Grampa Trollson Photo: Ying Wang, Mask: Melody Anderson
The
Trollsons are a magical and comedic family of Trolls from
the Canadian forest. The Trollsons have been entertaining
at festivals and special events around Canada since
1995, as well as touring to Singapore, China, and Japan.
The
incredible troll masks were made by award winning
mask
designer Melody Anderson. The Trollsons are seen two at a time, though
there are five characters, including four trolls and one reindeer!
The
Trollsons have been strolling and entertaining
audiences
since 1995. These extraordinary troll characters make mouths drop,
and tourists flock to get their photos taken with them. We are roving
characters, and tailor ourselves to each event. We read rune stones
and predict the future, tell tall troll tales, matchmake, give herbal
remedies, and generally cause mischief and merriment with cowbells,
drum and accordion.
Please
download our
TROLLSONS brochure.
Includes information on all of our acts.
Originally
commissioned by the Singapore Arts Festival (Children's
Component), the Trollsons present two new highly
interactive story theatre plays, based on world
folklore: The
One-Eyed Troll and The Selkie.
The Selkie Storyteller Lenard Stanga, Heidi Specht as
the Selkie, Audience Member Milo Robinson
Photo: Michael Ford Photography
Mask: Melody Anderson
The One-Eyed Troll Lenard Stanga as the One-Eyed Troll, Audience
Member Milo Robinson
Photo: Michael Ford Photography
Mask: Melody Anderson
Audience
members join in the action and become part of the
unique storytelling style. The two tales are extremely
portable, low-tech, and flexible, and have been
performed in many environments, from large theatres
with full technical support, to impromptu street
performances. The shows can be performed individually
or as a pair. With masks by award-winning designer
Melody Anderson, the audience is taken on a journey
around the world. Be careful, you might just get
swept up into the action!
Download
our printable brochure for The One-Eyed Troll and
The Selkie.
Also
on Tour: The
Trollsons are proud to present
the Pangaea Arts production of:
STORIES
on WHEELS
STORIES
on WHEELS is
an original street theatre storytelling act for
the whole family. Tales are brought to life by
a high-energy comic performer, using beautifully
illustrated picture cards displayed in a magnificent
miniature wooden stage attached to the back of
a vintage bicycle.
Inspired
by a traditional Japanese travelling storytelling
show called Kamishibai (literally paper theatre),
the show combines the best of oral storytelling
and narrative painting. Featuring gorgeous illustrations
by local artists, as well as traditional picture
cards from Japan, several short stories are told
with music, dramatic action, and audience interaction.
As well, the audience gets to hear an amusing and
informative history of the art form. You’ve
never been told a story this way, before!
The
show is extremely portable, low-tech, and flexible,
and can be performed in a wide range of environments,
from large theatres with full technical support,
to classrooms, to impromptu street performances
on a bit of grass or sidewalk.
Download
our printable brochure for
STORIES on WHEELS.
THE
STORYTELLER is a 50-minute indoor play suitable
for ages 4 to 11. Join us for three truly interactive
tales based on stories by Hans Christian Andersen,
featuring live music, incredible masks, physical
comedy, improvisation, and good old-fashioned troll
trouble! Two actors play all of the characters,
and are accompanied by a live musician.
The Trollsons in THE STORYTELLER
Excerpts
Come
deep into the forests of Scandinavia as four
masked characters and a musician bring to life
the folklore of trolls. It's Grandpa Trollson's
200th birthday party, but he refuses to come
out of his tree stump to celebrate! With the
help of some audience participants onstage, Grandpa
cannot resist the power of storytelling.
THE
STORYTELLER had
a very successful run at the 2009 Singapore International
Children’s Festival, and has also been
seen at the London (Ontario) Children’s
Festival, Shanghai Children’s Festival,
the China Puppet Theatre in Beijing, and throughout
BC. The incredible troll masks were made by award
winning mask designer Melody Anderson.
THE
STORYTELLER is touring to BC schools and communities
in 2010 and 2011.
The
Storyteller is a co-production with the Trollsons
and Pangaea
Arts.
A
unique show that engages and enthralls. The cleverness
of their staging, the artistic flair and their
inimitable talent make performing for
young audiences seem easy and effortless. Ruby Lim-Yang, Artistic Director , Singapore
International Festival for Children
The
Storyteller was presented as part of our Children’s
Theatre Series. Their show delighted and
engaged our audience and the masks were a true
visual treat. I would highly recommend their
production to anyone presenting children’s
theatre and look forward to seeing them on our
season offerings in the future. Ted Harrison, Vernon and District
Performing Arts Centre
The
students thoroughly enjoyed your production,
especially the volunteering and interactive segments.
It was a great idea “volunteering” a
male staff member for the Princess Pea part!
Thank you for a wonderful and very enjoyable
performance! Sandra Chan, Ranch Park Elementary,
Coquitlam.
Thank
you for bringing your delightful show to our
town. We really appreciate you sharing your gifts
with us. Anne Eggart, Children's Showcase,
Penticton
What your group does is really rare, and I feel quite lucky to have seen your oral storytelling.
My children have seen your wonderful shows at the last two Surrey Reads events ... and my son and myself LOVED the Selkie story as well as last year's Two Header.
Sara Grant
Manager of Youth Services for Surrey Public Library
The
Trollsons have performed their roving, festival
shows, and indoor children's theatre throughout
BC and the Lower Mainland, and a few tours around
the world! Here are some examples:
Shanghai
International Children’s
Festival
China Puppet Theatre (Beijing)
Singapore International Arts Festival
Canal City Fukuoka, Japan
Singapore International Children’s Festival
Vancouver International Children’s Festival
Calgary International Children’s Festival
London
(Ontario) International Children’s Festival
Surrey
Children's Festival
Nanaimo International Children’s Festival
Whistler Village (summer & winter)
Vancouver International Comedy Festival
Filberg Festival of the Arts, Comox
Nordic Festival, Libby, Montana
Harrison Festival of the Arts – Children’s
Day
Qualicum Beach Family Day
Victoria First Night Festival
IKEA Family Day and Knut Celebrations
Sun Peaks Ski Resort
Faces of the World Festival, Coquitlam
Scandinavian Midsummer Festival
Semiahmoo Resort, Washington, USA
Private events: eg. Chief of Police 50th Birthday
