Photo Flash: First Look at BELLO at Young People's Theatre

Bello by Governor General Award-winning playwright Vern Thiessen, translated by Brian Dooley, is being directed by Mieko Ouchi in a co-production by Young People's Theatre, Concrete Theatre and L'Unithéâtre, presented in English and in French. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Imagine a time when there were no phones, no cars and no light bulbs - when the land stretched out like a quilted bed and the sky was like an ocean overhead. A lonely young boy named Bern gets lost traveling home from school during a snowstorm. He meets an old woman who has been shunned by the village, and from this chance encounter, Bern makes a discovery - about himself, his family and the importance of compassion.

Bello is based on stories from the Mennonite Ukraine of the 1920s, a world where hard times and struggle are part of daily life, but where the healing powers of humour, love and family ultimately flourish. Set in a fable-like world, Bello is performed in rhythm and rhyme with live sound, much like an old fashioned radio play, with foley (audio) effects presented on stage in full view of the audience.

Directed by Mieko Ouchi, Bello features Nicole St. Martin, Gabriel Gagnon and Morgan Yamada. French translation is by Brian Dooley with Production Design by Patrick Beagan and Stage Management by Corben Kushneryk.

Bello recently won a Sterling Award for Outstanding Artistic Achievement, Theatre for Young Audiences.

BELLO runs now through October 20, 2017 at Young People's Theatre, 165 Front Street East, Toronto. Recommended for ages 6-9. Runs approximately 50 minutes. Visit www.youngpeoplestheatre.ca/shows-tickets/bello for tickets ($10-$34) and more information.

Photo Credit: Ali Sultani

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