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TITLE OF SHOW: FABLES BY JEAN DE LaFONTAINE & MARIE FRANCE
LENGTH OF SHOW(S): 45-50-MINUTES

THEME [describe in one sentence]: Human foibles and court manners, explored through the guise of 17th-Century animals, satirized and exposed.

CONTENT [brief description of pieces in show]: The fables of Jean de LaFontaine and Marie France, stories such as “The Fox and the Stork”, “The Grasshopper and the Ant, “The Rat and the Lion”, combine to show the audience the reflection of their own foibles with laughter and glee.

GOAL [what is the purpose of this show]: To show that all human beings have similar \foibles no matter what their position in life.

POINT OF VIEW OF ARTISTS [brief description]: Both Bob and Dana have taken delight in exposing their own and others foibles through their art forms for years. FABLES gives them a delightful opportunity to do just that, while witnessing the human plight of the authors who had to recant in order to save their heads.

CLASSIFICATION [i.e.: ADULT, FESTIVAL, FAMILY, YOUNG AUDIENCE]: Festival and Family audiences. It has often been included in children’s festivals, such as Osoyoos, Penticton, Kelowna and Saskatoon.

PRESENTATION [skills used to present show]: 18 handsome, larger-than-life sized animal masks, historical costuming, a charming set based on Croatian primitive painters, Henri Rousseau and children’s drawings from Wales, depicting the four seasons and energetic story-telling are the focal points of this colourful production. Modern, balletic and historical dance and music from the 17th-Century, all add to the overall texture of this show. The vocabulary of the show is based on LaFontaine’s delight in verbal play and layered meanings –– what can go over the head of a 6-year old, hits a 40-year old smack in the head! Whimsical, lyrical and deceptively gentle, this show creates a fantasy of colour, sound and textures.

TARGET AUDIENCE [i.e.: Seniors, multi-cultural groups, etc.]: Festival and Family audiences, 8-years old and up. Since the production can be performed bi-lingually in French and English, many French communities have expressed interest in its vitality to their owns seasons. It is also available in a 50-minute school version.

CAST [see Bios]: Robert Greenwood (actor) and [Mr.] Dana Luebke (dancer-actor)

LANGUAGE(S) IN WHICH SHOW IS PERFORMED: English; French and English

PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS AVAILABLE:
Poster blanks
Coloured slides
Video-clips [VHS-NTSC and PAL formats]
Black and White photos
Colour photos
Video clips
Preview articles
Reviews
Letters from children
Teacher evaluations

WHERE SHOW HAS BEEN SUCCESSFULLY PERFORMED OR WORLD PREMIERE, ETC.: This show was premiered in Calgary during Sun.Ergos’ Subscription Seasons. It has been seen at Harbourfront, Toronto, Ontario, and in children’s festivals in Sparwood, B.C., and Saskatoon, in schools and in community series.

REFERENCES FOR SHOW:
Dorothy Hawley, French Teacher, Calgary, Alberta
Joan Flood, Director, INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Director, SPARWOOD SUMMERFEST, Sparwood, British Columbia

WORDS WHICH HAVE BEEN USED TO DESCRIBE THE SHOW:
detailed, professional, crafted, colourful, high-energy, stylish, evocative, fun, delightful, charmed, distinctive, quality, fabulous, authenticity

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