MY FIVE A DAY

No, I am not talking about fruit and, anyway, that myth has long been exploded.
I am referring to the average number of emails I receive every day offering to improve this website.
These appear to emanate from all over the World but, mainly India and China and sometimes the UK.
Of course there are the inevitable ones from the fraud capital of the World (not allowed to mention the country, but you all know where I mean).
There is a regular pattern to them all: rather like the unwanted telephone caller who starts off with "How are you today?". At which point you obviously hang up. Actually, if it is a live voice, and understandable, I may have a little fun first. Don't ask!!!
Yes, rather in the style of the shadow chancellor of the exchequer responding to the chancellor's budget address. He invariably praises his opponent for such an eloquent speech, and then proceeds to tear him apart.
So it is with those soliciting for our website business. "You have an excellent website however", and then they try to baffle me with technical jargon.
Somehow I manage to resist the temptation of responding with "yes, it is an excellent website. After all, so many of you are finding it without difficulty".
But no, once you reply, you are in their clutches.
Here endeth my bitch for today.
Let's look at a couple more pictures to remember what we do. Kids enjoying themselves.
Until next time,
Albert.......

KEEPING OUR FINGERS CROSSED

So far, so good!
I believe the weather is on our side this year. Keep raining if you like but please no snow or ice. England cannot handle it, and we don't want to disappoint the kids with so many shows booked before Christmas.
We were very apprehensive about last Monday's morning trip to Leicester, and then on to Mansfield in the afternoon, followed by an overnight stay in Stockton on Tees to freshen up for a late morning performance in Middlesborough on Tuesday.
Thankfully, all went well and the children and staff were delighted.
This coming week sees us in Chelmsford, Seaford, Birmingham and then finishing the year in London.
We start it all again in early January and I just read that the Seven Bridge toll is scrapped from today. That too is good news as we have a booking deep in Wales coming up shortly, and every penny saved helps keep us going.
I leave you with just a reminder of what we could have faced.
Until soon,
Albert.......

IT JUST GETS BETTER AND BETTER

It was only a few days ago I was telling you the wonderful news about Alia. Well, here is some more good news.
Starting in January, Paul Baverstock will be joining us.
Paul has a wealth of experience in both acting and directing.
Keen to get going, he has been armed with the scripts and will commence rehearsals next week.
Watch out for his biog. in the actors' section of this website where it will soon appear.
Now, I have been racking my brain to try and come up with some more "buzz" words; not with too much success I have to say.
Anyway, how about themes, studies, books, art, illustrations, creativity naration and entertainment.
Also, I think some character names from the plays may be useful.
So, here goes:
Billy, Gingerbread Man, Mr Hare and Mr Tortoise, King Henry VIII, Omar, Professor Mildred Mildew, Kitty, Stanley, Albert and his twin brother Edward, Maisy (the one you never see!), Neddy, Miss Cecilia Swan, Freddie the frog, Ann Boleyn, Ann of Cleves, Catherine Parr, Catherine of Aragon, Jane Seymour, Catherine Howard, Prince Edward, Princess Mary, Princess Elizabeth, Cardinal Wolsey, The Pope, Court Jester, Leper, Thomas Cranmer, Thomas Cromwell, Anon the Executioner, Grave Digger The Cow with no name, Mr Fox, The Snake and the Weasel, The Lion, Mr Stork.
That's just a few of the NINETY SIX CHARACTERS we portray in nine plays, and I haven't even mentioned any from "TIMELINE"
Still, enough to be going on with.
I fancy a cuppa.
So, 'till next time, this is Albert signing off. Come along Bonnie.......

   

ALIA IS BACK!

Readers, I have some wonderful news for you.
Remember ALIA WILSON who was with us for the 2017 school year?
Well, she has just finished an engagement in Italy, and has kindly agreed to assist us with our busy schedule up to Christmas.
With so many bookings, we are truly delighted to have her back. Luckily, we grabbed her before somebody else did.
I know there are hundreds of actors out there desperate for work. But try and nab one at this time of year!
In case some of you have forgotten what she looks like, here she is.

Amazingly, she only flew back yesterday, and is already working with us today at a school in Hampton Wick.
With her brilliant memory, she has only to skip through the scripts, ALL NINE OF THEM, and it all races back to her.
That's all from me for now; off to write up some NEW YEAR bookings.
Until next time,
Albert......  

IT AINT WHAT YOU SAY.......!

So, what am I on about now? You ask.
Well, pay attention, and I will try to explain.
I guarantee if you enter a Google search using any word with a minimum of just two letters, up will come Amazon and eBay. Just try it and you will see I am right.
Of course, we all know those massive organisations spend "£trillions" promoting their websites and, consequently, are pretty much in a league of their own.
However, that does not mean we lesser mortals cannot make an effort to compete. I am assured it is all about "buzz words", and search engines "adore pictures".
Well, we have lots of the latter, but a few more won't hurt.
But, for the moment, I will concentrate on the former so, here goes:
"theatre, drama , children's shows, touring, schools, playgroups, nurseries, children's centres, acting, workshops, special needs, travelling, productions, performances, local, national, international, scripts, dialogue, visual, sensual, innovative, choreography, sets, costumes, props, masks, puppets, wardrobes, songs, music.
See what I mean.
I may add a few more when they occur to me later.
Until the next time, take a look at Albert, in a previous life......
I know, you prefer the horse, "Baby Doll", but don't be fooled by the name. She was a lightning fast Quarter Horse.

 YES, ME AGAIN, BUT THIS IS A PASSPORT PHOTO, SO APOLOGIES FOR LOOKING MISERABLE!

