The Maritime Marionettes

Maritime Marionettes have gained an international reputation for their artistic excellence and high quality family entertainment in Canada and abroad since 1986. Heather and Darryll Taylor are two gifted puppeteers who give their audiences an opportunity to experience a unique and ancient art form. The Taylors bring traditional and original stories to life with exquisitely made and skilfully manipulated wooden marionettes. The company creates its productions from concept to finished product, including fashioning the marionettes and creating sets, props and costumes for every show.

All shows are available in English or French.

Cost: $500 + HST ($575) for one show or $900 + HST ($1035) for two
Duration: 50 minutes with optional question and answer period

The Lonely Leprechaun When a young girl, named Sally, writes by candle light, her muse magically appears as Sandy, the lonely leprechaun. Sandy desperately needs Sally's help to find his friends, so they can keep the world green.

Jack and the Beanstalk Maritime Marionettes retells the popular folktale that follows Jacks incredible journey from his humble cottage, up a giant beanstalk, to a castle in the sky. It all begins when Jack agrees to trade his cow to a mysterious traveler for a handful of magic beans. Jacks excitement is not shared by his mother, who throws the beans to the ground rather than believe in the notion they are magic. That night the unimaginable happens - the beans grow into a stalk that towers high in the sky. Filled with curiosity, Jack climbs the beanstalk where he discovers a huge castle. Inside the castle lives a greedy giant who delights in the many treasures he has stolen from the people down below. Among his favorite treasures are a hen that lays golden eggs, and a beautiful singing harp that lulls him to sleep until he begins to snore like thunder. While the Giant sleeps, Jack runs off with the hen and the singing harp. The cries of the harp awaken the Giant, who chases Jack toward the beanstalk. Jack scurries to the bottom of the beanstalk and quickly chops it to the ground, before the surprised Giant can follow him home. This lighthearted presentation is for all ages and features marionettes, shadow puppets, music, and story telling. The story magically reminds us to appreciate what we have, and that it is how big we are on the inside that matters most of all.

"This was an excellent performance and all ages enjoyed it."
- Saskatchewan and Alberta presenters

Shakespeare on Trial
Written by Jeremy Webb, Directed by Martha Irving
and Performed by Jeremy Webb & Simon Henderson

Appropriate for Grades 7 to 9 and 10 to 12
* Now Booking For Dates in the 2011-12 School Year *

Writer Bill Shakespeare encounters four of his own most famous characters: MacBeth, Iago, Hamlet and Juliet up-close, personal and ticked-off, in a new one-man play that explores the Bard's accessibility and relevance in the classroom today. Shakespeare has to defend his own writing as the four fictional characters challenge the author to write in a modern way, arguing that no-one understands them anymore. Shakespeare On Trial is a 55-minute, fast-paced play created to introduce students to the Bard's words and to help those words find an ear today. The play features a 'greatest hits' of famous Shakespeare quotes, speeches and the occasional soliloquy. The show becomes interactive for the last 15 minutes as Shakespeare calls upon students to help prove his point: "The play's the thing..."

UK-born Jeremy Webb trained at Britain's coveted Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and has directed and performed in over a dozen of Shakespeare's plays, as well as 15 shows at Neptune Theatre. Last year, Webb played Iago in Shakespeare By The Sea's Othello (winning a Best Actor Theatre NS Merritt Awards 2009). He also won The Coast Best Theatre Actor Award 2007. He was last seen in his one-man version of Dickens' A Christmas Carol.
 

Shakespeare on Trial: Elementary
Written by Jeremy Webb

Appropriate for Grades P to 6
* Now Booking For Dates in the 2011-12 School Year *

In this new version of Jeremy Webb's hit high school play, writer Bill Shakespeare encounters three of his own most famous characters: MacBeth, Hamlet and Juliet up-close, personal and ticked-off, introducing Shakespeare's work to new ears. Shakespeare has to defend his own writing and prove to Juliet that she can be interesting as a character again! Shakespeare On Trial: Elementary is a 45-minute, fast-paced play created to help the Bard's words find an ear today. The students will hear and see some famous Shakespeare quotes, speeches and the very famous 'balcony scene', but as you've never seen it before! Packed with gags, Shakespeare On Trial: Elementary has it all: exciting sword fights, drama, zany comedy and the occasional educational moment! The show becomes interactive for the last 15 minutes as Shakespeare calls upon the audience to help prove his point: "The play's the thing..." Simon Henderson plays Bill Shakespeare, with Merritt award winner Jeremy Webb playing Shakespeare's Characters. The play is directed by Martha Irving.

For more information go to www.offtheleash.ca.

Cost:$500 + HST ($575) for one show         or $900 + HST ($1035) for two Duration: 55 minutes with optional question and answer period "In the words of my students, "Shakespeare on Trial rocks!" I have had a steady stream of students and staff coming into my classroom expressing their thanks at having been given the opportunity to see this performance." - Pugwash District High "I predict that schools will be lining up to book Jeremy Webb's brilliantly entertaining Shakespeare on Trial. It strikes the perfect tone for the too-cool-for-Shakespeare crowd, and it actually stands a chance of turning some young minds onto the beauty of the Bard." - Kate Watson from The Coast (6 Jun 2009)