Everybody loves a day at the beach, right?
A show for preschoolers and toddlers is coming to a 400-seat theatre in Surrey with a “an enchanting seaside tale in an underwater world of make-believe.”
It’s called “Waves,” toured here by Quebec-based company, Théâtre des Confettis.
The show, billed as an introduction to live performances for kids aged 18 months to four years, will be staged twice Saturday, Jan. 27 at Surrey Arts Centre, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Audience members are invited to step into a magical story-time tent, set on the Main Stage at the Bear Creek Park venue.
CLICK HERE to watch a “Waves” promo video.
This example of “theatre for very young audiences” is considered a vibrant stream of theatre where production values are carefully considered to engage this audience.
“The research tells us that the arts offer children social and emotional benefits,” said Marnie Perrin, artistic director of Surrey SPARK Stages, a series of events for kids and families.
“We’re proud to be bringing innovative performances created specifically for preschoolers that spark their active and developing brains. People are surprised to see children of this age engage with the performance.”
Tickets for “Waves” in Surrey are priced from $16 to $21 on tickets.surrey.ca, with four-pack pricing available at the Surrey Civic Theatres box office, 604-501-5566.
A show description on Théâtre des Confettis’s website says “Waves” was created in 2012 for a festival in France.
“To begin with, you follow a little pathway of shells and stones that goes around a big tent made of sheets,” the webpost explains. “You can hear someone playing a harmonica. It seems that people may be already inside the tent. They want you to come and see, so you go in. You walk through the opening. When you’re inside the tent it’s very pleasant. It’s warm, but there’s a tiny breeze. A little melody makes your heart beat more calmly. The light is gentle, like that of the setting sun.
“Inside, a tall man is dreaming of the sea. He makes sand appear, then turtles, seagulls and fish, and then dune grass, the sky, boats and time that passes.
“The man doesn’t know how to wait, so he plays at hiding in the depth of the water. He becomes a treasure that waits. And waits. And waits for you.
“Beside him, another tall man makes music and lets his voice float out over the ocean. To wait is to hope, and this happens often. It happens all the time. To little kids and to grown-ups too.”