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The New Victory Scottish Festival Cinderella The Man Who Planted Trees My House Hansel and Gretel
 More About...The FestivalFour familiar stories--all with a twist--ingeniously brought to life on 42nd Street for audiences of every age: Welcome to the New Victory Scottish Festival! This seven week celebration highlights the significant contributions these artists have made to the field of theater for young audiences. The work presented during the annual Imaginate Festival in Scotland and at The New Victory this fall is engaging, sophisticated, adventurous and innovative. These qualities align perfectly with the New Vic's own mission to present theater that is sometimes risky, frequently challenging and always of the highest artistic merit. We are thrilled to welcome all four companies and 27 artists to New York.
More About...The Performances The New Victory Scottish Festival highlights four audience favorites from past Bank of Scotland Imaginate Festivals: Cinderella (Shona Reppe Puppets) In this tabletop puppetry version of the classic fairytale, the distressed heroine rushes to obey all her wicked stepsisters' orders--until her fairy godmother, Shona Reppe herself, comes to the rescue. Her magical touch sends Cinderella off to the royal ball and into happily ever after. My House* (Andy Manley in association with Starcatchers) An interactive piece of theater for children aged pre-K and younger, My House gently encourages audiences to explore the five senses and introduces them to the world of theater. The Man Who Planted Trees (Puppet State Theatre Company) Jean makes the acquaintance of an old shepherd and his fun-loving dog while traveling in Provence, France. Acting as narrator to their tale, he follows the duo as they spend their days planting trees, year after year. The remarkable twosome cross the countryside, transforming a bleak wasteland into a lush and beautiful forest. The Man Who Planted Trees is based on a short story by Jean Giono and has been translated into over a dozen languages since its publication in 1953. For one English version of the short story, click here. Hansel and Gretel* (Catherine Wheels Theatre Company in association with Brunton Theatre) Abandoned in the forest by their cowardly father and wicked stepmother, a brother and sister discover an amazing sweetie house made of candy. Unable to resist, they begin to nibble ... until the owner catches them in the act. The old woman takes pity on them and invites them to join her for dinner--as the entree! In this promenade-style re-imagination of the Grimm Brothers' well-known tale, the audience follows Hansel and Gretel throughout an unbelievably transformed New Victory. *Please note: Tickets to My House and Hansel and Gretel are no longer available online. For information about which performances still have tickets or to place your name on the wait list, call 646-223-3010.
More About...The Companies The UK's largest performing arts festival for kids, Imaginate also operates year-round as an agency dedicated to promoting a diverse range of high-quality performing arts activities that entertain, enrich, teach and inspire children up to 18 years of age. The award-winning Shona Reppe Puppets creates highly visual and accessible small-scale puppet productions for children and their families. Artistic director and founder Shona Reppe has performed in the United States, Canada, Japan, France, Belgium and Ireland and will perform at the Sydney Opera House in March 2010. Starcatchers explores the learning and entertainment possibilities of theater for babies and young children (0-3 years old) and their parents or caregivers. Andy Manley, an actor, creator and director for young audiences, developed My House as part of the company's first phase of development. Puppet State Theatre Company produces high quality shows that tour throughout the UK, including sold-out runs at the National Theatre in London. They've performed The Man Who Planted Trees over 800 times at arts festivals around the world. Catherine Wheels Theatre Company is committed to developing fresh, relevant and dynamic theater for young audiences. As well as producing one new show each year, they work in partnerships with local schools and tour their productions across Scotland, the UK and internationally. Previously, Catherine Wheels performed Martha and Lifeboat at The New Victory Theater.
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About...What Inspires ThemImaginate's dedication to improving the quality of children's theater in Scotland inspired The New Victory to showcase the work of Shona Reppe, Andy Manley, Puppet State Theatre Company and Catherine Wheels Theatre Company here in New York. But what prompted the artists to create these particular pieces? We asked them to explain the ideas behind their projects. Shona Reppe: Why did you decide to become a puppeteer? What inspired you to adapt the story of Cinderella? I trained as a stage designer but was always fascinated by puppets and eventually decided to create my own 'worlds' and perform with the puppets, and I haven't looked back. It was an exciting challenge to retell Cinderella in my own style and assuming the audiences were familiar with the story meant I could be more abstract with the way I told it. Puppet State Theatre: What about the story of The Man Who Planted Trees inspires you? [We like] the fact that quiet determination can have an effect on the world and, in turn, help one's life have worth. Andy Manley: What is the history and creative process behind My House? I was fascinated by the cardboard sculptures of Rosie Gibson, a Visual Artist creating work for the very young in Scotland, and also [how] children find cardboard boxes endlessly fascinating. I decided to use cardboard as the basis for the set and played about with the ideas of schematic development that very young children go through as part of their learning. Gill Robertson, Catherine Wheels Theater Company: What inspired you to stage the piece as a promenade production? I wanted the audience to be fully engaged in the story of Hansel and Gretel and this meant that they needed to be in the heart of the action. For me, the audience is Hansel and Gretel and I wanted them to experience everything that the unlucky brother and sister feel. To read more of our interviews with the artists of the New Victory Scottish Festival, visit our free FYI Exhibit installed in the gallery of the Duke on 42nd Street theater, home to Cinderella and The Man Who Planted Trees.
More...To Do While "More About" newsletters typically include a show-themed activity within the email, we're offering four fun ideas, one for each production in the Scottish Festival--and they're all available online. Click through to the newest New Vic School Tool, our resource guide for our Education Partnership teachers, but also great for families, and get started! Jazz Up Your Socks: Become a puppeteer like Shona Reppe and use household objects and your own personal style to create an original puppet. (page 10) Get a Sense of Your Senses: Explore all five senses in this short story. (page 8) Embrace Your Environment: Explore nature and the environment around you by learning more about the trees in your neighborhood. (page 12) Location, Location, Location: Put your imagination to work and create your own promenade-style performance. (page 14)
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