SIMULTANEOUS TOURS FOR MERMAID THREATRE OF NOVA SCOTIA

(Windsor, NS) Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia's acclaimed flagship productions continue to enjoy repeat engagements at hundreds of venues throughout North America, as well as to attract new fans abroad. Two separate touring companies will leave the company's home base in Windsor, NS on January 11th, 2011, embarking on the second stage of simultaneous tours which will see 180 performances presented in 22 states and five provinces.
 
Opening at Oakville, ON on January 16th, Leo Lionni’s SWIMMY, FREDERICK & INCH BY INCH is a composite of three of the author’s exquisite children’s book. First produced in 2006, more than 450 performances have been applauded by more than
245,000 spectators throughout Canada and the USA, as well as in Singapore and Taiwan where Mandarin as well as English-language versions have been staged.  The highly successful show (as well as Mermaid’s THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR & OTHER ERIC CARLE FAVOURITES) earned UNIMA-USA’s Citation of Excellence in July 2010, one of North America’s most prestigious awards in the field of puppetry. The production was directed and designed by Jim Morrow, the whimsical score is the work of Steven Naylor, and the eloquent narration by Richard Donat.
Company members include performers Rhys Bevan-John and Andrea Lee Norwood, and Christine Oakey, stage manager.
 
Opening on the same day in Bloomington, IL, THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR & OTHER ERIC CARLE FAVOURITES is now recognized as one of North America’s most popular productions for families. The English-language version features narration by Gordon Pinsent, one of Canada’s most respected performers. The current roster of touring company members includes performers Rebecca Russell and Dan Bates, and stage manager Patti Neice.  Local audiences will welcome The Caterpillar home on Saturday, June 19th, when the show is presented at the Mermaid Imperial Performing Arts Centre (MIPAC) in Windsor, NS @ 2:00 PM.
 
Founded in 1972, Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia ranks among North America's best-known theatres for family audiences.  The company has performed for more than 4 million spectators on 4 continents, and continues to serve as an impressive cultural ambassador for Nova Scotia and for Canada.