THEATRE + COMEDY

The Grand 1894 Opera House presents Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia:  Leo Lionni’s "Swimmy,” “Frederick,” and “Inch By Inch,” Wednesday, May 4, 2011, at 10am. Drawn from Leo Lionni’s exquisitely crafted Caldecott Honor books, these stories come to life through innovative puppetry.

Leo Lionni's exquisite collage works are ideally suited for Mermaid’s unique approach to stage adaptation. The three Caldecott Honor books Mermaid has chosen for its tribute, SWIMMY, INCH BY INCH and FREDERICK, are among Lionni’s most beloved works. Their images are strikingly beautiful, and their texts are whimsical yet wistful.

Swimmy is a tiny insignificant fish in the vast ocean who uses ingenuity to fend off danger. Frederick, a mouse who is a poet from the tip of his nose to the end of his tail, makes everyday life an artful experience. The story of Inch by Inch features a lovable inchworm who is very proud of his facility for measuring absolutely everything, including a robin's tail, a flamingo's neck, a toucan's beak, a heron's legs, and a nightingale's song.

All these creatures provide wonderful scope for translation to puppet theatre through the gentle storytelling style which has brought international acclaim to Mermaid Theatre. The approach to staging will follow in the elegant tradition of THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR and GUESS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU.

ABOUT MERMAID THEATRE
Close to Four Decades of Achievement. Founded in 1972, Mermaid Theatre's unique adaptations of children's literature have delighted more than four million young people on four continents. The company ranks among North America's most respected theatres for the young, and has won widespread recognition for its important ambassadorial role. Mermaid regularly crosses North America, and has represented Canada in Japan, Mexico, Australia, England, Northern Ireland, Holland, Scotland, Wales, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam. Mermaid has earned Export Excellence Awards from both Nova Scotia and the Government of Canada in recognition for contributions to the Province's culture and economy, has merited an award for Best Performing Group from the Canadian Arts Presenting Association, and received the Crystal Tourism

Ambassador Award from Nova Scotia’s tourism industry leaders in the Fall of 2008.

Innovative Programming: Mermaid Theatre's emphasis on imaginative design elements, original music, and challenging texts provides a rich opportunity to acquaint young spectators with the visual and performing arts as well as with the pleasures of reading. In addition to its international engagements, Mermaid Theatre regularly tours throughout Nova Scotia with specially designed programs designed to stimulate classroom learning as well as enthusiasm for the art of puppetry. Mermaid's puppetry programs at all levels as well as its dynamic Youtheatre activities offer vital outreach opportunities.