Children marvel at Winter Wonderland
About the article
This is a digitised version of an article from The Cayman Compass's print archive. Occasionally, the digitisation process introduces transcription errors, or other problems.
See the article in its original context from December 1999.
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With Winter Wonderland, running nightly this week only, they have achieved a wondrous entertainment for children of all ages.
It will not be giving away any plot to reveal that Humpty Dumpty has a great fall, Miss Muffet runs screaming from her tuffet and Jack Horner has his hands full. The pleasant surprise is the way in which these nursery rhymes are presented.
Prospect Playhouse has been transformed into a series of mini-stages, each at a child's eye level. viewers walk through, they become part of the action. Costume characters speak to the youngsters, ask them questions, invite them to sing their rhymes and play games. On the first night, two-year-olds safe in Daddy's arms watched with awe; five-year-olds were enchanted; seven-year-olds sang lustily along.
In fact half the enjoyment comes from observing the "audience". On one trip through Wonderland, a two-year-old entertained adults with his enthusiastic reception of a giant spider, his rejection of Bo Peep's sheep, his emphatic claim to "my Santa".
The experience begins as soon as one enters because the lobby decorations and displays invite close inspection. There is an opportunity to ride on a pseudo-sleigh pulled by a reasonable representation. tion of a reindeer. The transition to Wonderland via "ace capsule" may be a bit scary for the under-fives unless, of course, they are sitting on someone's lap or close enough to hold Mom's hand. The Snow Queen and Elf guide visitors from one scene to the next, ending in a visit with Santa Claus.
The name Winter Wonderland was no doubt wisely chosen over what might be considered as an obvious "Christmas Wonderland". The presence of Santa does, however, acknowledge the holy day turned holiday. Notable by its absence is any reference to Baby Jesus, whose Birthday started it all. This may well have been the result of uncertainty as to how to present a Nativity Scene. Live actors? Figurines? A painting? Given the skills and dedication of CDS technicians and performers, one can easily imagine them lying awake nights thinking how to deal with the challenge next year.
For surely there should be a next year, so that more children and older family members can enjoy this totally absorbing theatre experience.
Winter Wonderland continues tonight and tomorrow, 7.00-9.30 pm. On Saturday, the last day, doors open at 5.00 pm. Admission is five dollars and arrivals are welcome any time.
