Grug at MTYP

 

Manitoba Theatre for Young People in Winnipeg will be putting on a production of Grug, a popular Australian book series, from January 31 until February 10, 2013.  The reason that I bring this up is that the stage design is SPECTACULAR.  Just watch.

I've been thinking lately that set and prop design for children's plays would be an excellent and creative way to spend my time! 

I noticed, in both videos, that the actors' faces, puppet movements, and the design of the stage all work together to create the desired effect.  For instance, when Grug is fishing, there are several effects used to simulate water: splashing sound effects, blue lighting, a little cave that looks like a pond, and when Grug lands in the water, the actor playing him makes his body bob slightly, as though he were interacting with the movement of the water.  The actor that plays the fish and the seaweed also puffs out his cheeks to simulate holding his breath underwater, and wears water goggles!  Genius.