Log In

Reset Password
BERMUDA | RSS PODCAST

Some bizarre antics

up, the whole production would have made more sense.Circus Dream certainly sent some kids in the audience into dreamland at first show of the Kidfest recently.

up, the whole production would have made more sense.

Circus Dream certainly sent some kids in the audience into dreamland at first show of the Kidfest recently.

It seemed as though the adults in the audience were enjoying the show more than the children, who it was aimed at.

My nephew looked as though he would rather be playing with his Gameboy than watch the show.

The Desrosiers Dance Theatre, based in Toronto, Canada, did their best to keep the sold-out audience at City Hall entertained.

As an adult watching the show, I had no clue what I was watching.

It wasn't until after the show when I was looking at a brochure, given to me by Kidfest organiser Paula Maguire, that the pieces fell into place.

But misunderstanding aside, Circus Dream was certainly a show to behold.

The bizarre antics of the characters on stage kept the audience roaring with laughter.

When a sleepy Pierrots finally fell asleep, after struggling with a blanket that was too short, the audience was transported into her dream about the circus.

There was a dancing bull that played jump-rope, a horse preformed tricks with his disappearing dragonfly.

But by far the best was the scene where a clown lost his solo boxing match when he knocked himself out.

The costumes and lighting helped to keep things interesting.

The bright neon colours of the costumes were wonderful under the black light.

The use of shadow helped you to stay focused on the stage rather than the conversation beside you.

After the show three dancers came out to answer any questions the young audience might have.

They explained that the six-person dance group was made up of dancers from Columbia, Poland, Toronto and Spain.

They told one little boy that choreographer, Robert Desrosiers had been playing with the idea for Circus Dream for a year before rehearsals began.

The dancers only had six weeks of rehearsal before their first performance.

A new aspect to Kidfest was this year's School Tour.

Eth-Noh-Tec, the duo of Nancy Wang and Robert Yngojo, retold some Asian folk tales, myths and legends as well as Asian American stories during assemblies at various schools.

The name comes from "the weaving (tec) of cultures (eth), East and West, to create new possibilities (noh)''.

The use of rhythmic dialogue, lively facial expressions, similar to Asian theatre masks, music and choreographed dance brought together the performing arts of the East and West.

A Eth-Noh-Tec brochure said: "(their) mission is to build cultural bridges that celebrate our humanity, embrace our differences, shift consciousness and create compassionate communities through the performance of Asian and Asian American stories that touch upon universal truths''.

Even though Kidfest was not what I expected it to be, it was an interesting experience.