New Book "Billy Beware!" with Audio CD
Now available to purchase with the Play, or as an Online Storytelling Presentation.

Friday 15 March 2024

DRAMA WORKSHOPS

 Our colourful brochure depicts our scripted productions, and is there for all to see. However, we offer much more than that.

 Very often we are requested to follow up a play with one or more workshops with the aim of enforcing the lesson learned, and affording the opportunity to engage in some action from the performance.

 Here is a brief summary of how it works:

 Initially, we gather the children in a large circle and introduce ourselves. The children have the opportunity to do likewise preferably with a loud voice and interesting movement.

By means of a brief period of theatre games in the style of the play they have seen, they are warmed up, body, mind and voice, and then randomly divided into mixed groups of 3, 4 or 5.

Each group is provided with a storyboard sheet depicting characters, time, place, event, etc. so that from the options provided, or from their own ideas, they may choose an episode from the play that they will enact.

Our actors encourage and assist and give help in rehearsing the chosen 2/3 minutes performances.

Each group then performs its piece to the rest of the class, and are given praise/advice by the actors.

We believe our Drama Workshops do much to add impact to the performance they have seen and, most importantly, contribute in developing and encouraging social intercourse.

Apart from the workshops associated with our plays, we have created a large portfolio on numerous subjects which is constantly growing. Ideas on these are shown in our SPECIAL OFFERS.

 Next time I will tell you about our popular scripted plays for the juniors.

 PS Invariably the kids love the death scenes but, fortunately, not all end up dead.

 


Best wishes, and stay bright,

Albert…..

Saturday 17 February 2024

STILL WITH THE NURSERY AND INFANTS

My recent writings have concentrated on important messages for the young ones; “The Gingerbread Man” (be happy with your lot); “The Hare & the Tortoise”, (the value of true friendship) and “Billy Beware!” (be aware to the dangers in the home and elsewhere).

I will mention just one more equally important production’

“NOT SUCH AN UGLY DUCKLING”

I suspect at some stage in our lives we have all been subjected to bullying. Perhaps we have inflicted it on others.

Our play makes it very clear that bullying will not be tolerated, and we believe it is important that this message is delivered at an early age before it becomes a problem.

With the use of two four-foot puppets and the skill of our actors, we demonstrate in a serious but fun-filled way how bullying is wrong, and that being different is acceptable.

As one of our most recent additions, we are pleased that it is proving popular not only with schools, but also libraries, play groups, children’s centres, local institutions and public bodies.

It is truly a splendid production and the children are mesmerised when the ugly duckling transforms into a beautiful swan on stage.

I urge you to visit it on our website.

As I leave you, here are some shots from the show.

Albert….








Monday 15 January 2024

A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR THE LITTLE ONES

 Please forgive me if you think I am putting too much effort in promoting shows for the toddlers.

 BUT, from our experience I know that come Christmas they are often left behind because they are considered too young to be taken to the theatre. 

 SO, our theatre comes to them.

 I have said enough about “THE GINGERBREAD MAN”, but close on his heels comes

                                               







 “THE HARE & THE TORTOISE”

 I have to tell you that this is our actors’ most popular show. It’s all about friendship, and what can be more important when growing up and meeting new people.

 Of course, it does not start off that way. No indeed, as we have a very well-mannered tortoise and a very bad-mannered hare. That is until the race proves to be more than just an equaliser.

 Since you all know how it ends, I will just add that songs, music, humour, fun and games and much participation make this a joy for the kids, and parents too.

 The show is performed throughout the year but, do remember if you are seeking a Christmas booking, we do become inundated as December approaches, so please get in touch as early as possible.

 As always, some pictures from the show to savour,

 Until I next write, Albert……..

                                                                               

Sunday 17 December 2023

CARING FOR THE YOUNG ONES

I guess everyone is familiar with the classic W C Fields comment

never work with children and dogs”.

