Axis Theatre Company and Carousel Theatre

Goodnight Moon & The Runaway Bunny

Dates and Venue 28 - 29 November & 5 - 6 December @ 11:00 am & 2:00 pm; 2 December @ 1:00 pm | Norman Rothstein Theatre (950 41st Avenue, Vancouver)

Reviewer Ed Farolan

This charming double bill by Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia is an adaptation of two of Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd's beloved bedtime classics. I was impressed by the innovative puppetry of this company, and although there were a few tiny tots who would speak out of turn, most of them were quiet and listening to a voiceover narration of the stories as they watched runaway bunny climb a mountain, or fly like a bird.

Indeed, scenic effects were striking, especially in the second part, "Goodnight Moon", where the staging was exactly like the pictures in the storybook, and going one step further, they were moving pictures.

My two-year old granddaughter wasn't bored at all, as her eyes were fixed intently on the movements on stage, listening to the story and an original score for the music.

Kudos to the company for their creative efforts. I underswtand they've been touring the United States and will tour other cities in Canada on their home to Nova Scotia.

2009 Ed Farolan