This Autumn the Backyardigans are not only entertaining children on televisions across Canada … they are bringing their lovable antics and adventures to the stage in their new live show - THE BACKYARDIGANS: SEA DEEP IN ADVENTURE.
Jo-Anne from KidsAroundCanada.com had the delightful experience of interviewing Patti Caplette, the artistic director of Koba Entertainment and the creative mind behind THE BACKYARDIGANS: SEA DEEP IN ADVENTURE, to bring you the inside scoop on this exciting new musical.
Inspiration and Rehearsals
Q: What was your inspiration for creating THE BACKYARDIGANS: SEA DEEP IN ADVENTURE?
A: Certainly the inspiration came from many of the Backyardigans episodes that have some water or underwater element to it. And those are some of my favourite moments that happen in their shows.
The other inspiration is that I just totally adore the whole underwater elements of octopus and clams and creatures of the deep. It can be both comical and scary at the same time.
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Q: Did you enjoy the rehearsals for the show?
A: We did have a lot of fun because the voices of the characters are so entertaining and songs are fantastic. All the music that Even Lurie wrote keeps you alive and keeps you awake. We never get bored of the songs, which is a wonderful experience when you are rehearsing and performing over a three month period. It is always fresh.
Q: Has the final product accomplished your vision?
A: Most certainly. And being live theatre, it’s never static. There is always something someone will do or interpret slightly different each time. The most exciting thing about live theatre for me is that the actors will surprise me constantly with things that they might do.
The Backyardigans
Q: What do you think it is about the Backyardigans that makes them so popular amongst audiences?
A: In the words of Janice Burgess, it really is so simple in the sense that you have your backyard and you have your friends. The imagination can go anywhere. And with a simple sandbox or a slide or a swing, you can be propelled into outer space, you can be on a beach, you can be on a dessert. So it’s boundless. I think every child can identify with that because they don’t need anything more than a backyard or a park and some friends.
Q: Are all of the Backyardigans included in the Show?
A: There are certainly all 5 Backyardigan characters there.
THE BACKYARDIGANS: SEA DEEP IN ADVENTURE
Q: Can you please provide families with a brief description of THE BACKYARDIGANS: SEA DEEP IN ADVENTURE.
A: It’s about the kids, the Backyardigans. Pablo and Tyrone come out of their house and they are pretending to be safety rescue officers. So immediately we set up the premise that they are going to do an amazing rescue somewhere. We are not sure where. They get a call over their walkie talkie from a strange creature noise and apparently it comes to be known as ‘Doll’ the Dolphin. She tells them that her little brother has been trapped way under the sea in a cave. So they call on Austin who comes along with his humungous submarine and a stage transformation goes under the water in the submarine. We meet all kinds of sea creatures and different kinds of fish and a manatee and jellyfish (the jellyfish ballet) … so all sorts of wonders under there. And we come upon the gate that belongs to Octavia the octopus. She is this amazingly grumpy ‘clean freak’ creature that I have created, and it is indeed in her garden that the little dolphin is trapped. The garden is guarded by a giant clam named Clammy.
All kinds of chaos and adventures ensues. The Backyardigans try to get into the garden, but they become trapped in a cave and Octavia captures them. The only way to get out of the cave is to challenge Octavia to a race. If they win the race then they go free, and if they lose the race, they stay in the cave forever.
Q: Will children in the audience recognize their favourite songs from the television shows?
A: Audiences should recognize all their favourite songs. These songs are chosen from seasons one, two and three. So the kids have probably heard the songs in different incarnations. There are some times when I change and alter lyrics to fit the situation, but for the most part they’ll know the tune, they’ll know the song, and they’ll be able to sing along.
Q: Do kids sing along during the show?
A: Absolutely. In fact parents tend to sing along probably louder than the kids.
Q: What age group do you think the live show would be appropriate for?
A: A wider span than the television show. We know that we have a captured audience of parents as well. So what we try to do is totally make it a family experience. Yes, the little ones and school aged ones are there, but a brother or sister who are older, mom and dad, grandparents and an uncle are there too and they have to enjoy it as well.
There is a tremendous range of music and action and sound on the stage for absolutely everyone to come away with a satisfied feeling. Tasha and Uniqua are mermaids and they do a few Bollywood songs. We have amazing projections of screens which become our backdrop and there are all kinds of things in there which parents and kids will enjoy.
Q: Do children have to watch the Backyardigans television show on television to appreciate the storyline of the live production?
A: No. I think if they are familiar there is a recognition component, but as a piece of theatre it stands on its own. It’s a brand of new musical of any sort, that has the integrity of theatre within it.
Q: How have audiences responded to the show until now?
A: They love it.
Uniqua
Q: What kind of animal is Uniqua (asked by my own children)?
A: She’s a Uniqua. And she is from the planet from Uniqua. And she is her own special creature. And Uniqua was created just for that presence … to be something that nobody else is and to tell children it’s okay to be your own unique self.
THE BACKYARDIGANS: SEA DEEP IN ADVENTURE presented by Paquin Entertainment is touring 34 cities across Canada between September and November 2009. Find the details at: www.thebackyardigansontour.com.
