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Culture Stage

Danes at play

ELEMENTAL DANISH THEATRE featuring five productions from Denmark. Through October 17 at various Harbourfront Centre venues. $18, under 12 $12. 416-973-4000. 


One of the sweetest parts of SUPERDANISH is the visit of five theatre works from Denmark.

They come, though, with a few surprises. First, they’re all shows intended for family audiences. Second, none is adapted from a Hans Christian Andersen tale.

Just as importantly, all the shows speak to adults as well as kids. They’re proof that theatre for young audiences is best when it’s not condescending and one-dimensional, a form of babysitting to occupy youngsters while their parents take a break.

Worried about the language? Don’t be. All five shows are either in English or are non-verbal. None’s longer than 75 minutes.

Currently on view is Ta’ Ti’ Ting (Take Ten Things) , one of two shows by Teater Rio Rose . The dance/theatre piece looks at the memories of an old woman (through October 8).

The company’s other show, Se Mig (See Me), is a clown-based work about struggling “to be, or not to be” in the spotlight (October 9-13).

And speaking of “to be, or not to be,” what’s a Danish theatre festival without some reference to that most famous of all stage Danes, Hamlet ?

Det Lille Turnéteater offers a two-actor version of the Shakespeare tragedy, told through the eyes of the prince’s friend Horatio, with music and sound effects by a couple of double basses (October 11-15).

Another literary classic is Lennie And George , Teatret Møllen ‘s take on John Steinbeck’s tale about a pair of outsiders, Of Mice And Men. What youngster won’t respond to a story of bullying and friendship, the kind of thing encountered regularly in the school playground (October 13-16)?

The final show is Teatret V. Hans Rønne ‘s Ditto , another clown piece, in which a pair of figures confront each other at the edge of a dark room. With one inside and one outside, the encounter is about “the risk and the possibility” inherent in their meeting (October 14-17).

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