World in a Weekend returning for fifth year

Experience the puppet performance of The Bellhop by Spanish puppetry group Hilarilar Marionetas. Follow the hilarious antics of an inept bellhop in a grand hotel, to be found under the tent along the Avon River in this by donation event.

World in a Weekend (WIAW) returns to Stratford July 30 to Aug. 3 across eight venues with fun and wonder for patrons of all ages. This family-friendly international puppet festival always delights with many free and ticketed events challenging our perception of storytelling with programming that pushes boundaries.

“It’s an opportunity for community and connection and people coming together so we’re inviting people who could be interested in ticketed programming while we are also offering a bunch of free events,” said Eileen Smith, artistic producer.

With returning favourites and new international artists, there will be something for everyone; young children, friend groups, multi-generational families alike. By popular demand is returning the Garden for Little Souls and the massively tall stilt walkers who will traipse throughout the downtown core and along the Avon River at Veteran’s Drive Park.

“So you can come upon it by surprise, or you can come last minute and be a part of the free programming we have, or you can plan and buy tickets for programming,” said Smith.

The Voyageurs, 12-foot stilt walkers by KAOSO will also tell the tale of two travellers separated by a chasm who attempt to reunite in a ticketed event. Puppetry through a marionette will tell the story of an inept bellhop in a grand hotel in this by donation performance under a tent at Veterans Drive Park. There will be a second tent this year for protection from the elements and lots of family activities. Don’t forget this is the season ideal for Stratford’s Al Fresco program for picnicking in the park.

Grayson Mills will host a Canadian double bill with Dance of Shadows by Catherine Gignac and the hilarious Fair Queen by Joanne O’Sullivan Productions. Following the performances will be a silent dance party to rock out to your favourite playlist on supplied headphones and dance the night away.

Other ticketed events include You Have Arrived by Syrian puppeteer Rim Mohammed, Mwana and the Turtle’s Secret, the African tale about a young Congolese girl who takes on a giant, Papa about an overwhelmed dad who is moving houses, and Orphan Circus where a troupe of misfit puppets entertain.

“Once one is invited into this amazing, rich and complicated world of puppets all you want to do is share the magic,” said Smith.

There are also several workshops for all ages that complement the WIAW programming such as the storytelling workshop, mask making, pop-up storybook making and the always popular sock puppet making workshop.

New this year is the Puppet Table Talk Roundtable featuring the puppeteers that have come to perform from around the world to talk about their techniques, their artistic culture and the touring circuit. This deep dive will be fascinating to all aged 10 and over.

Finally, this is the year of the big reveal as Stratford continues to cement itself as a member of AVIAMA, the international association of puppet-friendly cities of which this city is the only English-speaking member in the world.

For the past year, a community of artisans both local and international have been working on the project code named The Phoenix.

“We are building a truly magical giant parade puppet that will be an emblematic entity, Stratford’s very own,” said Smith. “We are excited to embed aspects of Stratford’s identity into this ‘being’ – resonances of history and dreams for the future.”

The worldwide debut of this giant transforming puppet conceived here in town by Smith will take place and make appearances in Market Square and along Veteran’s Drive. She will travel along the street in her first transformation of a locomotive engine operated by trained puppeteers then in an engineering feat will magically transform into The Phoenix, a beautiful colourful character to amaze and delight onlookers.

“She is made possible by funding from RTO4 and from generous donations in the community both near and far. This is about different communities, a world community, a puppeteer, the theatrical community in Shaw that donated thousands of dollars in fabric. We’ve been gifted steel and the scooter and other kinds of materials as well as different versions of volunteer assistance of highly skilled people,” said Smith.

The Phoenix will be able to be deployed to other international puppet festivals to represent Stratford and provide a return on investment.

For a full calendar of events for World in a Weekend, or to buy tickets visit springworksfestival.ca, where there is also the facility to donate to the festival to support the ongoing programming and the construction of the Phoenix.