Well, we do all the time, with children anyway. Yes, they may steel the limelight, but the wonderful expressions on their faces when they are absorbed by what they are witnessing more than compensates.

One incident I will never forget was during our performance of “The Gingerbread Man” to a nursery group. Midway into the play the Gingerbread Man says he is hungry and desperate for something to eat. “Why don’t you eat yourself” a bright four-year-old calls out. I defy any actor not to corpse at that one.

Since I have started with Gingerbread Man or “GINGER” as he is affectionately known, I will stick with him.

Of course, to the echo of his famous rhyme, he is forever running away to find a better home. He meets many interesting characters, not all as friendly as he would wish, and eventually outwits the cunning fox who we all know was intent on eating him but, importantly, he makes it back home safe and sound.

So, there you have it, “BE HAPPY WITH YOUR LOT”. As a Theatre in Education Company, we are delivering a strong message, albeit in a light-hearted, fun-filled way with stacks of humour, music, songs and audience participation.

Before you go, take a look at some pictures from the play,

Albert……










Friday 24 November 2023

KEEPING THE LITTLE ONES SAFE

A while back I said I would tell you more about what we have for the younger children. I was referring to Nursery, Reception and Key Stage One; those ranging from two to seven.

I seem to recall mentioning in the past that much is made of “ELF & SAFETY”, and that it mainly applied to adults and work places.

I firmly believe more attention is needed to protect the young ones from the dangers inherent in the home, the road and outdoors generally.

To this end, we have written a 55 minutes interactive play “BILLY BEWARE!”.

It is our eponymous hero’s 6th birthday and he manages to get himself in a right pickle with just about everything he tries to do.

Fortunately, his mother is there to help him, and he emerges unscathed from his various escapades.

Please take a look at the play under PRODUCTIONS where you will find a good deal of information, many pictures and commendations.

As with all our plays for the very young, there is much humour, songs, music and audience participation. But we never lose sight of the important message being conveyed.

Here are some sketches and pictures from the show.

Until next time,

Albert…..









Tuesday 31 October 2023

DOING OUR BIT

Here is an easy question.

What is in the news every day?

You got it.

“GLOBAL WARMING”

Since this is not just the flavour of the month, but something rather serious that should concern us all, Aesop’s Touring Theatre Company has produced a play for the primary age range vividly explaining the part we all can play in combating this threat.

Robin Hood Rescues the Forest

is a 75 minutes interactive play that tackles the need to protect the environment with strong messages delivered in a light-hearted, fun-filled way. Put simply, Prince John has decided to burn down Sherwood Forest to rid it finally of outlaws. Yes, he is quite mad, as the audience quickly point out, but that will not deter him.

All the legendary Robin Hood characters are portrayed in costume and the audience become part of the action, joining in with the humour, songs and music. Some lucky ones get to display their skills with a spot of Morris Dancing.

Bookings for this new production have exceeded our expectations. I urge you to get on board.

Until next time with more popular shows, some pictures from the production, Albert….







Monday 16 October 2023

MUCH MORE THAN JUST ENTERTAINMENT

Aesop’s Touring Theatre Company (ATTC) does not just entertain, it would be better described with the words “in education” inserted before Company if it were not too much to inscribe on the logo.

 Yes, of course we do entertain, as there is no better way to hold an audience than to keep them spellbound and alert, particularly the really young ones.

 BUT, the most important part of what we set out to achieve is assisting teachers in the learning process.

 Theatre in Education is a tool to be used skillfully. Every play we produce and every workshop we conduct has that vital element necessary to make the learning process both interesting and enjoyable.

 Our performances for the juniors are linked to the National Curriculum and, as such, fully researched for accuracy of content. For the nursery and infants there is always an important message, albeit delivered in a light-hearted, fun-filled way.

 Over the next few weeks, I will show examples of what we have in store for the Nursery, Infant and Junior age groups some of which may appeal to the young seniors but, until then some more pictures.

 Albert….