Act3i Festival for Children: Marmalade

This morning, I brought Ewan and Faye out for a show at National Library. It is titled, Marmalade. There aren't many things worth skipping school for but this is one of them. I am more than keen to expose my children to any forms of performing arts. Be it musicals, orchestras or even mimes. We have attended holiday programs by ACT3 International and never failed to take back an experience to remember. When we received the invitation to watch Marmalade, I could not reject it especially when this is a show designed for children as young as two, suitable for little Faye. The aim of ACT 3i Festival for Children is to give young audiences a unique experience that is different from regular children's entertainment.

When we entered the Black Box on Level 5, I let out a quiet, "Wow." I was in love with the setting and was quick to determine that we will enjoy the performance choreographed by Claire Parsons. It was a cosy crowd and we were all encouraged to sit on the red carpet semi-circling the floor where the performance will be staged. My first impression was that this act will be one very tactile performance with us sitting so close to the actors.

It is an abstract production. One that can boggle even the mind of an adult. Yet, it exudes a whole lot of imagination in itself. Swedish actors, Viktor and Moa, walked in quietly and engaged their audiences with their gazes. As mentioned, this is different from broad-based children's entertainment so do not expect them to jump into the set waving Hello and introducing themselves with lots of hype. I loved it that they welcomed the children by starting on each end of the semi-circle with Moa pushing a tutu ball along the edges of the semi-circle while Viktor juggled three red balls, making his way slowly to meet every audience. While doing so, they engaged with every single one of us by looking into our eyes and greeted us [and I meant Every Single One] with a Hi or Hello. It teaches the children to reciprocate with a Hello and I love it that we are advocating manners even from the start of the show.

There were certain frightening scenes [frightening in Faye's context] and I heard whimpers from her.  It is not exactly a mime performance but there wasn't much talking. Even when they did, the speech was carefully dictated. Faye probably found it rather unnatural especially with the make-up. Thankfully I managed to distract her. I could tell she was somewhat torn. She was scared but she wanted to stay as well. Ewan, on the other hand, was captivated by the 40-minute performance. I studied his facial expressions. There were smiles, laughters and even a tinge of seriousness as he watched. We discussed about certain poetic movements Viktor and Moa made. He said they were eating apples, I said they were eating strawberries. He said Moa was pretending to be a lion while I said she was just being silly to make everyone laugh. This is what I meant when I say abstract and imaginative. They are whatever you think they are because it gives you the freedom to imagine.

Marmalade has been performed over 300 times since September 2013. This is their first time in Singapore and it marks their first show in Asia. There will only be eight shows and it ends this Sunday, 5 June 2016.

It looks at the world through body, eye, feeling and taste in a room with Fellini music. We felt "wind" with the flight of the tutu skirts and were treated to the most beautiful visual experience at finale. At the end of the video, you will see the actors throwing squares of tulle into the air and blowing it to higher. The clip does not justify the magic of it but in a darkened room with lights shining only on Viktor and Moa, the flying tulles looked like jellyfish to me. Ewan had a go at it after the show.

The show may not appeal to the general public but it is a different kind of artistic exposure for our children. These emerging children's theatre are exploratory in nature and ever ready to challenge pre-conceptions. We were very lucky to get a one-on-one chat with Viktor, Moa and Claire on the production at the end of the session. Ewan did not want to leave. He lingered around drawing his own interpretation of art while Moa cleared the stage.

Daddy came home asking them how the show went. Ewan replied, "Daddy Daddy! I went to a circus today!" and two-year-old Faye managed out a, "Yes. Nice."

Check out the rest of the productions here during the Act3i Festival for Children.

To Book Marmalade before they return to Sweden:

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