TWO WEEKS INTO THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR

As the new school year is well under way, l will take this opportunity to remind everyone of the plays we have on offer:

NURSERY AND KEY STAGE ONE

"The Adventures of the Gingerbread Man": a reminder to be happy with what you have.  

"The Hare & the Tortoise": the value of true friendship.

"Not such an Ugly Duckling": bullying is very unkind, and will not be tolerated.

"Billy Beware!": awareness to danger in the house, garden, park and outdoors generally.

KEY STAGE TWO

“The Story of Aesop’s Fables” – Eight of the best-known fables performed by actors in half masks depicting animals to demonstrate the morals.

“Timeline” – English history from stone-age to the present day; with many important characters and events portrayed by one actor using numerous costumes and props.

“Henry VIII” – From the death of Henry Tudor to the death of Henry VIII; a play with 15 characters and an execution for good measure.

“Search for the Lost Tomb” – An expedition into the lives of the Ancient Egyptians with a mummification thrown in.

“World War II” – Follow the trials and tribulations of a typical working-class London family during the whole period of war-torn Britain.

“Robin Hood Rescues the Forest” – An environmental, ecological study with all the Robin Hood characters, and a touch of Morris Dancing.

Of course, nothing is set in stone, and we have performed some of the KS2 plays for young KS3 children.

Similarly, some of the older KS1 have enjoyed Aesop’s Fables.

The decision always rests with you, the teachers, but remember I am just an email or call away to assist.

AND

it does not end here. There are Drama Workshops galore and, if we do not have one in the cupboard, we will create it to suit your needs. 

Enough said, more pictures until next time, Albert….

 

 

Did I speak too soon!

The only safe prediction about the weather is that it is unpredictable. Glorious sunshine, all set and ready to go and guess what happened next. No, not rain, HAILSTONES the size of conkers, well nearly!!! Fortunately, there was a plan B, and we were able to shelter under a gazebo until the cloud moved on. Unperturbed, we were soon back outdoors and the weather remained fine for the rest of the performance.

 Enough of that. I need to tell you about the new addition to our string of workshops. As not everything has to be linked to the curriculum and the kids are allowed some fun and games, we have devised a new series of

 “ADVENTURE WORKSHOPS” 

These may be of our making or created from ideas the children have. We recently performed 

“THE MISSING DIAMOND”. 

Was it stolen, or merely mislaid? All the clues were there, and the children were led to separate the fact from the fiction. I have to say it was great fun for all when it re-appeared, as if by magic, and all were left wondering was it ever really missing!

 Just one example of what we have in store. More will follow. 

In the meantime, take a look at these……. Albert.

PHEW - ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

I mean the weather, not Aesop’s Theatre. I am sat here with a fan that is merely circulating hot air, and the temperature is almost off the thermometer. I seem to recall last time I was complaining that summer was never coming. How wrong could I be! Anyway, the heatwave has meant more schools are asking us to perform outdoors, hopefully in the shade, and we are loving it. It works rather well with Drama Workshops. The children are not limited with space, and the early warm-up exercises to energise the body and mind work well, We have added many new subjects to our already large portfolio of Drama Workshops. Very popular are the history events, Great Fire of London, and Plague have been much in demand recently. Transition workshops are also now in demand as we are reaching the end of the year sixes stay in the junior schools. We enjoy helping them understand the move from a family-oriented environment to one that will shape their future. We allay their fears of the unknown, and assure them they will not be alone. I have now reached boiling point and will leave you with some more pictures. Until next time, Albert…..

BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY WAS A SCORCHER

Finally, it is summer! How wonderful to be out in the open when we can. Particularly as we have so many shows that lend themselves perfectly to outdoor performances. None better than “Robin Hood Rescues the Forest” with our image of the MAJOR OAK in the background, and some trees for the woodcutter and the wicked sheriff’s men to fell. We recently entertained 30 or so nursery children with “The Hare & the Tortoise” in the outdoor play area, and conducted an “ANIMALS WORKSHOP” to round off the morning. Gingerbread Man prefers running on the grass than the hall floor, particularly as it is rather hot work keeping up with the children urging him on with the “run, run as fast as you can” song. Of course, there are challenges, especially when the wind gets up and our Lost Tomb fig tree has a mind to blow over, or our back drops act like sails. But hey, that is all part of the fun. Less so when the clouds open!! But let us not be gloomy, stay positive and when the opportunity presents itself, go for it. We are here to meet your every wish, inside or out. Until next time, some more pictures, Albert

EASTER CAME AND WENT

As time passes, I wonder if Easter is trying to outwit Christmas in the food stakes.

Endless Easter eggs, panettone, simnel, pannacotta et al in the food line fill the shelves.

Multiple choices and opportunities to expand our waistlines.

Well, never let it be said that Aesop’s Theatre missed out on such opportunities.

The advent of the Summer Term brings with it substantial savings for schools enterprising enough to simply request one of our special “Summer Deals”.

Discounts are available for multiple bookings of one or more plays or workshops for the different or same key stages.

If we fit two shows in a morning, there is a saving on the whole day fee.

There is so much on offer: just ask or, better still, tell us your budget and be pleasantly surprised when we meet it.

For us, Theatre in Education was never a get rich plan, but rather to provide children with opportunities they may never otherwise experience.

Until I write again, take a look at some of what is on offer:

TELL US WHAT YOU WANT

Last time I wrote, I told you we launched our company in 1999, on the IDES OF MARCH, a date we shall never forget.

Back then, we had just the one play “THE STORY OF AESOP’S FABLES” and, true to say, schools could book it for the proverbial song. After all, it was just an idea at the time, and who knew if it would work.

Well, it really took off. So, we wrote more plays and introduced workshops to accompany them.

Today, we have ten scripted plays and an infinite number of workshops with more being added regularly. Think of a subject and we will construct a fully interactive drama workshop in which the children can learn, explore and realise their creativity.

And, it doesn’t stop there. We have the specialist skills to assist you with your teaching. Long gone are the boring days of snoozing in class, half listening to teacher droning on. Today, it is “up and at it”. “Hands on” is the call and that is exactly what we are. Whatever the need, we will be there to fill it.

If you are thinking of putting on a production, perhaps at Christmas, and need some assistance, just get in touch. We will be happy to help.

Enough said – more pictures, Albert….

THE KIDS COME FIRST

On the Ides of March 1999, we launched our Company with the first performance of our play

“The Story of Aesop’s Fables”

It was a huge success, and is still very much in demand.

Sadly, since then I have witnessed with dismay the ever-reducing budget for primary education.

I firmly believe Theatre in Education is an essential part of the education process.

I recognise also that schools may offer the only opportunity for too many living in deprived areas to witness live drama.

It seems our rulers have little regard for the arts.

Theatre plays no part in their thinking.

Bold statements perhaps, but where is the incentive for schools to promote this culture?

Well, if the Government won’t do it, we certainly will.

Please take a look at our website www.aesopstheatre.co.uk and see the many Plays and Drama Workshops we offer.

Then, tell us how much you can afford, and we will try our hardest to accommodate you. After all, as I have stated in my heading, “THE KIDS REALLY DO COME FIRST”.

As I leave you, take a look at what the kids could be enjoying in these pictures, Albert…..