Hexham-based award-winning theatre company, Théâtre Sans Frontières (TSF), have teamed up with Canadian theatre company Théâtre À l’Envers, to produce an international production of their new play A Frog Called Woânda / Une Grenouille qui s’appelle Woânda.
The show premiered Queen’s Hall Arts Centre, Hexham on Friday 28 September and tours UK venues ending at Arts Centre Washington with performances on Friday 2 November (performed in simple French) and on 3 November (performed in English).
Woânda is a frog who lives in the bathroom pipes. One day she suddenly pops up and meets Laura, the young girl who lives in the house. Laura has dropped her mother’s ring down the plughole and asks Woânda to help her find it. Their search takes them on a whirlwind of twists and turns that combine dreams with reality and laughter with tears.
Told through live action, puppetry, music and shadows this is a funny and touching story of love, loss and friendship.
TSF Joint Artistic Director Sarah Kemp said:
“We are delighted to be collaborating with Patricia Bergeron, the talented director of Théâtre À l’Envers from Montreal, in adapting her show Woânda for a UK audience.
We are looking forward to taking this imaginative production to audiences young and old around the country. The show has beautiful music, great acting, evocative shadows and, of course, the star of it all, the fabulous puppet Woânda herself!”
Woânda was originally written and directed by Patricia Bergeron and first performed in French in Quebec, Canada in 2007. Performing in the UK version, A Frog Called Woânda, are: TSF’s Joint Artistic Director John Cobb (UK) who has either performed in or directed most of TSF’s productions (playing the role of Grandpa); Francine Dulong (Canada), a physical theatre performer, educator and Applied Theatre artist (playing the role of Laura); and Patricia Bergeron (Canada) founding member of Théâtre À L’Envers (puppeteer). She previously performed in TSF’s hugely successful UK touring production of Aladin et la Lampe Enchantée.
The show is directed by Patricia Bergeron and TSF’s Joint Artistic Director Sarah Kemp (UK). Set design is by Fanny Bisaillon-Gendron (Canada), costumes by Sophie Brosseau (Canada), and the music is composed by Graham Raine (UK).
The play is suitable for children aged 5-10 years old, their families and friends, and is performed in English and in simple French.
A Frog Called Woânda / Une Grenouille qui s’appelle Woânda will be performed at Arts Centre Washington on Friday 2 November at 1.30pm (in simple French) and Saturday 3 November at 11am (in English). Tickets are £7 / £25 (family, admits 4), to book visit www.artscentrewashington.co.uk or call 0191 561 3455.
