Kyle’s Pile

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 11/07/2011 (4926 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

School of Contemporary Dancers (Kids Fringe), to Sunday

In a post-Shrek world, pop-culture references for adults reign supreme in children’s entertainment. How this has affected its quality is debatable although Kyle’s Pile is more evidence it’s not a good thing.

A cute premise — the pile of clothes and toys in a boy’s closet comes to life — is betrayed here by un-child-friendly writing. A news-show-host puppet who talks about hoarders and an overachieving mother who learns languages while washing the windows aren’t added for the entertainment value of kids.

It might be fine if the duo performing the show infused it all with some child-like charm, but it mostly feels brittle, including the acting.

There are some cute moments and lessons are learned, but the whole thing is forced and not nearly as fun as it should be.

— Barb Stewart

 

From the official Fringe Festival program:

Kyle’s a boy who’s lots of fun,
but isn’t very neat.

When asked to please clean up his room,
he kind of likes to cheat.

He loves to play at games all day,
but never puts his things away.

That pile of stuff keeps growing.
It reaches to the sky.

One day that pile looks down at Kyle
and says with a smile, “Well, Hi!”

http://www.facebook.com/KylesPile.edge

Recommended For: Especially for Kids (12 & Under)

Length: 45 MIN

Tickets: $10

Discount Tickets: $5 for Kids (12 & under)

Babes in arms permitted.