The 100 Acre Wood Comes Home

The House at Pooh Corner at Manitoba Theatre for Young People, Friday December 9, 2011

Reviewed by Stephanie Adamov

This play will evoke many memories for its audience. For me, it immediately triggered all the warmth of my first venture to the 100 Acre Wood as a child, squeezing my mother’s hand as I trudged up the spiral staircase at McNally Robinson Booksellers. Eyes wide, nearly tripping on the dizzy incline, I looked up in awe at the leafy green of the tree that stood prominently at the centre of the bookstore. My mushroom haircut trembled with both delight and trepidation, anticipating the possibility of catching a mere glimpse of the beloved Pooh Bear.

Ever the teacher, my mother explained that a long time ago, a bear was named “Winnie” after a soldier (Harry Colebourn) named the animal for his hometown of Winnipeg. That same bear had moved to the London Zoo where he made friends with a boy named Christopher Robin. She explained this as we sat in the cozy enclosure of trees of the children’s section and began to read as we awaited Pooh’s imminent arrival.

Unfortunately, he never came to visit my mother and me that afternoon or ever. Since that inaugural visit, I would catch myself peering behind bookshelves to see if Winnie the Pooh would suddenly emerge. Nonetheless, his presence was always felt there among the myriads of wonderful books of adventure and whimsy.

In this holiday season’s MTYP production of The House at Pooh Corner, director Kim Selody is introducing a new generation of audiences to the boy, the bear and his friends who were immortalized by the pen of Christopher Robin’s father, Alan Alexander Milne.

Through an attentive ear, great wit, and an extremely thin nursery wall, A. A. Milne captured the whimsical stories of Winnie the Pooh. He, his wife, and Alice the nanny created many stimulating adventures involving Christopher Robin and his stuffed animal collection.

The character of Milne is eloquently executed by performer David Warburton in an opening story frame. He announces that his son is to begin school soon. Christopher will therefore not be able to visit his friends in the nursery any longer. As the audience is greeted by Milne, he states humbly that the introduction is soon to become the conclusion. A conclusion, Owl defines helpfully, is the “exact opposite of an introduction.” And so begins the final magical visit to the enchanted wood, home to marvelous memories and exciting adventures conveyed through precise and lovely language.

Maggie Nagle, the anxious nanny, and Tasker, the vibrant gardener played by Toby Hughes emerge into the room where Milne is discussing the conclusion with the audience. They fervently plead to also join Christopher, who’s played by promising, young Manitoba actors (Tristan Mackid, Dane Bjornson and Mackenzie Wojik who alternate in the role).

When Milne agrees that they too shall journey to the forest, the nursery doors burst open, and the world of Pooh Bear, Piglet and friends is brilliantly illuminated. The performers lead the audience of children, parents, grandparents and theatre critics onto the transformed stage and into the magical forest to participate fully in the play and to enter the world of a youngster’s imagination.

William Chesney the set/costume designer and lighting designer Bill William work closely to create this truly splendid world of imagination and creativity. The trees are illumined by glowing lights that spark up behind the scrim of Ernest H. Shepard’s illustrations from the Pooh books, and they create a warm, inviting home to transport us into the world of our imaginations.

The experience on the MTYP stage was nothing short of magical and reminded me of the remarkable moment the nursery window is opened and Peter Pan soars with the children to the colourful and magnificent Neverland. I have previewed this precious theatrical moment because my inner child as well as my production mind urges that this scene be retold for readers, to entice them to see the play, and for others who may not have the opportunity to experience this highly engaging performance.

The audience members’ young and old are invited to sit on stage in close proximity to the actors, who through the work of puppetry skillfully bring to life the tales, adventures and humourous predicaments found within the story The House at Pooh Corner. Shawn Kettner is the mistress of puppet design and builder. The traditional characters show evidence that they are very well loved in their slightly matted appearance.

Toby Hughes plays the timid and cautious Piglet contrasting with the extroverted and particularly boisterous Tigger. This is Tigger’s introduction to the Pooh series, as he did not appear in the first book. Maggie Nagle transforms fluidly from the worrisome Eeyore, maternal Kanga, courageous Roo, frantic Rabbit to the calm, wise Owl, while the fuzzy-minded but well-meaning Pooh Bear is personified in puppet form by David Warburton as he saunters about the stage.

The one-hundred-year-old story of a lovable black bear who won the hearts of a soldier, a child named Christopher, and later millions of children, is once again relived and revived most joyfully for the audience on stage at MTYP. The departure of Christopher Robin from the 100 Acre Wood is not angry or resistive but rather accepting. Through this graceful acceptance, the older audience members express understanding in their applause as the puppets are laid down and they depart the 100 Acre Wood.

During this holiday season find a young friend and take the time to step into the world of childhood imagination at the 100 Acre Wood and visit The House at Pooh Corner.

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The House at Pooh Corner presented by MTYP, 1 Forks Market Road, Winnipeg, showtimes:  December 11 at 1 pm, 4 pm • Dec. 16 at 7 pm • Dec. 17 at 4 pm • Dec. 18 at 1 pm, 4 pm • Dec. 23 at 3:30 pm, 7 pm • Dec. 24 at 1 pm • Dec. 26 at 1 pm, 4 pm • Dec. 27 at 1 pm, 4 pm • Dec. 28 at 1 pm, 4 pm • Dec. 29 at 1 pm, 4 pm; Dec. 30 at 1 pm, 4 pm.