A New Play By JAKOB KOPYTKO
Based on the Story by HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN
Directed by PAT RUNDELL
In Association with Project X Theatre
Step into a world of fairies, toads, and tall-tale adventure—where even the smallest can make the biggest difference.
Tiny Thumbelina has always felt out of place in her mother’s big, protective world—until she discovers a secret: somewhere out there are others just like her… fairies! But her search for belonging takes an unexpected turn when she’s swept into the heart of an age-old feud between the Fairies and the Toads. Suddenly, Thumbelina becomes the prize in a dangerous game of bargaining and power.
Armed with nothing but her courage, quick wit, and a surprising knack for swordplay, Thumbelina must navigate the dangerous swamp, outsmart her captors, and discover the true strength within herself.
Playful, adventurous, and full of heart, Thumbelina is a rollicking tale where the smallest among us can prove to be the bravest of all.
A Holiday Treat for the Whole Family!
Show Resources
Cast and Creative
*All Kaleidoscope productions are created, managed, presented, and performed by adult professionals.
Pajama Party – Dress the kids (and maybe yourself!) in their favourite jammies, and come on down to the theatre for the ultimate bedtime story with Kaleidoscope and our special Pajama Party evening show. (Pajamas optional but highly encouraged!)
After School Special – Remember racing home from school to watch your favourite TV show? Now you can relive the thrill of childhood nostalgia with our ‘After School Special”. Bring the kids after school, grab your seats and enjoy a complimentary snack (while supplies last), for the ultimate LIVE experience.
Are you a School Group? Visit our Educator Page to book tickets for our special day-time School Matinee program, or contact our Education Department for all the details.
For Kaleidoscope: Selected directing includes The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, The Addams Family, Singin’ in the Rain, and Pinkalicious. On stage in Gruff, The Hobbit, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (2003), Peter Pan, Anne of Green Gables, Amadeus (and more). Other Theatre: Selected Directing includes The Neverending Story, Mean Girls (Theatre Orangeville, Ontario), Thumbelina (Project X Theatre, Kamloops), A Christmas Story, 9 to 5 (VOS), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (LCT), Dog Sees God (Black Box), Marie Antoinette: The Color of Flesh, Nevermore, Into the Woods, Peter Pan, and Treasure Island (Urban Arts). Other: Pat is the Executive & Artistic Director for Kaleidoscope Theatre for Young People, and serves on the boards for the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres, and the Professional Arts Alliance of Greater Victoria. patrundell.ca
There’s a special kind of magic that happens when we gather to share a story. Something handmade with care, crafted in real time, and shared face to face. In a world so often filtered through screens, that kind of connection feels more vital than ever, and it’s exactly the kind of magic that audiences can expect with Thumbelina.
What drew me to Jakob Kopytko’s adaptation is its spirit. It feels like a tall tale—full of mischief, music, and a touch of dustbowl grit—but underneath the playfulness lies something tender and deeply human. At its heart, Thumbelina is a story about resilience. It’s about holding onto who you are, even when the world tries to tell you otherwise. That quiet bravery, the kind that comes from staying true to yourself, is something I believe we all need to be reminded of.
I chose this story because it invites us to be curious, to imagine boldly, and to trust in our own voices. It’s a reminder that courage doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful. Our hope is that audiences—whether big or small, young or not-so-young—leave this play with a renewed sense of wonder, and perhaps a little more confidence in the strength of their own hearts.
This production had its world premiere in Kamloops at Project X Theatre earlier this year. I’m thrilled to share it now with Victoria audiences, and grateful that you are here to experience it with us.
- Pat Rundell
Executive & Artistic Director
