2023: Winnie-the-Pooh
North Theatre presented an original theatrical adaptation of A.A. Milne’s beloved novel “Winnie-the-Pooh” May 4-7 in the Appleton North High School auditorium. This stage version was written by North theatre students from the classic work utilizing the author’s own words and descriptions to create the script.
North Theatre director Ron Parker stated, “On Jan. 1, 2022, numerous authors’ works entered the public domain, including A. A. Milne’s original ‘Winnie-the Pooh’ stories. According to US copyright law, anyone is now able to republish or creatively adapt any work published on or before 1926. It is important to note that the ability to adapt the beloved characters and story applies only to Milne’s original 1926 book where Pooh, Christopher Robin and many of the inhabitants of the Hundred Acre Wood were first introduced to the world. Any additional characters or storylines which came out in subsequent books (such as Tigger who first appeared in the 1928 book The House at Pooh Corner) are still under copyright. In addition, any aspects of the Pooh universe which were added by Disney such as Pooh’s red shirt or songs created for the animated films are off limits since rights to those are exclusively the property of the Disney corporation.”
“For many today, if not most, when the world of Winnie-the-Pooh is mentioned, it is the version created by Walt Disney which comes to mind,” added Parker. “We have the opportunity with our original adaptation of Milne’s 1926 book to share the real characters and stories as they were first conceived and presented. The author’s voice–his wit, style, and intentions– will finally be given their proper and pure treatment, able to charm and entrance us as only a master storyteller can. The result is, we believe, one of the most authentic and definitive dramatic renditions of Milne’s original novel available. This is definitely a Winnie-the-Pooh you have never seen before! We’re very excited to bring the world-premiere of this original play adaptation to the stage!”
The impact and popularity of Milne’s story of the inhabitants of the Hundred Acre Wood and the honey-loving bear of “very little brain” has continued to grow over the years. “Winnie-the-Pooh” has evolved into more than an iconic tale for children, and has become a source of life-lessons and insight for all ages as seen in popular works such as “The Tao of Pooh” and “The Te of Piglet.
North’s original theatrical adaptation of Milne’s masterpiece featured a talented cast, an original score by British composer Jay Chakravorty, a set design inspired by the original novel’s illustrations by E.H. Shepard, innovative theatrical staging, and audience members seated directly upon the stage in a “studio environment” to make them part of the action and storytelling.
