
“Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch" at the Rock Island Public Library Watts-Midtown Branch -- January 30.
Thursday, January 30, 6:30 p.m.
Rock Island Public Library Watts-Midtown Branch, 2715 30th Street, Rock Island IL
With its performers the latest guests in Quad City Arts' Visiting Artist Series, the children's-book adaptation Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch enjoys a special January 30 presentation at the Rock Island Public Library's Watts-Midtown Branch, this beautiful, funny, and touching short play with puppets imagined for the stage by Axis Theatre’s artistic director Chris McGregor.
Its book version written by Eileen Spinelli, McGregor's stage rendition of Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch is set in a friendly and quaint town in the 1940s. Mr. Hatch (portrayed here by a puppet) is a tall, thin, lonely man who works a simple but important job attaching the aglets to shoelaces at a factory. He often spends time alone and doesn’t have the confidence or desire to make or keep friends. One day, however, his life turns around when he receives a package on Valentine’s Day with a pink bow that has a message that reads “Somebody loves you.” Mr. Hatch’s world is consequently turned upside down and he begins to make friends, treat himself to all sorts of nice foods, and enjoy the fun parts of life that he once ignored. After receiving the letter, Mr. Hatch also goes on a hunt to find out who sent him the mysterious package, resulting in a heartwarming puppet play for family audiences that examines the effect that kindness can have on a lonely existence.
Axis Theatre is based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and its productions are performed in theatres and schools, enriching curriculum, drawing children into stories, and giving them access to ideas in new ways. Their 59 original works have earned 21 Jessie Richardson Awards, A Betty Mitchell Award, and a Drama Desk Award nomination for Unique Theatrical Experience. Lin Bennett, Wendy Gorling, Elizabeth Murray-Byers, and Wayne Specht, who became the founding Artistic Director, came together as a group in 1973-74. Each member trained at either Étienne Decroux or L’École Lecoq and were eager to promote their chosen art form. The Axis Mime Theatre Society incorporated in May 1975 as the next step to access financial support to create the structure needed to administer their activities on a consistent, professional level. More than 50 years later, Axis Theatre Company continues to create original physical theatre productions for the young and young at heart.
Chris McGregor is a third-generation Settler from Scotland and England. He has a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Drama from Bishop’s University and a Masters in Theatre (MFA) in Directing from the University of British Columbia. He has taught physical theatre, Commedia dell’arte, mask, and Red Nose Clown at the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, Bishop’s University, and Studio 58. Over the course of his career, McGregor has directed more than 60 productions across Canada, has won four Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards and been nominated for three Ovation Awards for directing. Beyond Mr. Hatch, McGregor has adapted the children’s books The Little Old Man, Frog Belly Rat Bone, and Cry, Heart, but Never Break into puppet plays for the stage.
Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch will be presented at the Rock Island Public Library's Watts-Midtown Branch on January 30, participation in the 6:30 p.m. event is free, and more information on the show and the Visiting Artist Series is available by calling (309)793-1213 and visiting QuadCityArts.com.