Based on the 1976 Kaleidoscope Production
Directed and Adapted by BARBARA POGGEMILLER
A theatrical adventure for young audiences using poetry, music, and movement to explore the wonder of nature, sound, and colour in an exuberant theatrical celebration!
In the Garden in the backyard
Every leaf is growing green
There are butterflies and great big bugs
And little bugs that cannot be seen.
We’ve dug deep into the Kaleidoscope Archives to bring back our internationally acclaimed and beloved production of The AlliHippoRhinoCrocodiligator! A theatrical adventure for young audiences using poetry, music, and movement to explore the wonder of nature, sound, and colour in an exuberant theatrical celebration. Join us for an exciting adventure full of laughter, fun and music! Journey from our very own backyard to the seashore in this high energy original musical that celebrates the wonders of the world around us. You’ll be singing and dancing along in no time! Fun for the Whole Family!
Tickets and Passes Now On Sale
Get Directions to the Roxy Theatre
The AlliHippoRhinoCrocodilligator is based on the original 1976 Kaleidoscope production and the 1978 Kaleidoscope Album of the same title featuring original and found material by Elizabeth Gorrie and actor/creators Danny Costain, Paul Liittich, Ralph Cole and Barbara Poggemiller.
Pajama Party Night – 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!)
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.
Listen to Songs from Our 1978 Cast Recording
*All Kaleidoscope productions are created, managed, presented, and performed by adult professionals.
Born and raised in Mexico, Andrea’s love for performing arts began at a very early age. She graduated from the National Ballet School of Cuba “Fernando Alonso” and later from the Canadian College of Performing Arts. Andrea has been performing with theatre companies in Victoria and is part of the Kaleidoscope Theatre for Young People’s faculty of teaching artists. Some performance credits include: The Guardsman, Ride the Cyclone (Blue Bridge Theatre), 1002 Nights (Story Theatre), It’ll Come to Me (Theatre Skam), Countess Maritza, Flight (POV), The Rocky Horror Show, Mind the Gap, Pandemonium (Atomic Vaudeville).
A salty broad from Newfoundland, Sass Murphy is now based out of Lekwungen Territory, BC, as an actor, singer, dancer, playwright, choreographer, emcee, and loveable weirdo! They are the co-founder and artistic director of Salty Broad Productions, a local theatre company dedicated to producing innovative works that foster community and connection. Selected credits include: The Last Frontier (Workshop), Wretched Woman, GRL PWR (Salty Broad Productions), Rocky Horror Show (Atomic Vaudeville), 7eventy 7even, Ami Project (Theatre SKAM), Misery, Sweeney Todd (Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre). A multidisciplinary artist deeply passionate about community building and the transformative power of storytelling, Sass is thrilled to contribute to this homage to Kaleidoscope’s legendary 1976 production!
Barbara has worked as a director and actor with Centaur Theatre and Geordie Theatre, Montreal; Prairie Theatre Exchange, Winnipeg; Debajehmajig Theatre, Manitoulin Island; Globe Theatre, Regina; Carousel Players, St.Catherines; Young Peoples Theatre, Toronto; Theatre Calgary, Citadel Theatre, Edmonton. She has directed for the Victoria Shakespeare Society, taught and directed for Canadian College of Performing Arts, Victoria. Barbara has been involved over many decades with Kaleidoscope Theatre as an actor and part of the creative team who, under the direction and vision of Elizabeth Gorrie, developed many original pieces and many adaptations of stories and myth. She is thrilled to be working with this new, dynamic team of artists to recreate this piece. She is so grateful for all the artists that have contributed over all the years to the process of making theatre for young audiences vital, delightful and thought provoking. “For my beloved Grandchildren, this one’s for you!!”
Emma Dickerson (they/them) is a lighting designer living uninvited on the unceded territories of the lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples. Emma has enjoyed focusing on design for contemporary dance, improv, and contemporary performance due to the unique challenges these styles present. A key intention of their design work is to emphasize moments, emotions, and movements to further elevate storytelling by utilizing the visual movement created by light. Kaleidoscope Theatre audiences will recognize Emma’s work from shows like The House on Pooh Corner (2020), and Vivaldi’s Ring of Mystery (2019). Recent credits include: Mythos by Paper Street Theatre (2024), Chairo:Scuro by Broken Rhythms (2023), Fiddler on the Roof produced by Saint Michaels University School (2023), Gruff by Puente Theatre (presented by Carousel Theatre for Young People, 2022), Bury the Hatchet Directed by Lindsay Delaronde (2022), 1,000 Pieces of Pi by Broken Rhythms (2022, 2021).
Taylor is thrilled to be back at Kaleidoscope Theatre for Young People for The AlliHippoRhinoCrocodilligator. Taylor is a proud graduate of the Technical Theatre program at Capilano University. They have previously worked on Snow White (Carousel Theatre for Young People), God Said This (Pacific Theatre), Oz (Carousel Theatre and Kaleidoscope Theatre), Instantaneous Blue (Mitch and Murray), Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls (Carousel Theatre), Lights (Touchstone Theatre), and We the Same (Ruby Slippers Theatre).
Emily is a multidisciplinary designer, artist, and maker as well as a graduate of the University of Victoria theatre program. It is a pleasure for her to be making working with Kaleidoscope Theatre for Young People again. Select design credits include: production design for: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe (Kaleidoscope Theatre for Young People), costume design for Snow White (Carousel Theatre for Young People), The Mixolydian (Green Thumb Theatre), Kindred (Belfry Theatre), Metamorphoses (Studio 58), The Last Five Years, Ride The Cyclone, Salt Water Moon (BlueBridge Repertory Theatre), Othello (UVic Phoenix Theatre) and Set design- It’s Just Black Hair (Staging Equality) and The Children’s Hour (UVic Phoenix Theatre). For more information about her and her work go to emilyfriesen-theatredesigner.com/
With great excitement and heartfelt enthusiasm, we revisit the acclaimed production The AlliHippoRhinoCrocodilligator for Kaleidoscope Theatre's 50th Anniversary Season. As we delved into our archives, it became evident that this beloved and internationally acclaimed production perfectly still embodies the spirit of our theatre to this day. From its inception on the Kaleidoscope stage in 1976, this theatrical masterpiece has delighted audiences with its enchanting play-acting, clever wordplay, and sheer exuberance.
The AlliHippoRhinoCrocodilligator is not merely a performance; it is a celebration of the wonders of art and imagination. Through poetry, music, and vibrant visual imagery, this captivating play invites audiences of all ages to explore the magic of words, sounds, and colors. With laughter, music, and pure joy, we promise an unforgettable journey, igniting the hearts of both the young and the young-at-heart. Join us in this extraordinary adventure, as we pay homage to our organization's history and share the splendour of The AlliHippoRhinoCrocodiligator with you in a truly unforgettable experience.
- Pat Rundell
Executive & Artistic Director
