If you are looking for something fun to do this week with the kids, check out the production of October’s Quest at South Carolina Children’s Theatre. The outdoor production is organized with both health and safety precautions and wiggly young children in mind. Kidding Around’s India brought her family to check out the show. Here’s her review and information on how you can get tickets for this fun family event complete with a candy sweet treat perfect for Halloween week.
2020 has been a real doozy, eh? While this year has been full of many challenges, it has sparked everyone to get creative and that is what the South Carolina Children’s Theatre (SCCT) does best! That was fully evident in their delightful production of October’s Quest. During this interactive outdoor production, kids will engage with and laugh along with a fun cast of characters. Adults will enjoy themes that I am sure we’ve all thought about over the past year.
Special thanks are extended to SCCT for providing tickets so we could review the show for readers.
About October’s Quest
October’s Quest is an original production, written and directed by SCCT’s Co-Artistic/Education Director Betsy Bisson. Like most artists and creators, our friends at SCCT were eager to get back on the stage, but wanted to do so in a way that is safe for the community. So, they flexed their creative muscles and came up with this fun outdoor production that encourages kids to wiggle and move. Four performance scenes are set around the area outside of SCCT’s new facility on Augusta Street, which opened in June. Families journey from scene-to-scene following fairy princess October on her quest to find her purpose.
October loves the magic of being a fairy, but does not enjoy the spectacle of being a princess. She acknowledges that “life would be easier if we could just Google” the answers to life’s hard questions, but takes comfort in doing the hard work of finding her purpose by bringing her friends (the audience) along on her journey. On this journey, October meets an interesting cast of characters that impart important life lessons. For example, at the cave of an old wise woman, October is reminded to be okay with the unknown and to look on the inside to discover her special gifts. Other friends met along the journey include dragons (who love tacos), a trio of cranky pirates, and October’s mother. Through her adventures, October learns that there is joy in helping others–even when they don’t look like you; that being kind is better than being mean; and that it’s okay to trust your instincts and find the answers to life’s hard questions within.
October’s Quest Sparks Laughter & Joy
While precautions around COVID-19 might be a drag sometimes, in this case, it allowed SCCT to create a really fun, interactive and intimate experience. Because the production is outdoors and audience sizes are intentionally small, kids easily interact, laugh, dance, wiggle, and just have fun!
Upon arrival, families are met with a bunch of bubbles and sidewalk chalk to play with prior to the play’s start. Then, the small audience (of no more than 15) follows October on her quest across small performance areas set up around the exterior of the SCCT building. My 3-year old daughter *loved* the appearance of the silly dragons from the popular kids’ book Dragons Love Tacos and my 6-year old son laughed heartily at the pirates’ “poop deck” and “pirate’s booty” jokes. At the end of the performance, kids flocked to greet October and the cast of characters, as well as chase and dance among bubbles. Of course, they also really enjoyed the “sweet reward” of a small bag of candy that October shares with her quest-mates.
My husband and I appreciated the thought-provoking themes and being able to watch our kids relish something outside of our routine. (And, really, don’t we all love a bubble machine?!)
Know Before You Go
The last time my family attended a SCCT production was in March. We saw the production of Amazing Grace, which did not have its full run thanks to the COVID-19 shutdown in mid-March. Returning to SCCT for this inaugural post-COVID production was a real treat for all of us! The team at SCCT did a really great job of creating a space that was interactive and fun for the kids, while also allowing families to feel safe and comfortable.
Guests over the age of 3 are required to wear a mask. Performers also wear masks, but with clear panels that allow us to see their facial expressions. There is also plenty of space between chairs and the stage, easily allowing for social distancing.
Because this is an outdoor production, be sure to dress for the weather. It was unseasonably warm when we attended. Consider bringing an umbrella to use for shade cover. In case of rain, SCCT does have a rain plan that will keep everyone dry and comfortable!
Who is October’s Quest for?
October’s Quest, with a run time of about 25 minutes, moves quickly and keeps kids engaged. The target audience is for families with kids aged 3-6.
Want to Go?
Six performances of October’s Quest remain:
- Friday, October 30th at 4:30 pm
- Friday, October 30th at 5:30 pm
- Friday, October 30th at 6:30 pm
- Saturday, October 31st at 9:30 am
- Saturday, October 31st at 10:30 am
- Saturday, October 31st at 11:30 am
Tickets are priced at $11 each. You can purchase tickets on-line.
Has your family been to an SCCT production? Which has been your favorite?
