CMC - Show and tell: Growing up Canadian , COMMUNIQUE

MEDIA RELEASE

For immediate release

Exhibition brings back characters from
60 years of CBC children's programming

Show and Tell: Growing Up Canadian
November 3, 2001 to May 6, 2002

Hull, Quebec, November 1, 2001 — The Canadian Children’s Museum is pleased to present Show and Tell: Growing Up Canadian, an exhibition that celebrates the best of 60 years of CBC programming for children. This popular exhibition was first created in 1999 by the CBC Museum in Toronto. The Canadian Children’s Museum has modified the exhibition to include more artifacts and information about French-language children’s programming by Radio-Canada. Show and Tell: Growing Up Canadian will open on Saturday, November 3, 2001 and run until May 6, 2002 at the Canadian Children’s Museum, part of the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Hull, Quebec.

Show and Tell is much more than an exhibition that outlines the history of the most impressive Canadian television and radio programming for children. It is an exhibition that has the power to make people relive their childhood memories. The nostalgic power of Show and Tell gives parents the perfect opportunity to share important parts of their childhood with their children. The same is true for grandparents with their grandchildren, as the exhibition includes programming from the 1930s and the golden age of radio.

Show and Tell is an exhibition rich in artifacts, with more than 200 puppets, costumes, props and memorabilia. Those who watched The Friendly Giant during its long run from 1958 to 1985 will be entranced when they see the puppets Rusty and Jerome, the Giant’s castle and costume, and even the furniture the Giant would arrange at the start of each episode. Fans of Mr. Dressup, which played from 1967 until 1996, will be thrilled to see the famous Tickle Trunk and some of its wonderful contents. It is fitting to note that the recent death of Ernie Coombs, who played the role of Mr. Dressup for nearly thirty years, provoked a surge of memorial tributes in media across Canada, attesting to the talent of the actor and the stature of the character he embodied.

French-Canadian families will marvel at the sight of Fanfreluche’s dress, which actress Kim Yaroshevskaya wore to lead children in and out of marvellous stories from 1956 to 1971. Paillasson’s garish costume will bring back fond memories of the loveable, laughable clown who was such an important figure to children who watched La Ribouldingue from 1967 to 1971. And the dresses of the beloved but mischievous Bobinette will delight the many people who enjoyed the longest-running children’s television show in Canadian history: Bobino, which aired for 28 years from 1957 to 1985.

Radio and television were inventions that changed our lives by giving us new ways to share ideas, tell stories and communicate with each other. Over the years the characters and programmes changed, but these media remain influential articulators of the world around us. The voices of radio-era characters such as Maggie Muggins and Tante Lucille were loved and welcomed into thousands of Canadian homes during the 1940s and 1950s, and their unique storytelling was essential entertainment in the lives of a whole generation. When the television era dawned in the early 1950s, new programmes for children forged common links among Canadian children from coast to coast, and characters such as the Friendly Giant, Fanfreluche, Bobino and Mr. Dressup became cultural icons. Today, it is no exaggeration to say that this classic children’s programming has become part of our cultural heritage, having influenced the lives, values and imaginations of several generations of Canadians.

Today’s children will also find their favourite programmes represented in Show and Tell, with artifacts and segments from more recent programmes such as Sesame Park, Bouldogue Bazar, Vazimolo and Under the Umbrella Tree. Show and Tell: Growing Up Canadian is an exhibition that is sure to bring pleasure to all age groups and make for a special outing for the whole family.

OPENING WEEKEND SPECIAL ACTIVITIES

Saturday, November 3 and Sunday, November 4 are special days at the Canadian Children’s Museum, with special activities planned for the whole family to celebrate the opening of Show and Tell: Growing Up Canadian.

Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Children’s favourite characters Franklin, Rolie Polie Olie, Clifford and Noddy will roam the Canadian Children’s Museum meeting and playing with visitors.

Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Kids can meet Alyson Court, the host of CBC’s hit programme Get Set for Life.

Saturday and Sunday at 1:00 p.m.

Puppeteer Diane Bouchard will give a bilingual marionette workshop.

Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Kids can also meet television celebrity Stephanie from the popular Radio-Canada programme, Les Chatouilles.

Sunday at 11:00 a.m.

Rag and Bone Puppet Theatre will perform a special show for young school-aged children called Felicity Falls.

Sunday at 1:00 p.m.

Children can get pointers on how to use marionettes from John Nolan of the Rag and Bone Puppet Theatre troupe.

For more information, the public can call (819) 776-7001 or 1-800-555-5621

N.B. Images are available online on the Media FTP Site of the Canadian Museum of Civilization at the following address: /lands_e.htm