Alligator Pie

Raquel Duffy, Ins Choi, Mike Ross and Ken MacKenzie in Alligator Pie. Photo by Jason Hudson.

“Alligator Pie, Alligator Pie, If I don’t get some I think I’m gonna die.” This is precisely how you will feel after watching Soulpepper’s Alligator Pie, a wildly creative stage adaptation of Canadian author Dennis Lee’s popular children’s poems, now playing at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts.

With a heaping dash of imagination and just the right amount of silly, this exciting new production, developed by the Creation Ensemble (Ins Choi, Raquel Duffy, Ken Mackenzie, Gregory Prest and Mike Ross), is presented in-the-round, on a crayon-coloured stage with boxes of props piled up in each corner. The performers play child-like versions of themselves, innnocent and full of wonder, naughty and fun-loving, mean, sad and sweet.

Clad in mismatched costumes, hats and funny wigs, they strut about the floor with an infectious energy, reciting verses including the title poem “Alligator Pie,” “Mulligan Stew,” “Tricking,” “Pyschapoo” and “The Cat and the Wizard.” Mike Ross’s catchy rhythms spring to life through the use of unconventional instruments such as bubble wrap, tape, staplers, scissors, plastic tubes and inflatable balls, each poem transitioning seamlessly from one to the next in a highly entertaining, fast-paced production that leaves you wanting seconds.

Alligator Pie is a must-see for both kids and grown-ups. Catch it until November 25 at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Visit Soulpepper.ca for more information and to buy tickets.

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