PETER RABBIT TALES to Play MPAC, 4/24

In celebration of Beatrix Potter's 150th birthday anniversary, Enchantment Theatre brings her captivating Peter Rabbit Tales to life at Mayo Performing Arts Center on Sunday, April 24, 2016 at 1:30 pm and 4 pm. Tickets are $12 - $15.

Once upon a time there were four little Rabbits, and their names were - Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail and Peter ...."

These famous opening lines of "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" have enchanted young audiences for over one hundred years with the exploits of a charming hero, who, going against his mother 's wishes, has adventures (and misadventures) in Mr. McGregor 's garden. Beatrix Potter created an instant classic with the little blue-coated rabbit who we recognize as both boy and rabbit, wild and civilized, and who has become an icon of childhood since he first hopped out of the pages of a story book and into children's hearts. Now Enchantment Theatre Company is delighted to collaborate with Frederick Warne & Co. and Penguin Books UK to present the authorized theatrical version of Peter Rabbit "' Tales.

Meet Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny, Beatrix Potter's beloved characters, as they escape from Mr. McGregor, outfox Mr. Tod and rescue the Flopsy Bunnies from the disagreeable badger, Tommy Brock. When Benjamin's children disappear, he goes to his cousin, Peter Rabbit, to help him find the bunnies. But Peter thinks he's had quite enough of adventure, remembering his yout ful escapades in Mr. McGregor's garden. As the cousins reminisce about their past adventures, their friends - Squirrel Nutkin, Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, Jemima Puddle-duck and Mrs. Tittlemouse - gather to encourage Peter on this one last quest.

Beatrix Potter is known throughout the world for her beloved animal characters and inventive tales. The particular pleasure of her stories is their truthfully humorous observation of animals and celebration of the natural world. She combined exquisite drawings with imaginative, witty and highly original story-telling.

Born in 1866, Beatrix Potter came from an upper middle-class family and grew up in London. As a child, she was educated at home and had limited opportunities to spend time with other children. Her nursery became the home to a menagerie of pets that she and her brother Bertram collected. She observed her pets closely, studied their characteristics and drew them with great skill.

Through extended family vacations, first in Scotland and later in the Lake District, Beatrix fell in love with the English countryside. Her curiosity, artistic ability and keen observational skills led her to an interest in studying and drawing nature. As a young woman in the 1890s, she yearned to use her talents to find her purpose in life and gain financial and personal independence from the confines of her Victorian family. She began to sell some of her drawings for greeting cards and hoped to get one of her stories published. Her first story, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, was originally written in 1893 as a letter to cheer a sick child. In 1901 she privately published a small edition of the story when she was unable to find a publisher. The book was taken up by Frederick Warne & Company in 1902 and became an instant classic. Twenty-two tales followed, with most published over the next ten years.

Brilliant artist, imaginative writer, passionate naturalist and pioneer in land conservation, Beatrix Potter shared her love of nature with millions of children through her distinctively original tales and by preserving the land that inspired them.

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