Trent Arterberry is pleased to present the Victoria premiere of his new one-man show, The Secret Life of Walter Manny, at the Victoria Fringe Festival in August. In this energetic physical comedy, Arterberry delves into the wild imagination of an awkward eight-year old boy who is having trouble fitting in and being understood by his family and friends. Arterberry explores classic themes, such as alienation and acceptance, to which both children and adults will relate.
Using movement and dialogue, the play blends five speaking characters with eight mimed adventures. Ostracized by his classmates, Walter escapes into high-octane reveries of racecar driving, firefighting and secret-agent spying. When a fire threatens the classroom, Walter must use his imaginative skills to save his best friend’s life.
Arterberry has already taken the performance into schools for children to enjoy. Marilyn Bancks, principal of Marysville Elementary in Kimberley, B.C., found the performance of much value to her students, stating, “The story of Walter Manny is the story of many children — how to rein in your imagination, and use it when needed. It also brings in bullies and bullying — how it makes a person feel, why some kids escape through their imaginations and how if feels to be accepted.”
Audiences will be able to enjoy Arterberry’s performance at Langham Court Theatre (805 Langham Court, Victoria). The show opens August 23 at 2:30 p.m. and continues on Aug 24 at 6 p.m.; Aug 25 and 29 at 11 a.m.; Aug 30 at 12:45 p.m.; and Aug 31 at 2:30 p.m.. No fringe button required for tickets. Tickets are available at Ticket Rocket, phone 250-590-6291 or online at victoriafringe.com.
After training with performance masters such as the famed Marcel Marceau, Trent Arterberry went on to earn rave reviews and distinctions for his work. He has also embraced the opportunity to open for numerous major recording artists such as B.B. King, Julio Iglesias and the rock band, The Kinks. In 1998, Arterberry’s Mime Out Loud won a Victoria “Pick of the Fringe” award for “Best Local Production.”
The American-born Arterberry now happily calls Sooke home, where he lives with his wife and six-year old son, Nate, who continues to inspire him with the powers of imagination.
For more information visit Trent’s website at trentshow.com/walter.