On July 13, Peter Lehman’s lute music brought the peaceful sense of a fairy woodland to the Elm Street tent outside Fall River Library. Children gathered on a rug, ready to meet fairies, squirrels . . . and trolls! In this interactive show, Peter, Ann Wynne and I want our audience members to have opinions — but we were surprised at how strongly they spoke to Skimpa the troll. “No, you can’t push down the tree!” “But I need space for my beautiful new chair,” she whined. “NO!” the children said.
When the trolls persisted in knocking over the tree, our faithful audience helped them plant a baby tree for distraught fairies. And, after trolls, fairies, puppeteers and our amazing musician took their bows, the children arrested the trolls! We know they will take good care of trees in the future.
Fall River Children’s Librarian David Mello with his own tree puppet.
THANK YOU, FALL RIVER CULTURAL COUNCIL!! This show was supported by a grant from the Fall River Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. And thank you to librarian David Mello for his incredible support of children and those who perform for them.
What’s more important: the trolls’ deluxe toaster or the fairies’ cherished tree? Join Ann Wynne, Peter Lehman and I for an environmental fable featuring two trolls, a tree, and a very responsible squirrel.
Our show is at : Old Schwamb Mill, 17 Mill Lane, Arlington
Saturday, June 4 at 10:30am
Best for ages 5 and up
Tickets $15 family; $5 single (to reserve email [email protected] or call 781-643-0554), outdoors
The wheels are still wobbly, but Skimpa wants a test drive.
So happy to have a grant from the Arlington Cultural Council to create “The Trolls and the Tree: An Immersive Theater Piece for Children” with Ann Wynne and Peter Lehman. In the story, two trolls agree to take care of an idyllic fairy garden. But, when there’s not space enough in the garden for their toaster, TV, and lawn chairs next to the tree, guess which item gets moved?
Many friends are designing woodland seat covers for our show! Here are a few.
Happy to have been performing in parks, preschool yards and gardens! My first in-person show of 2021 was for a 90th birthday party on a sparkling summer evening in Gloucester. By August, the days were more sweat than sparkle and what a relief to go inside for a Puppet Day. But all hail to the battery-operated sound system that makes performing outside so easy!
Monkey King opening the season in a Gloucester backyard
Manchester Public Library, with DreamTale Puppets
Fall River library, outside, with “Badger Meets the Fairies”
Runs on a rechargeable battery, fits in a backpack.
At Magnolia Park, busking
Amazing Fall River librarian preparing for Shark Week
Hungry puppet, Puppet Day at Country Cottage Center in Medway
Cow and his good friend Mouse love to play and picnic — until it’s time to share dessert. Join Margaret for this gentle farm fable at 10am on Saturday, July 17. And please stay after to try out some fun puppets!
Best for ages 3 to 7. All welcome. FREE.
AT: Magnolia Park, 111 Magnolia Street, East Arlington, MA
I studied with the wonderful I Wan Jan Puppetry Troupe in Taiwan, and had the chance to tell the story in the Fall 2020 edition of “Puppetry International.” Here’s the article: PI-48-TaiwanPuppets
Got a minute or 3? I hope you’ll take a look at these short videos featuring Doggie and Mathilda.
Here’s Mathilda’s favorite song:
“My Cousin Kit” and “Watching for Owl” were part of Arlington’s FOX & OWL TINY FILM & PHOTO FESTIVAL 2020. The shadow puppets were drawn by artist Kari Percival.