Photo by Bruce Silcox. |
Between the Worlds at In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre takes the season back to its origins. This inclusive celebration of the winter solstice is a perennial favorite which won an Ivey Award in 2013 for design.
Featuring music, movement, and puppetry, this meditation of the season features a cast of women of all ages and appearances, The women are supported by five musicians who perform music from many cultures.
The chorus of magnificent, radiant women. Photo by Bruce Silcox. |
One of my favorite things about this show was the audience, which included a wide range of ages, including lots of families, with a few children gleefully chasing each other around the space before the show started.
Sitting right up front was a family with an adorable baby who started to make noise during the first number. The parents were moving to take the baby out when one of the performers stepped forward, smiling, and told them to stay put. "We love that sound!" It was a sweet start to a lovely celebration.
This was actually my first visit to In the Heart of the Beast, surprisingly. I wasn't sure what to expect, and the warm welcome and family feeling were lovely. Between the Worlds is a charming antidote to the commercial aspects of the season for the whole family.