Memories of a Tree

Compagnie Sac-A-Dos, Belgium
Shows in English and French
45 minutes
Age 3-7
Puppetry/Theatre/Music

An old tree remembers - how the wind blew, the way caterpillars crept, the day a frog became lost. This gentle show transports us inside a tree where memories are cherished and magic reigns. In an exchanting blend of puppetry and theatre we meet a flying tortoise, a red butterfly, and a little boy who plays on a swing.

Schedule: All performances at Downstairs Hall
May 22: 11:00am, 1:30pm (French)
May 23: 10:30am, 12:30pm (French)
May 24: 10:00am (French), 1:00pm
May 25: 9:30am, 11:30am 1:30pm (French)
May 26: 11:00am, 2:30pm

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Dib & Dob & The Journey Home

Roseneath Theatre, Ontario
45 minutes
Ages 4-10
Theatre

"I love my brother but sometimes he drives me crazy!" Dib always wants to be the boss of everything, including his younger brother Dob. That's a problem, especially when they become lost in the woods! It's getting dark and… Hey wait a minute… Is that tree moving??!! The award-winning Roseneath Theatre has created a magical show that honours what children know best: curiosity, relationships, mystery and forgiveness. This hilarious production has a big surpise at the end!

Schedule:
All performances at the Max Bell Theatre
May 22: 1:00pm
May 23: 9:30am, 11:30am

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Circus

Theatre Terra, Netherlands
60 minutes
Ages 4 and up
Theatre/Puppetry

In his heyday, Grandpa was a spectacular circus artist. Inspired by his high-flying stories of adventure, Jimmy decides to create his own circus - in Grandpa's nursing home! The acclaimed Theatre Terra was sold out in their last visit with Swansdown. A unique world of animals, trapeze, and more emerge in this breathtaking European production brimming with fun and humour.

Schedule:
All performances at Martha Cohen Theatre (MC)
May 24: 12:30pm, 7:30pm
May 26: 10:00am, 12:45pm
May 27: 2:00pm, 7:00pm

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Zoom at Sea and Other Zoom Stories

Rag and Bone Puppet Theatre, Ontario
45 minutes
Ages 5 - 9
Puppetry

"More waves! More sun! More fish!" shouts Zoom back to shore. His rollicking ocean voyage is just one of the adventures that Zoom shares with his friend Maria. Join this spunky kitten on an Arctic expedition where birds laugh and seals clap. Then it is on to a thrilling Egyptian escapade, complete with a mummy! Premiering at the National Arts Centre, this production of the award-winning Zoom stories by Tim Wynne-Jones celebrates happy adventures about living life to the fullest.

Schedule:
All performances at the Engineered Air Theatre
May 22: 11:30am
May 23: 12:15pm, 1:30pm
May 24: 9:30am, 11:00am
May 25: 9:30am, 11:00am
May 26: 1:30pm, 3:30pm

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Snow White

Tall Stories, England
60 minutes
Ages 5 and up
Theatre/Music/Mime

In a world where mirrors and answer back and snowflakes fall like feathers from the sky, a young girl grows up. With skin as white as snow and hair as black as ebony, Snow White is the fairest of them all, until trouble arrives. Despite seven helpful friends, Snow White is in grave danger. Can she survive a poisoned apple? Will she live happily ever after?

Schedule:
All performances at Big Secret Theatre
May 22: 10:30am, 1:00pm
May 23: 10:00am, 1:00pm
May 24: 11:00am, 1:00pm
May 25: 11:00am, 1:00pm
May 26: 12:30pm, 3:00pm

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Moonlit Night

Arad Goch, Wales
45 minutes
Ages 6 to 12
Storytelling

"A strange tale of standing stones and fairy rings, of sweet music and merriment, one moonlit night a hundred years ago," awaits you. Peopled with kings who have secrets and farmers who make silly mistakes, these beloved Welsh tales have been passed down orally from generation to generation. Arad Goch was completely sold out in 1997 with their unforgettable presentation of Taliesin. Masterful storytelling combines with mesmerizing language in Moonlit Night to create a show that is sometimes wise, sometimes spooky, sometimes hilarious, and sometimes mysterious.

Schedule:
All performances at the Engineered Air Theatre
May 23: 9:30am, 11:00am
May 24:12:15pm, 1:30pm
May 25:12:15pm, 1:30pm
May 26:11:00am, 12:15pm

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A Pocketful of Fun

Theatre Kazenoko, Japan
60 minutes
Ages 6 and up
Puppetry/Theatre/Dance/Music

Pinwheels, paper, bubbles and bamboo transport us to a village scene in Japan. Merchants call out to passersby. Children discover enchanting new toys. Like brilliant origami, a Pocketful of Fun unfolds. With abundant imagination, these outstanding performers transform everyday objects and capture the hearts of young and old. A "fireworks" show created with paper umbrellas, spinning plates and more rounds out the finale. Kazenoko is renowned worldwide as Japan's most prestigious theatre company.

Schedule:
All performances at Max Bell Theatre
May 23: 7:00pm
May 24: 12:30pm, 7:00pm
May 25: 1:15pm
May 26: 1:30pm, 3:30pm

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The Happy Prince

Fondazione AIDA, Italy
45 minutes
Ages 6 and up
Theatre/Puppetry

Do you remember the famous story of the swallow and the Prince's statue? Surrounded by poverty and saddened by it, the statue asks the swallow to pluck out his precious eyes to raise money to feed the poor. As the classic tale unfolds, characters are ingeniously created from colourful sheets of paper. Butterflies, frogs, clouds and swallows gradually fill the stage in this magical, Italian adaptation that allows the Oscar Wilde story to be enjoyed by children and adults.

