Despite their critics, the stories Barbada reads during its public readings appeal to children.
The drag queen presented a first reading session in the Family Zone late Thursday afternoon as part of the 41st edition of the Just for Laughs festival. When he arrived, the Adirondack chairs on the floor were already mostly occupied, while a crowd gathered in the background as his presentation continued, attracted by his sequins and large, eccentric glasses.
MARIO BEAUREGARD / QMI AGENCY
In this lesson, Barbada read three stories that get children to open up to differences, including one about Fourchon, the hero of Kyo Maclear and Isabelle Arseneault’s eponymous literary work, who is neither a spoon nor a fork, but still has his place at the table.
Between stories, the drag queen would chat with the little ones on the mats in the front rows of the Family Zone, specifically the lessons learned and the differences that connect them. It also enabled short relaxation phases, which the parents were also happy to take part in.
MARIO BEAUREGARD / QMI AGENCY
His sense of humor and quick wit, which enabled him to quickly engage with the many attractions in the area, caused many laughs from the eldest and youngest as well.
At the very end of the performance, the children, who were paying attention and participating the whole time, rushed to the storyteller to hug her and have their picture taken with her. They could also browse the books they were familiar with.
MARIO BEAUREGARD / QMI AGENCY
Located in a rather quiet corner, where the tranquility is sometimes disturbed by Santa Claus, stilt musicians and an old lady in the rolling La-Z-Boy, the Family Zone, installed at De Maisonneuve behind the Beneva stage, offers this year numerous shows for children as well as a show for parents, Humor Pouch, presented every day at 18:15.
There are also scientific workshops, a climbing wall and trampolines.
Barbada will again present L’heure du conte on the Radio Canada stage in the Family Zone this weekend and Monday evening at 5pm.
For more information about the Family Zone, visit the Just for Laughs website.