25 years of Munsch at Winnipeg theatre

Prairie Theatre Exchange is set to open this year's adaptation of Robert Munsch books into live theatre. 

This year's adaptation is made up of five stories. Three are Munsch classics, The Paper Bag Princess, David’s Father and The Fire Station, and two new books, Give Me Back My Dad and It’s My Room!

This is the 25th year young audiences have seen their favourite children's stories come to life. Robert Metcalfe is the PTE's artistic director. He says he has the easy job of coming up with a title, and passing it along to Debbie Patterson, who adapts the stories for stage. 

“Her adaptations have been extremely popular because they are clever and fun for kids, but also are full of witty references that keep adults engaged too," said Metcalfe. "Her adaptations are produced all over the country, which is another testament to the brilliance of Kim’s idea.”

​'Kim's idea' refers to Kim McCaw, who was the artistic director of PTE in 1986. He had been looking for a new show for PTE to program for children.  

“I decided that we were a Canadian theatre, and we did Canadian stories. The most famous Canadian children’s writer at that time was Robert Munsch. It seemed a pretty easy choice,” said McCaw, who now teaches at the University of Alberta.

The show's director Sharon Bajer has worked on past Munsch productions. She said one of her first shows as an actor was Much More Munsch. 

“It was like doing a rock concert for children. All kids I know love the repetition, and the familiarity of these stories, and I am always thrilled when they shout things out or tell the stories along with the actors. As a director, I love doing them because it challenges me to live up to the expectation of the stories while giving the audience new ways of seeing them told," said Bajer. 

Bajer said she likes to show children how many ways a few objects can be used to tell a story. 

"This year, we are creating a giant, a fire truck, a dragon’s lair, an ice fishing hole and a bedroom out of one table. Rehearsals are always creative, collaborative and fun, and I am very excited this year by the notion of how books and stories can transcend time,” said Bajer.

The plays will run from December 19th to January 4th.

Ticket prices start at $10.25 for individual rush seating, and go up to $46 for a family four pack with assigned seating.