Watch this space

We have had a very difficult but truly enjoyable time auditioning new actors for the next school year starting in September.
Heather Wilson and Ellis Seamons are delighted to be joining us, and we are throwing them in at the deep end with an early performance of "The Gingerbread Man" on the 3rd August at the Southsea Show.
They are currently getting to grips with this play before launching into extensive rehearsal schedules for the other eight productions.
Shortly their own blogs will be appearing on the website, and my readers will soon be treated to a glimpse of their portraits.
Bookings are now coming in for the children's Christmas treats: so do book early to avoid disappointment.
"The Story of Aesop's Fables" for the whole primary range, and "The Adventures of the Gingerbread Man" for the nursery and infants are always favourites for the festive season.

A couple of photos here to whet your appetites.
Back soon,
Albert 

EASTER CAME AND WENT

Well done if you managed to stay dry and warm. Our poor little Gingerbread Man nearly froze to death at a seaside theatre. It was so blustery we had to wrap him in a blanket. Mind you, he ran faster than he has ever run before just to keep warm! Now the sun has finally arrived, albeit intermitently, we will be seeing more beheadings as Henry VIII goes through his list of unsuspecting children at numerous schools in the months ahead.
One of the rewarding aspects from speaking with our actors is the variety in performing different plays. "It is never boring!" is often one of the comments made by our dedicated team.
Well, that's good to know;  as a writer and actor myself, I often think how lucky we are having ten plays available whereas, for example, some actors perform only one play every day in the West End for a year. Our work certainly keeps the actors fresh and on their toes. I have no doubt about that, and you never know how the children will react either. In our experience, kids are very honest and let you know exactly what they are thinking!

As, in the words of the great man himself, W.C. Fields;  "Never work with animals or children."

Of course, he has a point! I commend those actors and entertainers who do work with children for they will reap many rewards for their trials and tribulations, as do we with our own plays and workshops.

In conclusion, our actors have the best of both worlds; the traditional repertory style of live theatre where they learn many different plays and perform them ad hoc and the challenge of working with younger and older children with the improvisational and instinctive demands this represents.

With thanks to Karen for much of this input,

Until the next time,

Albert

 

She brightened our week

Paula Evans, a student at The University of Cumbria studying musical theatre and drama, joined us for a week's work experience last Sunday.
She travelled south from her home in Bolton, and  I had the pleasure of meeting her with her mum at Clevelands Guest House where she was to stay for the week.
As Paula was to be joining the actors with some very early morning starts, I eased her in gently on her first day in the office learning about the business.
Bonnie, our shih tzu, took to her immediately, so a good deal of learning was done whilst walking the dog.
During the next three days Paula accompanied the actors to schools in London and the Home Counties, and saw seven performances of four different plays, including "The Gingerbread Man" on which she wrote an interesting and useful review. She paid particular attention to the suitability for the intended ages ranging from two to seven, the ability of the actors in holding the attention of some very young audiences for fifty minutes, and the benefit derived from the theme of the play. All in all, I think we passed!
I am sure Paula enjoyed her time with "Aesop's Theatre", and I know we all loved having her with us.
This is what she wrote:-
"When I was given the chance to go on work experience with Aesop's Touring Theatre Company" I never thought I would be given the fantastic opportunity to get so involved, and feel part of the team.
I have learnt so much in such a short time, and have met some extraordinary and wonderful people along the way.
I have really enjoyed my time here, and feel it has been most beneficial in giving me the experience I needed and wanted, and hope I will get the amazing opportunity to work with them again in the near future.
Last, but not least, I would like to say a huge thank you to Albert  and Karen Brooks for accepting me, and to the other actors for making my time with "Aesop's" so enjoyable."
Thanks again Paula.
Bye for now,
Albert

Happy New Year

I am keeping my fingers crossed and fervently praying it will not happen this year. Just take a look at the picture and you will see what I am on about.
We travel over 30,000 miles every year to bring live theatre to schools and many other venues: as far north as Leeds, Sheffield and Manchester, and on occasion for a 9.15 start.
You do not want to know the time we get up to achieve this, but trust me you are all warmly tucked up in bed.
So far, so good, we have survived November and December and, if you can believe the pundits, January is looking okay. We shall see!
Enough about the problems, let us look on the bright side. Talking of which, we have already started taking a good many bookings for 2013, including a couple of early birthday parties.
Last year, the obsessions were quite understandably the Diamond Jubilee and the Olympic Games. I am sure this year will see a return to mainstream education and, if I am correct, we have all the plays and workshops lined up.
Don't forget, in addition to our substantial repertoire of established productions, we are also offering "themed" workshops of your choosing. Just give us a call or send an email saying what you are seeking, and I will happily create a package to suit you.
Enough of the sales pitch.
Until next time stay warm,
Albert


  

A LONG HALF TERM

Is it my imagination, or has this recess really spread over three weeks - from the third week in October to the second week in November?
I guess staggering the break helps with traffic flow and it gives us a chance to take a break; that is when we are not busy with children's centres, parties and theatres - not really a break at all.
Anyway, now for the onslaught in the run up to Christmas.
For those of you taken by surprise that it comes at the end of December, we do still have a couple of slots available, but do hurry.
November is looking fairly full, but for those who cannot fit in in December, do try us for this month.
Our most recent production "TIMELINE" is enjoying a good run, and we are conducting a number of Drama Workshops based on excerpts from it. These are particularly attractive in isolation to those suffering budget cuts.
Do take a look at a couple of the photos from it while I pop out to put the kettle on.
I will be back soon,
Albert

Full steam ahead

Well that's summer pretty well done, such as it was!

I guess I should not complain really as we managed a great couple of weeks touring Europe, including a trip on the Rhine, and meeting some American friends in Tuscany.

We also managed a few bookings to help fill the coffers after such a long break.

In fact, yesterday and today we were booked for afternoon performances of "The Gingerbread Man"at London Zoo. You still have time for today's 2.00 p.m. or 4.30 p.m. shows.

I don't think I told you about Stephie pictured here. I have mentioned in the past that we occasionally take work experience placements. Stephanie Cole was the most recent. She joined us for the first week in July to cheer us up during the miserable weather. And a really fine job she made of it too, bright as a button and always happy and smiling. We were truly sorry to say goodbye, and wish her every success if she pursues her dream as an actress. I will watch out for her name in lights. 

Inset day tomorrow at many schools, so I shall be expecting the phone to "melt"

The desk is cleared and we are ready to fill up the rest of the Autumn term.

Until the next time,

Stay warm,

Albert