’s my personal favourite this year.”
Kling Klang is another Danish show, this one the work of Det Lille Turnétheater. It explores musical rhythm using everyday objects.
Rhode Island-based Big Nazo, meanwhile, is a feast of visual arts, giant puppets and outsized-mask-wearing musicians which O’Grady describes as “Jimi Hendrix meets the Muppets.” The performers improvise skits involving contortionists, break-dancing policemen and mountain trolls, engaging audience members in the creation of comedic chaos.
The circus comes to the festival courtesy of Montreal’s hilarious two-man Circo Comedia. And youngsters learn the value of tolerance from that same city’s Théâtre de l”Oeil, whose puppet show, A New World, is presented alternately in English and French.
Also enticing is The Postman. A production of France’s Vélo Théâtre, the actor creates stories from the parcels he’s carrying using nothing but images, music and the audience’s imagination.
“Shows like Vélo’s are the work of European masters who have committed their whole lives to doing this work,” says O’Grady.
Juno-winning children’s recording artist Jen Gould will also perform. And check out the U.K’s Architects of Air. Inspired bi Islamic architecture and loved by kids, the giant inflatable structure is a labyrinth of ever-changing sound and light.
The Ottawa International Children’s Festival runs Wednesday to Sunday at LeBreton Flats Park. Tickets & times, 613-241-0999.
