Christmas magic with the tales of a lost explorer...
Tribe Theatre is delighted to present 'How to Wrestle a Polar Bear' – the strange tales and exploits of legendary explorer Thaddeus M. Whimsicleese, at Sligo's Factory Theatre. In this hour-long show for young persons of the adventurous and intelligent persuasion, Whimsicleese - currently en route from the South Pole - will be telling stories of his perilous adventures in the wild imaginary wastes.
Tribe is run by Sligo actor Bob Kelly - an adventurer of sorts himself, Bob fully appreciates that while many of Whimsicleese’s fantasmagorical tales may seem exaggerated or ridiculous, there is much of practical use to be learned from such gallant pioneers.
"It is a sad fact that modern life leaves children tragically unprepared for the real world. Do they know how to defeat wild polar animals in single combat? How to build an igloo that keeps the wolves at bay? Would they survive an Antarctic snowstorm? Probably not. So we’ve invited the great explorer Thaddeus M. Whimsicleese – of course you’ve heard of him - to Sligo to speak about his adventures in the icy Antarctic wastes. This will be his first visit to the Northern Hemisphere since his abrupt disappearance forty-odd years ago. It will also, he has grumpily informed us, be his last visit, as he is determined to get back to adventuring as soon as possible."
It is exciting to note that Mr. Whimsicleese also claims to have important information to impart regarding a mysterious beast that he has been hunting, a strange and probably imaginary animal whom he refers to only as "The Lord of Snow." He has dedicated his entire life to finding this ridiculous animal, and requests that any young people in Sligo who have information concerning its whereabouts or nature should contact him immediately by telegram.
Sligo actor Bob Kelly is a graduate of the Ecole Internationale de Jacques Lecoq in Paris and is a regular collaborator with Blue Raincoat Theatre Company. From his beginnings in Sligo Youth Theatre, he has gone on to perform with the Royal Ballet School, The Louvre, and at The Abbey. His most recent performance was as Christy Mahon in Blue Raincoat’s Playboy of the Western World.
‘How to Wrestle a Polar Bear’ is suitable for children aged five and up, and will play in the Factory Theatre foyer on Thursday December 18th and Friday December 19th at 6pm and 8pm, and on Saturday December 20th at 11am, 1pm, 3pm and 5pm. Special performances for schools will take place on Thursday and Friday morning at 11 am.
Tickets are €5 (with special concessions €4 for schools/groups over 10) and can be booked on 071 9161518. As this show will be presented in the Factory foyer, places are limited and early booking is advisable.
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