Buttons and Pockets
What if clowns created the universe? What's the connection between juggling and astrophysics? Can we sew up the Fabric of Spacetime into a stylish new suit?! Buttons & Pockets is a fable about creativity, the cosmos, & how we weave science and art into the fabric of reality. For kids, physicists, & the young at heart.
This smart, science-focused kids’ show captivated my 3-year-old (who thought it was “so funny” but probably didn’t understand everything) and my 7-year-old (who liked “Buttons coming to life” and “the part when they made the solar system”). Older audience members get to appreciate the brilliant word play, nerdy jokes and strong performances. This was a unique show amongst the theatre for kids offerings and kept us talking about it for the rest of the afternoon. Loved it and would recommend for a range of ages.
Buttons and Pockets is a cute show that combines science and art for kids and adults alike. The set and costumes’ for this show really help to set the mood, alongside Pockets (Marya Folinsbee) and Buttons (Aaron Pickett) wonderfully over the top personalities.
The EPL stage is accessible although it can be annoying, but the main highlight of the space is that there is a washroom to the right of the stage, so you don’t have to worry about if your kids need the bathroom during the show. I used Loop quiet earplugs and a tangle to make the experience more enjoyable/accessible for me. I appreciate when kids' shows understand that adults will be in attendance and try to make it a fun experience for all ages, but I did find myself wondering if they sometimes went too far from their target audience. There were moments where the adults seemed to enjoy themselves more, especially with some of the jokes that made references kids didn’t understand (or find funny, it’s hard to tell which with certain ages). That being said, there were definite moments where everyone was engaged, such as: Buttons juggling near the beginning, the confetti moments, and the black hole (not to spoil anything). They also end the show with a great musical number, and like the rest of the show it's an educational and silly time.
Out of this world!
A Buttons and Pockets Fringe Review, by Andrea Noga (AYTC).
If you’ve got little ones fringing with you, Buttons and Pockets is the perfect show to bring them into the theatre world in a fun, and educational way.
Buttons and Pockets follows a clumsy designer (“Pockets”-- Marya Folinsbee) as she frets to try and bring her creation to life (“Buttons”-- Aaron Pickett). After Buttons is brought to life, a new problem arises– the creation of a new universe. Through a series of science-themed plots, Buttons and Pocket work tirelessly to design this new cosmos.
While I may not be the target audience for this show, I was surrounded by young children who all clearly had a blast. They reacted strongly to all that was presented, clearly engaged by the story being told to them. There were multiple opportunities for the audience to talk directly to the performers, and one child was even allowed to come onstage and participate in part of the show. Though, the show includes a few smart jokes for the grown-up scientists in the audience too.
Folinsbee and Pickett are both charming performers, staying in their sweet character personas throughout. Folinsbee, a frantic designer, and Pickett, cool, calm, and rhyming. They play off each other easily and understand the nuances of how the other performs.
The show also includes a fair amount of scientific knowledge, presented in a way that kids can learn from. If you have young ones that you’re bringing to Fringe, this is a worthy show to add to your list!