BAOBAB Returning to Young People's Theatre

An epic West African story comes to life in this award-winning production about a mystical young boy's quest to return water to the land amidst a relentless drought. Young People's Theatre (YPT) brings back this audience favourite, which won the Dora Award for Outstanding TYA Production in 2012. Written and directed by Hélène Ducharme of Montréal's Théâtre Motus, this enchanting play will be presented in The Studio from October 13 to 23.

In this story, inspired by West African legends, an ancient baobab tree stands tall amidst a persistent drought. One day the tree brings forth an egg and from the egg is born a little boy. Thevillagers recognize that this little boy is the only one who can undertake the quest to bring water back to the land. But there are four formidable tasks to be completed before success is possible. Can a little boy change the history of the world? Using puppetry, masks, and percussion rhythms, Baobab makes powerful change come to life.

Written and Directed by: HélèneDucharme. Featuring Widemir Normil, Philippe Racine, Aboulaye Koné and Nathalie Cora.

Creative Team - Translator (English version): Leanna Brodie; Dramaturg: Hamadoun Kassogué; Puppet Designers: Jean Cummings, Sylvain Racine and Claude Rodrigue; Set Designers: Ismaïla Manga and Hélène Ducharme; Original Music: AboulayeKoné, assisted by Nathalie Cora; Lighting Designer: MichelSaint-Amand; Shadow Puppet Designer: Marcelle Hudon; Stage Costume Designer: Louis Hudon.

Baobab was created with the support of Théâtre de la Ville for the residency and the collaboration of Hamadoun Kassogué (Mali) and Ismaïla Manga (Senegal). Théâtre Motus acknowledges the touring support of the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec and of Canada Council for the Arts.