Once Upon a Toy Shop LP Entertainment Presents | Page 4

“How did I deal with it?! I wrote about it. I wrote the stories. I keep
writing the stories. I didn’t judge or hate people... well not for long
anyway. I always knew I was better than that and that deep down in
my heart I was a GOOD person, no matter what people made me out to
be. I believed in me. It was a tedious, lonely process... sometimes still
is. But it never made me quit. I found the good and LIVED there!”
The story Persad has written this year is Once Upon A Toy Shop: “It’s
an exciting new adventure, set in a toy shop where a wicked witch is
planning to get rid of all the toys. The play focuses on bullying and
friendships. The characters (Toy Soldier, Drake the Dragon, Jack in
the Box, Monkey and others) will try to find this Witch to destroy her
before she finds them first. This is until they find out the real reason
behind her evil ways.”
The story is a clever blend of poetry, music, comedy and conflict
resolution. Its interactive platform makes it engaging. The
costumes, designed by Fabrice Barker, add just the right touch
of magic. The audience will find themselves mesmerized by this
whimsical adventure.
Persad has found a way to open the dialogue about bullying without
being preachy or invasive. It is an invitation to explore the issue
from a different angle and to join the conversation in a safe space.
“For me it is not enough to post a Facebook status to highlight this
problem or any problem. Everyone agrees there is a problem. But
what is the solution? It’s not enough to talk. We have to get up and
DO something. This is me doing something. I am an artist, producer,
and writer. This is how I give back...not hoping to change minds but
to spark interests and to allow others to see different perspectives.”
Watch as the toy shop comes to life on July 28th, 29th and 30th
at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. daily at the Learning Resource Center UWI in
St. Augustine. Advance tickets are $60. Discounts apply for groups
of twenty-five or more.

Contact LP Entertainment at 729-4523 or 362-2838
for more information and bookings.

ONCE UPON A TOY SHOP

An LP Entertainment Prod uction
Written and Directed by Lylah Persad