Enchantment Theatre and the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra wonderfully weave together Scheherazade dramatically and musically. One Thousand and One Nights is a perfect combination of grand orchestral music and expressive masks, puppet, movement and magic. This was the last Symphony Sunday for Kids for the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO) 2010/2011 season and I was interested in the performances the CPO offered outside of their other concerts. (Plus I am naturally a gracious big sister and wanted my little brother to experience the great CPO!)
Though several years have pasted since my childhood, the pre-concert instrument petting zoo proved be an exciting experience, not only for the kids. Allowing children to approach orchestra instruments up close and personal was a great touch by the CPO, as they proffered blank music sheets and bingo markers for music making. These completed compositions, with various ink dots placed on and between the lines, were offered to CPO musicians to play out for the children that created them. Pure delight shone from the faces of many children, as violins, a cello, a bassoon, and a trumpet played their simple scores. I was a little jealous as I watched several children who were given a chance to hold a violin and slide a bow down its strings. I thought this was a lovely introduction to many children to the world of classical music.
Acting along the score of Scheherazade, the actors and actress from Enchantment Threatre created quite spectacular scenes using unbelievable and larger than life puppets and costumes. Boxes were neatly lined across the stage in front of the orchestra as the characters pulled quick costume changes, from a terrifying blue and big headed genie to an enormous purple dragon. Brilliantly combined with the violin solo that signaled the theme of Scheherazade’s character, the sultry enchantress leads the Sultan through her wonderful tales.
Amazingly, the entire acts are without speech. The adventure starts every time Scheherazade pulls out a scroll to read out to the Sultan. A different journey awaits him as he slips into the costumes of the main characters of her tales. The very first story is of Sinbad the Sailor, as beautiful aqua spread cloth pull in rapid motion and the rumbling of the Orchestra signal the Sultan’s adventures on the seven seas.
Personally my favourite rendition was of Aladdin and his lamp. Actors dressed in all white switched about to take on a variety of different roles. With the wonderful use of lights, silk scarves, hats, creative and brilliant puppets, and props, Enchantment Theatre brings the story alive. A devilish jester pulls the Sultan, in the stead of Aladdin, to the magical cave of riches to retrieve the coveted lamp. The doors bar the jester from entering, and eventually the Sultan is greeted by the genie brilliantly depicted with a rising white cloth and a mask pushed against it to imitate an actual genie coming out of the lamp in a puff of smoke. When Aladdin escapes with the lamp outside, the genie transforms into a mystical creature. You can imagine my surprise when a giant light blue face, attached to sticks, appears on stage. Summoning the power of the magnificent genie to grant his wish of riches to woo the princess that bears close resemblance to Scheherazade, the Sultan is swiftly transported to another world.
As the acts progress, the Sultan meets stranger and larger creatures. He must battle an enormous cyclops, its overbearing head and intimidating single eyes leering over the Sultan, but of course, the Sultan is a brave soul and slays the terrible beast by striking his sword into its eye. Then the Sultan is whisked to battle a ferocious purple Dragon Lady. Its huge head and long body on large sticks are also impressive. In each story, the wonderful women the Sultan meets all bear resemblance to Scheherazade, as his progression through each story grows his capacity to love. Overall, the entire concert was captivating with the serenade played by the magnificent CPO, and the larger-than-life acting by Enchantment Theatre creating a magical world of discovery and adventure.
Thanks to the CPO for providing seats to such a wonderful concert. I thoroughly enjoyed the innovative puppetry and rich and exotic score of Scheherazade performed by the fantastic Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra! I recommend for all, young and old, to enjoy the excellent treat of live music and to share the experience with someone else.