Schedule:
All performances at the John, Dutton Theatre
May 23: 11:00am, 1:00pm
May 24: 10:30am, 12:30pm
May 25: 9:30am, 11:00am
May 26: 1:30pm, 3:00pm

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Tokebi

Pung Mu Ak, Korea
55 minutes
Ages 6 and up
Percussion/Spectacle

Korea comes to the festival with a bang - literally! Seven master drummers whirl onto the stage as we quickly learn why this Seoul-based group is comparable to Stomp. Barrels, gongs, bamboo, pots, brooms, wood blocks, and more become instruments as these young Koreans fuse their countries traditional style of percussion to the boisterous rhythms of 2001. Ancient traditions meet rock and roll in the Canadian premier.

Schedule:
All performances at the Max Bell Theatre
May 24: 10:30am
May 25: 7:00pm
May 26: 11:30am

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Mur-Mur/The Wall

Dynamo Théâtre, Québec
45 minutes
Ages 9 and up
Physical Theatre

One hectic day in the life of five lively kids becomes a back-flipping, gravity defying masterpiece in this astonishing somersault of a production. Outstanding physical agility and captivating humour illuminate a poingnant world of young friendship and discovery. Dialogue is at a bare minimum, leaving room for heart-stopping gymnastics almost entirely on a wall. Mur-Mur aims straight at your sense of wonder and its target every time.

Schedule:
All performances at the Martha Cohen Theatre
May 22: 1:00pm, 7:00pm
May 23: 11:00am, 7:00pm

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Grand Dérangement

Grand Dérangement, Nova Scotia
45 minutes
All ages
Music/Dance

There's a step-dancin', foot-stompin', crowd-pleasin' party about to happen - and you're invited. Join this talented Maritime troupe for a joyous celebration of their Acadian heritage. The fiddle tunes spark and the step dancers sizzle with just enough ballet to make you hold your breath. This group unifies music and dance in a show that's won awards in both French and English Canada for its stunning new view of Canadian music.

Schedule:
All performances at the Jack Singer Concert Hall
May 23: 11:00am, 1:30pm
May 25: 10:30am, 1:00pm
May 26: 12:15pm

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Pied Piper of Sign

David Parker, USA
60 minutes
All ages show
Music/Sign Language/Dance

One o'clock, two o'clock, three'oclock rock! Here is a rousing show that will have you singing and counting along - in sign language. David captivates crowds with his lively blend of sign, music, mime, and humour. His goal is to break down barriers of race, age, and physical handicap by promoting self-esteem. He gives the audience permission to play, with such high energy, that you will quickly see why he has been dubbed "a National Treasure."

Schedule:
May 24: 10:00am - Jack Singer Hall
May 25: 1:00pm - John Dutton Theatre, 7:00pm - Martha Cohen Theatre
May 26: 11:00am - Martha Cohen Theatre

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Small Rooms

Small Rooms, Manitoba
45 minutes
All ages
Music

Fill your musical cup with tight harmonies and super songs. Add a dash of intricate guitar work and a dollop of fun and you have a delightful brew that is strong, flavourful, and really hits the spot. This folk music trio features three veteran musicians from the Canadian folk music scene who love to perform for children. Get ready to sing along.

Schedule:
May 26: 11:00am - John Dutton Theatre, 6:30pm - Big Secret Theatre

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Circo Comedia

Smythe & Saucier, Quebec
45 minutes
All ages show
Physical theatre

A cartoon baby who belts out rock and roll? A daredevil who balances atop a house of cards? Hang on to the edge of your seat and rev up for some flat-out fun with Circo Comedia. Combine a trick cyclist, formerly of Cirque du Soleil, with an eccentric clown who's been compared to Red Skelton and presto!…you have a madcap performance that includes juggling, magic, trick cycling, stilt-walking, and rib-tickling laughs.

Schedule:
May 25: 9:30am, 11:15am - Max Bell Theatre
May 26: 10:30am - Jack Singer Hall, 7:00pm - Max Bell Theatre

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Family Night

Norman Foote, British Columbia
60 minutes
All ages show
Physical Comedy/Music

Warning: This show is dangerously funny. It has reduced audiences worldwide to gales of laughter they have been powerless to stop. Norman's potential for sophisticated nonsense and non-stop fun staggers the imagination. His props with attitude invade the stage. Norman Foote has been called the "Robin Williams of children's music" and the "Howie Mandel of children's theatre."

Schedule:
May 23: 7:00pm - Jack Singer Concert Hall

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Jigsaw Benefit Concert and Silent Auction

May 26: 3:30pm - Jack Singer Hall

75 minutes
All ages
Variety

The festival's all-time favourite show with music, dance, comedy, spectacle and more. Hosted by David Parker and featuring Circo Comedia, Arad Goch, Tokebi, Grand Dérangement, and Small Rooms.

The auction begins at 2:30 p.m. in the lobby. Bid on terrific items donated by local businesses. Proceeds to support the Outreach Fund, which helps economically disadvantaged children attend the Festival.

Open Air Fun

Olympic Plaza

Enjoy roving performers, face painting, craft making, storytelling and more. Remember it is the ticket buyers who enable the Festival to offer these free activities.

Face Painting The General Store Hands On Playground Nylon Zoo The real Canadian Superstage Roving Performers Stephie the Stegosaurus Storytelling Tent Get Crackin' Craft Tent The Moo-tivity Tent