Morinville children get a fresh view of kindness and compassion when the Quest Theatre touring group presents Snow Angel this coming Saturday afternoon.
In celebration of its 30th anniversary, the Calgary-based company has some heavy touring slated for Chicago Children’s Theatre, Manitoba’s Theatre for Young People and the biggie, Ottawa’s National Arts Centre.
“It’s a huge deal,” says artistic director Nikki Loach, referring to the Ottawa tour that will cement the company’s reputation on the national stage as a leader of children’s theatre.
The troupe was originally founded in 1984 after two long-time friends, Duval Lang and Rick McNair, were commissioned to produce a children’s play at Calaway Park. McNair’s first play was Doll Wars, a cross between the then popular Cabbage Patch dolls and the newly released Star Wars franchise.
The duo’s pioneering efforts had staying power, and they attracted leading Canadian playwrights such as Sharon Pollock, Clem Martini, Vern Thiessen.
By 1992, massive budget cuts forced the exodus of many fine arts specialists in schools. Quest stepped in to fill the new artist-in-residence programs travelling thousands of kilometers from southern Alberta to the north and back again.
By 2008, Lang stepped down after 25 years at the helm and Loach was appointed artistic director. Loach had started with the theatre troupe in 1988 as a student and never left.
“There’s something fantastic about working with young people. You feel you have a purpose.”
Once at the controls, Loach added her spin. She opted for used in-house talent to collaborate and create theatrical magic using physical theatre, mask, puppetry, live music and projections.
Snow Angel is Quest’s first in-house collaboration. It is about Angela (LĂ©da Davies) and her brother, Ethan (Jason Mancini). He enjoys playing hockey and practical jokes. She likes to follow him around.
One day she befriends the old man (Matthew McKinney) next door. Ethan, jealous of Angela’s friendship with the old man, creates an unforgivable incident.
“Angela steps in and shows that a little act of kindness is important in a big way. She shows you can be a beacon of hope. That an act of kindness can have big ripples, not just for you but for the community.”
The 55-miniute production, mounted at Morinville Cultural Centre, is performed completely in mime with original music written by Calgary bluegrass composer Tim Williams.
Preview
Snow Angel<br />Quest Theatre<br />Saturday, Jan. 23 at 1:30 p.m.<br />Morinville Community Cultural Centre<br />9502 – 100 Ave.<br />Tickets: Single $10, Family of four $30 Call 780-939-7838 or at tixonthesquare.ca
