AFTER HALF TERM

Where has the year gone? It seems like only yesterday we were basking in the sun and it is now November. Fortunately, the mild weather has not deserted us, although the warning signs for a cold winter are clearly visible: lots of acorns for the squirrels and red berries for the birds. Here at ATTC there is no reason to panic. Our snow shoes are at the ready and our winter tyres are on standby. We have lots of exciting shows on offer for Christmas so the schools need to start spending the money they have accumulated before they are assessed in the next budget review. Do any of you require assistance with your own Christmas production? Remember, we specialise in creating new shows so look no further if you would like some fresh ideas, or you wish to update your stock of plays. I am off now to help a local school that is struggling for new ideas but, fear not, I shall return ere long. Albert......

Just remembered I have to prepare the chicken for supper!

NOT LONG NOW

If the shops and stores are anything to go by, Christmas is already upon us. We have been hearing "shop early for Xmas" since we were babes in arms, but every year the message comes sooner. Of course, the retail trade like just about avery other is suffering, but I somehow cannot believe reminding everyone that Christmas is just around the corner will help during the current financial crisis. There is a glimpse of hope on the horizon for Theatre in Education though. Since schools are desperate for teachers, and they make up the highest percentage of cost, there is money in the kitty to be spent elsewhere. And, what better than having live educational theatre at the school. It is just pure common sense. Save on trips to the theatre. After all, the coaches alone cost more than a visit by a touring theatre company. And then there is the hassle of organising supervision for the students. The days of one teacher at each end of the "crocodile" are long gone. Health and safety requires more supervisers, and don't think they will get in free. Those days are gone too. So, it all comes back to common sense. Invite us to help educate and entertain the kids at a fraction of the cost you would spend going out and be relaxed in the knowledge they are learning in a safe environment and enjoying it. What more is there to say!!! Well, you can look at some more pictures and, until next time, farewell, Albert......

COMING SOON

We always try to stay ahead of the market and meet new requirements. Whilst we conduct Drama Workshops on just about any subject, we realise thst quite often more impetus is required to press home important messages, and this is best achieved by a live stage production. Folowing the unfortunate handling of the Covid crisis and the lessons learned from mistakenly closing schools, many school children have and are suffering stress from the breakdown in socialising. Some have even suffered mental illness. We have decided that whilst our P.H.S.E. Drama Workshops go some way in helping, more is needed and, for that reason, we are shortly to introduce a new play for the primary age range to help build resilience and combat feelings of anxiety and inadequacy. When ready, it will be launched through our website so, watch this space. That's all for now. Enjoy some pictures.

Albert......

BACK TO SCHOOLS

Summer came and went and now back to work in ernest. Workshops are becoming ever more popular and we have created a huge database to meet most requirements. At this poinet I need to pause and reflect on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.......... ..................................................................................................... Suddenly we are inundated with requests for something with a Royal flavour. Of course, we have "Henry VIII", my all time favourite, with just two actors portraying 15 different characters with a myriad of costumes and props. Also, we have a devised an interactive Workshop entitled "20th Century Monarchs" and that is now in heavy demand With the Christnas season fast approaching, we are dusting down our "Gingerbread Man" as this is a pantomime with a diference and the kids just love it. If you don't want to miss out, get emailing and phoning so we may book you in. I must now deal with the current enquiries and leave you with some pictures fro "our Enery" Until next time, Albert...

SUMMER IS FAST FADING

Well! We should not be complaining about the weather this year. The hotest July and probably August in most people's memories. Here at ATTC we were able to perform a number of outdoor shows with good size audiences. We even had the pleasure of the Lady Mayor of Sevenoaks attend on a couple of occaasions to the delight of our Gingerbread Man. Our environmental play "Robin Hood Rescues the Forest" was perfect for peforming outdoors in readily created settings. We will soon be packing away the gazebo as we prepare for a full season of performances in school halls. But, if the warm weather continues, hopefully, some of them will be on school fields and in playgrounds. As another string to our bow, we assist schools with their own Christmas productions, and it is a true delight seeing the excitement and devotion as progress is made towards the real live performances by the children. After the disruption to education over the past couple of years we hope the recognition of the value of Theatre in Education has not been lost. I expect the next crises will be the cost of fuel to heat the schools during the winter months. I am always hearing about stretched budgets from head teachers and the impact that has on learning and in particular the arts. We can only hope the government will do more than pay lip service, and come up with some substantial financial help. Here at Aesop's Theatre we are keeping bright and cheery in anticipation of a full programme of performances during this fothcoming school year. Enough for now, Until next time......Albert.

READY FOR THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR

We performed our last play for this school year today and the kids in Bromley loved the Gingerbread Man. Actually, we are not quite finished yet as we are performing it again tomorrow afternoon for an SEN group in Surrey. After that, one or two August bookings before we have our annual break-not that it will be anything special this year, what with the problems travelling. Thankfully, we have nothing booked that can go wrong, and will most probably stick with the UK, fuel prices permitting! I shall keep my mobile close by as, from past experience, we tend to get a flurry of enquiries as the new school year approaches. I sometimes wonder if teachers are taken by surprise when they have to return to school. I certainly was as a school kid. Sadly, and in keeping with everything else, we have been obliged to increase our fees, albeit modestly and, as we have always promised, we will respond to cries for help where funding is tight. Enough about us, let's hear from you out there. Tell us through our contact page what is occuring in your neck of the woods. Or send me an email to info@aesopstheatre.co.uk or a text or call to 07836 731872. You may even access us through Facebook, Instagram or Twitter etc. We would dearly love to hear from you. That's it for now. Be back soon, Albert.....

INTERESTING TIMES!

It is not only about education.We can offer far more. For example, take the last couple of weeks. I Jubilee Celebration booking, a Peter Pan workshop and a Midsummer's Night fun adaptation for the little ones. All these came at once and we were busy writing scripts, devising scenes, creating characters and rehearsing lines. The aim was to ensure we gave our clients performances that would be remembered and acted out by the children many more times. All this and still we were conducting Drama Workshops and performing our Popular Plays. As we approach the end of the school year, we are ready for a surge in bookings now we are learning to live with Covid. I will be manning the phones and checking the emails to ensure nothing passes us by. Despite rising costs, particularly in travelling, we intend to remain competitive and will not be beaten on price or value. I will leave you now with a glimpse of waht we have achieved this month. Until next time, Albert....

WHERE HAVE I BEEN?

We had a monor hiccup. Not sure if you are aware, but something called COVID hit us badly. In fact, it can truly be said we earned a rather long holiday while schools were opening and shutting and everyone (apart from one person I need not name) was following ever more complex and misconstrued regulations and rulings. Fair to say, the country was in chaos. This said, however, Aesop's Touring Theatre Company was determined to keep going and that is what we did. Through thick and thin and with little financial help, we managed to keep our heads above water. Well, thankfully that is all now behind us and we are back in full swing. We have created many new Drama Workshops and with the Jubilee celebrations coming up, we are taking many bookings. 20th Century Monarchs is typical of the enquiries we have been receiving and this month has been our busiest since before the pandemic began. With the present emphasis on being "green" and protecting the environment, our ecological play "Robin Hood Rescues the Forest" has come to the fore. I will leave you now with some pictures from that production. Back with you soon, Albert.....