Selected from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, a performance on national tour from Belgium is coming to town.
Focus and Chaliwate companies鈥檚 Dimanche takes the the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre Society (VDPAC) stage Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 7:30 p.m.
Dimanche is a dreamlike portrait of humanity trying to maintain normalcy amidst the uncontrollable forces of nature 鈥� employing special effects, acrobatics and life-size puppetry to keep audiences in constant wonder.
The Edinburgh Guide calls it, "a charming blend of fact and fiction with a vintage aesthetic and a very current message.鈥�
Set 鈥渟ometime in the near future,鈥� humanity has failed to adapt to the new ecological reality 鈥� the end of the world as we know it. In their small city house, a family is about to spend their Sunday, (Dimanche), together.
Amidst the the surrounding climatic chaos that ensues, they absurdly attempt to maintain their family traditions. Meanwhile, three wildlife reporters do their best to document Earth鈥檚 last living species, portrayed with lifelike marionettes.
鈥淓very young audience member will want to take the polar bear home,鈥� says VDPAC executive director Jim Harding. 鈥淭he theatrical magic Dimanche presents is everything we think of when we look for in a visual spectacle.鈥�
For Dimanche, Focus and Chaliwate companies of Belgium came together to write and stage a surprising and touching performance.
鈥淲e want to mutualise our skills and tools to shape something special combining movement art, object theatre, the marionette, stage acting and video.鈥�
鈥淭he genius of this production is in the balance between the humour in the absurdity and the ingenuity in delivering this profound message in such a tender and well-executed way,鈥� says Harding.
Dimanche launched its cross-Canada tour with a run in Vancouver, followed by public and school performances at the VDPAC; before continuing to Toronto, Fredericton, Montreal and Quebec City.
鈥淲e are indeed honoured to be part of this international tour as part of our Spotlight Theatre Series,鈥� says Harding.
Tickets at ticketseller.ca or call 250-549-7469.
