Puppetry and Opera show is touring Bermuda schools

A Bermudian and his partner have come back to the island to share their love of puppetry and opera with the island’s children.

Alexander Winfield and Latana Phoung together are Musicanima Theater and have brought their children’s show “The Other Side” to the island’s public schools.

Mr Winfield has worked with puppets for the past ten years and Ms Phoung is a mezzo soprano opera singer.

He explained what the show is about.

“Our particular company is focusing on our respected skills. We decided to combine these skills and bring opera and puppetry to children.

“Opera has this reputation for being elitist. We would like to give younger people a taste for what it’s like in a setting that’s comfortable for them, to make sure they can hear it and they can see it.”

Mr Winfield and Ms Phoung were given a grant from the Arts Council and were sponsored by British Airways to come to Bermuda and perform.

Their show is about a young girl who wants nothing more than to be an opera singer. In following her journeys through a dream-like land called "The Other Side", children learn about the importance of friendship, self-confidence and perseverance, and they will be introduced to some of the great arias of opera history in an entertaining and accessible format.

Mr Winfield wrote the hour-long show that is aimed for children aged five to 12.

At the end of each show, there is a question and answer period. Ms Phoung said there are usually no less than 20 questions asked including “Can you break a glass with your voice”.

She said since they have been performing on island, the interest in the schools has grown.

“Now that they have seen it, the principals talk to each other and want it in their school. It’s a work in progress. You see what’s working with children and what they like.”

The show has already been performed in the UK. They had a residency at the Greenwich Theatre and also performed at The Little Angel Theatre, which is the only committed puppet theatre in London.

The one-hour programme will be performed to students at East End Primary, Gilbert Institute, Port Royal Primary, Somerset Primary, Victor Scott Primary and West End Primary.