Soulpepper Theatre’s Alligator Pie is a jubilant celebration of childhood wonder, friendship, and play. Inspired by Dennis Lee’s beloved poetry collection of the same name (which turned 50 this year), the production proves that Lee’s vital verses can still captivate audiences of all ages. With its joyful exuberance and homespun creativity, Alligator Pie is a true gift this holiday season.
The idea to manifest and musicalize Lee’s poetry in this production was conceived, co-created and first performed in 2012 by Ins Choi, Raquel Duffy, Ken MacKenzie, Gregory Prest, and Mike Ross, all graduates of the Soulpepper Academy. The special genius of this new incarnation lies in the cohesive collaboration of its five multi-talented, multi-instrumentalist performers Alicia Barban, Belinda Corpuz, Ben Kopp, Ruaridh MacDonald, and Haneul Yi – who are all current members of the 2024 Soulpepper Academy. Under the direction of Severn Thompson, these artists bring boundless energy, wit, and musical prowess to the stage, in a seamless, joyous and magical interweaving of storytelling, music, and playful improvisation.
Staging the production in the round allows for an intimacy that makes everyone in the audience feel like they’re part of the action — sitting in a circle of friends, lost in a spinning, shimmering, surprising game of make-believe. A sense of everyday play infuses every moment of the production. Simple yet ingenious costumes (designed by Ellie Koffman) are plucked out of (then returned to) boxes positioned around the stage. Household items are transfigured through the audacious creativity of the performers: cardboard boxes become the literally breathtaking, towering set piece of “Skyscraper”. Bubble wrap is rightly celebrated as an ultimate delight – and used as an irresistible “toy” (and utterly convincing costuming). Boom whackers make an appearance, and inflatable balls and mundane stationery tools like staplers, scissors, tape and hole punches transform into percussion instruments.
The charm of Lee’s poems, including the mischievous “Nicholas Grouch”, “A Wonderful Trip in a Rocketship”, and the nostalgic “I Put a Penny,” is brought to life with inventive staging. Short and longer poems are spaced to provide variety and give the audience sufficient time to watch, interact, gasp and giggle. “The Cat and the Wizard” and “The Cat and the Monster” tell stories of wonder. The funky “Bump on Your Thumb” is rhythmically conducive to audience participation . . . and is balanced by quieter moments like “The Moon” — which enables calm exhalation, enhanced by Logan Raju Cracknelll’s dreamy lighting.
While anachronisms like “pennies”, “TV sets”, and ”C.O,D.” reveal the age of the source poems, young audience members are nonplussed. They are enthralled by the rhythm, the sounds, the imagery, the movement and the music of the performers. Obscure references are not obstacles – rather, they will be sparks for conversation, linking generations through vocabulary and memories. And the poems’ glorious Canadian-ness—inherent, quirky, heartfelt, and unmistakable—resonates throughout the performance. Alligator Pie has a distinctly inviting, heart-tugging cultural relatability.
As part of Soulpepper’s tradition of inventive musical concerts, Alligator Pie is a wonderful example of theatre that seamlessly bridges generations: engaging the young, while delighting the grown-ups. Its remount, alongside the upcoming return of Kim’s Convenience in January, reflects the company’s dedication to reviving its original productions — opening up the hope for future returns of wonderful past works, such as the award-winning Rose: A New Musical (2019).
Like Lee’s poetry itself, this production reminds us of the power of imagination and creativity. Thank you, Soulpepper, for not giving away this Alligator Pie, and instead sharing once again this joy-filled romp that delights everyone . . . and leaves them hankering for another helping.
Alligator Pie runs until December 29, 2024. Given the enthusiastic response of family audiences, an extension for the duration of the school holidays is perhaps to be hoped for . . . but don’t wait! Reserve tickets at soulpepper.ca.
© Arpita Ghosal, Sesaya Arts Magazine, 2024
