The Tooth Fairy: how much are your teeth worth?
In this Preposterous Fable, young Abigail, “the girl with the greatest teeth in the world” embarks upon a journey. This is no ordinary sojourn mind you. This one is fraught with emotional sea monsters, melodiously evil pirates, a truly wet ocean tempest and conniving boat thieves just to name a few of the perils she must face. Of course life for Abigail used to be much easier. Her smile lit up the world, she sang with the birds, danced with the butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker. People would do anything for the young darling as long as she smiled that gleaming smile. But as with all tales of innocence, there comes a time when that cruel world that Grampa always gripes about, finds you wandering in the woods and offers you an apple. And poor sweet naïve Abigail just happens to be hungry.
The Old Trout’s first brought the fable to life in 2001 and this current version of happenings in the murky night (currently on at the Cultch) is as immediate as ever. What would you do if suddenly all your financial woes could be solved by gabbing a pair of pliers and relinquishing all your chompers to a bearded fairy who comes tapping at your window with a bag of coins? For some people the temptation may be a little too much, and right or wrong what affect does it have on the cosmos? In these days of constricted financial belts and corporate responsibility woes we all face heavy decisions, so it is refreshing to enjoy a tale of acceptance, growth, understanding and the nobility in choosing the right course of action. It’s even more fun to enjoy it Old Trout style.
If you’ve never seen anythng by the Old Trout Puppet Workshop before, you simply must. And if you have, then go see this show ‘cause it’s all fresh-farmed Trouts under the direction of an original, Pete Balkwill and this cast delivers. From the fine-feathered birds to the gnashing of Leopold the pirate-swallowing sea monster, they play as an ensemble truly enjoying what they are doing. In an unexpected talk back, audience of all ages asked questions and the query of the scary came up. “How have the kids responded?” While the answer included, “It’s for ages 7 and up.” they also quoted their composer (another original) David Rhymer; “Every child has a fear, they just need to put a name on it.” And really, who could be afraid of the Tooth Fairy?
Hurry, it’s the last play in the Cultch’s 09/10 Youth Program and at this Saturday’s matinee the ArtBus will hold a puppet-making workshop for 10 lucky kids.
Created by the Old Trout Puppet Workshop and on at the Historic Theatre at the Cultch, The Tooth Fairy runs only until May 1st. For more info, hurry here.