VIEW Magazine

A VELVETEEN BEAUTY
by LAURA CATTARI

The Waterdown Village Theatre’s production of The Velveteen Rabbit has brought childhood magic to life.

Originally written by Margery Williams and delightfully adapted by Phil Grecian, the story captures the wish of every toy—and child—to love and be loved in return.

Set in the early 20th century, this is the story of that titular Rabbit, played exceptionally well by Alexandra DeJong, 11, whose wide emotional range in this piece is utterly believable and appropriate. This rabbit longs to be real to her spirited and sensitive owner, Alex, played by ten–year–old Daniel Rocchi. Alex is lovingly looked after by his Nana, Leena Lehtikallio. Their opening scene together immediately draws you in - both warm and natural, it pleasantly lulls the audience into the familiar feeling of bedtime, only to subsequently surprise us with the fantastical entrance of the toys, brought to life.

An idiosyncratic and charming lot of uppity toys—Mouse (Julia Rocchi), Timothy the Lion (Evan McDonald) and Bulka the Puppy (Shilo Nelson), laugh at and belittle the sawdust–stuffed Rabbit for her lack of lustre. The Rabbit is saved from their bullying by Skin Horse, played by Brock University Theatre graduate Jennifer Graham, who explains the facts of toy life to her with a sincerity and compassion that is truly touching.

As the play progresses, fear looms as Scarlet Fever threatens Alex. Nana calls the Doctor, played with all the appropriate bluster and aplomb by Lorne Lieberman. In this and subsequent scenes, the Doctor shows how incomprehensible—if not mean—adults can seem to children. But in a bit of childish revenge by the author, the character is subsequently taken down a peg or two—which Lieberman enacts with good grace and humour.

Mia Presta (11), Emily Benham (10) and Austin Turner (11) should also be mentioned—they play three impish real” rabbits that our Velveteen Rabbit encounters in the woods, and they do a good job of embodying the fun and fastidiousness of the creatures.

Margery Williams’s play shows us that love can be magical. It includes those of us that are different, making us feel special. Yet it also reminds us that even though things change, including ourselves, the memory of friendship endures, which is possibly why as adults we can still enjoy this story so much.

Kerry Corrigan wonderfully brings this story to life with meticulous attention to detail and loving care. Dedicated entrances and exits, which enable the characters to appear and disappear with surprising if not hilarious regularity.

Costume and make–up coordinator Nea Reid shows a wonderful attention to detail, with charming effect. In fact, costumes, props, set construction and decoration were lovingly made by no less 39 volunteering hands, and it shows.

Lighting designer and operator A. J. Fleet is also to be commended for the creative use lighting to effectively portray the “Scarlet Fear” that is at the centre of this play.

Where children’s theatre can be anywhere from chaotic to a little too precious, Corrigan has established a naturalness to the production that is enchanting. And, as the young audience around me can attest, these were “real” kid’s kids. It is definitely worth the drive to Waterdown to see this classic tale.