When it comes to developing something like The Philip & Lucinda Dino Show a show Fringe, Zita Nyarady says there’s a few simple rules.

“We create pieces that number one, feature what we love doing on stage. And, two, include what we like seeing in other shows.”

“Last year, we discovered that kids really enjoy our characters Philip and Lucinda so we decided to bring them back this time in a family friendly dinosaur adventure.”

Nyarady and her husband Myque Franz appeared at the PotashCorp Fringe Theatre Festival in 2016 with The Philip & Lucinda Show. The combination of circus arts and theatre was a hit with audiences. The duo is hoping bringing their characters back, will garner the same excitement from the younger set.

“Our characters are like the wackiest aunt and uncle you’ll ever meet,” Nyarady says.  “What works for any Fringe play is if you come from a really genuine place and make a connection with the audience. We want to prove that a KidsFringe show doesn’t have to be super “kiddie.”

The story follows Philip and Lucinda as they discover a book full of dinosaur facts and with the audience in tow, set out to discover more about the prehistoric creatures.

There’s plenty of action in this show as the actors weave music, juggling, acrobatics and audience participation. Both Nyarady and Franz trained at the Dell’arte International School of Physical Theatre and draw on that experience to create what she calls a “Dino-mite spectacle.”

There’s clearly a demand for more family performances at the PotashCorp Fringe Theatre Festival. This year organizers have added an extra spot for performers bringing the total up to four shows. Also, the performers now have their own dedicated venue at Grace-Westminster Church. Circus arts, magic, dance and shadow puppetry: there’s something in this year’s program for every taste.

Nyarady is excited about branching out into the KidsFringe.

“Start them young, we say. I feel like I benefitted from having an early exposure to theatre,” she says. “It opened up so many worlds for me and we hope this show will do the same for our audience.”

The Philip & Lucinda Dino-Show is not the only show the hard working pair is bringing to Saskatoon. They will also be performing in Szeretlek: A Hungarian Love Story, a more adult-themed show based on her grandmother’s love life in 1946 Hungary.

Kids Fringe 

August 3 – 12

Grace-Westminster Church – Lower

Tickets $15

Philip & Lucinda Dino-Show

Frog and Toad Are Not Friends and Never Will Be and This is Why

Imagination Station

MAGIC