This November, BYU Young Company Tells the Whimsical Tale of “Babe, The Sheep Pig”
BYU Young Company’s newest production “Babe, The Sheep Pig” follows a young pig, Babe, as he strives to find his place in his farm community. His untraditional approach involves learning how to herd sheep and entering into The Grand National Sheepdog Trials. “It’s not an easy path, but Babe overcomes judgments about his abilities, proving his kind but plucky attitude is just what’s needed for the job,” said the production’s director Teresa Dayley Love.
“Babe, The Sheep Pig” is based on a play adapted by David Wood from a classic children’s book of the same name by Dick King-Smith. Many U.S. audience members might be familiar with the 1995 film.
Love said that the show is intended for children and their grown-ups and is currently being performed in elementary schools and libraries along the Wasatch Front until mid-December, in addition to its run at BYU’s Studio Theatre.
The characters — dogs, sheep, ducks, other farm animals, as well as human characters — are all brought to life through a type of puppetry called “found object puppetry.” In the show, the puppets are constructed to look like nothing more than ordinary objects around the farm, but before long, items like baskets of fruit, bits of rope and balls of yarn come alive to tell Babe’s story. This approach creatively reflects Babe’s own journey discovering his “found family.”
“Using puppets designed by puppet craftsman Dallin Blankenship and Young Company Production Designer Kim White, the BYU Young Company actors have learned how to bring puppetry up close and personal for young audiences,” said Love. “There are many roles for audience members to join in with the performers. Children are invited to act as puppies, sheep and more. Even grown-ups can participate as we all come together and tell the story of the little pig who just won’t give up.”
Tickets and Show Details
When:
Nov. 13–15, 20–22 at 7:00 p.m.
Nov. 16 and 23 at 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Where: Studio Theatre — BYU West Campus
Price: $9–$12
Tickets: Available online at BYU tickets