Jan. 25, 2012 - Issue #849: Blind Date
Lig & Bittle
"It uses the opportunity to show the audience that even though we may look different, we're all the same: we have the same wants and needs and desires, and the same dream," explains Welch.
Lig & Bittle presents its message through a classic fairy tale story: both Lig (Welch) and Bittle (Hudson) are frustrated with their differences and decide to journey to the land of Perfeckt Phitt, a place where everyone fits in.
"Both Lig and Bittle receive news of this magical place called Perfeckt Phitt through a magical speck of dust that floats down, which almost provides them with a bit of an advertisement," explains Welch. "So there is a little bit of a commentary about how our media can tend to influence our opinions."
While he did not perform in the original productions of this show, Welch has plenty of experience performing in theatre for young audiences, having been involved with numerous productions with Calgary-based Evergreen Theatre. He also studied under Lig & Bittle playwright Elyne Quan, and knew that the staging in this newest incarnation has changed significantly.
"They originally presented it in a proscenium staging, and this time around we're presenting it in an alleyway configuration," says Welch. "We have audiences on both sides of the stage area, so not only do we have to play to two sides of the stage, but we also have a situation where the children are gonna be able to see each other across the stage.
"The story is really about acknowledging that people are different and that it's OK to be different," he continues. "To be able to actually look across the stage, the playing area, and see other students, I think it will on some level reinforce that idea, because they're gonna be able to see each other enjoying it, see each other follow the story, and also be reminded on a subconscious level that they are different from each other, but they are all experiencing this moment of time, this journey, together."
Fri, Jan 27 (7 pm) & Sat, Jan 28 (11 am & 2 pm)
Directed by Tracy Carroll
Westbury Theatre, Transalta Arts Barns, $12.50 – $18 vueweekly.com comments: powered by Disqus
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