African Folktales with Erik de Waal

Rating:

(Reviewed at the 2015 Winnipeg Fringe Festival)

Company: Kalabash Kidz, Edmonton

Genre:Storytelling

Venue:30 Kids Venue (MTYPMainstage)

Erik de Waal has become a reliable Fringe mainstay with his delightful renditions of traditional folktales.

• Winnipeg Fringe 2016: read our reviews

Using simply a few well-designed hand puppets, a maskand a couple of pieces of cloth, de Waal is able to entertain his young audiences thoroughly.

The carefully measured cadence of his voice helps draw kids in, but it's his playful back and forth with them and his genuine respect for them as an audience that keeps them engaged for his 45-minute show.

The two tales might burn a bit slowly for very fidgety Fringers, but for toddlers and elementary school-aged kids, de Waal is a reliable bet.