DID SOMEBODY MENTION "BREXIT"?

I heard it for the first time a couple of days ago. Well, when one is busy looking after schools and, more importantly, kids with new ideas for Drama Workshops, there is no time for prattle.
I kid you of course, but do tell when or, maybe, if it is ever resolved.
Now, to more important matters. I recall telling you about our lovely new actress, Alicia, and some of you will have already seen her performing.
BUT, do you recognise her now?
YES, this is the new look, and we all love it.
If you prefer her with long hair, just go back to an earlier post when I first introduced her.
Enough of me for now. Until next time, Albert........

ARE WE "A LITTLE EXTRA"?

Thank you Mr Phillip Hammond for the truly magnanimous gesture: an estimated £10,000 for every primary school to spend on "the little extras" in the next financial year.
Sadly, owing to the annual cut-backs in the past few years, the "little extras" may have to be pencils or toilet paper! But, it is the thought that counts.
Now, those out there in the privileged position of having a few quid in the kitty may wish to push it in our direction and really give the kids something "a little extra".
We have 10 Scripted Plays and any number of Drama Workshops for your indulgence and the 10 grand will buy several performances to enhance your pupils' learning.
So, I say to hell with the toilet paper or whatever, and get spending while the going is good. You will probably never get a better chance.
Oh, I thought I would leave you with a photo of the man himself with a caring look.
Until next time,
Albert.......

"ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE".......

You all remember this line from "AS YOU LIKE IT".
And many of you know how it continues.
Well, we at Aesop's Theatre truly believe it.
We look at the faces of the children when they are performing the pieces they have created in our Drama Workshops, and that tells us they love being up there acting out their chosen parts.
Why am I stating the obvious, you may well ask?
Simply because within our Company we don't just have actors and performers, we have all the essentials to create "theatre".
Everything we do; all the plays we perform; all the workshops we direct; are of our own making.
We have the benefit of skilled producers, directors, choreographers, musicians and all the rest that it takes to create live drama.
I am telling you this as few schools have such. Yes, independents can afford the luxury of trained drama teachers, but they are few and far between.
With us you get "the whole shebang".
If you are struggling to put on a production at your school, just give us a call, and we are here to help with every aspect.
I leave you with the thought, and some shots of us in action.
Albert......

THE FIGS HAVE RIPENED

Should we put it down to Global Warming?
I planted a fig tree in a tub 30 years ago. It is now in a prominent position in the garden and dripping with ripe fruit.
AESOP'S TOURING THEATRE COMPANY is not quite so old but, it too, is brim full of plays and workshops designed for Children's Centres, Nurseries, Primary Schools and sometimes even the Young Seniors.
NEXT YEAR we celebrate the 80th anniversary of the outbreak of  "WORLD WAR II".
Our eponymous play has all the ingredients, Evacuation,  Anderson and Morrison Shelters, Rationing, Home Guard, Black Market and much more. With extracts of original speeches, air raid sirens, bombings, sound tracks and music of the era, not to mention authentic props and costumes, it really does inspire.
And, to those who still remember the Blackout, it will prove very emotional.
I guarantee any who lived through that terrible time will need a box of tissues handy for the ending.
Of course, it is a subject about which the children can have absolutely no concept; being taught by teachers who also have no concept of how it was.
A very dark subject, but we have injected some humour to ensure it is not only educational, but enjoyable as well.
As I leave you, take a look at some of these photos, Albert.....

THINKING ABOUT CHRISTMAS YET?

We are now into the third week of the Autumn term and soon the high streets will be canvassing their Christmas wares.
I don't want you to miss out on what we have to offer.
All the kids love a pantomime and many get lucky enough to go and see one. But it aint cheap!
Sadly, there are many who cannot afford it.
With us, the panto comes to you. We have something for everyone: kids, teachers and parents and, what's more, at a fraction of what it would cost at the local theatre.
Our most popular festive show is "The Gingerbread Man" for the nursery and infants.
But, let us not forget "The Hare & the Tortoise" and "The Ugly Duckling": all perfect for the same ages.
Of course, we also have a couple just perfect for the juniors, "Robin Hood" and "Aesop's Fables".
Take a look at the commendations and pictures under "PRODUCTIONS".
In the meantime, here are just a few samples....
Until next time, Albert.....

"POOR OLD HENRY"

Can it really be true that Britain's most famous Monarch has been consigned to the hinterland?
Whatever  possessed our government to allow schools to opt out of Tudor studies?
Do they not know that Henry VIII changed the course of history and, more importantly, our country?
For goodness sake reinstate the Tudors to the National Curriculum as a core subject.

Enough of the "belly-aching"!

We have not forgotten him, and I want to tell you about our wonderful play "HENRY VIII"

Two actors with a myriad of props and costumes portray FIFTEEN different characters in this extravaganza of a production. For 70 minutes the children will be spellbound as Tudor history unfolds before them.
With fully researched facts and a lavish helping of music and humour, the audience will participate and live the life of the Tudors. Some will even experience a breathtaking execution as they march the poor queen to the Tower of London.

Without giving too much away, just take a look at some of these pictures. You will find more on our website with many commendations. Then email or call me and make sure your children enjoy learning about "POOR
OLD HENRY"
Until the next time, Albert.........

AND THEN CAME THE RAIN!

Well, we all knew it could not last forever, but what a glorious Summer, and how much fun we had rehearsing with our new actress outdoors.
Alicia now knows all nine plays in which she will be performing, as the new school year begins next month: and we shall be off on holiday for a few days staying with friends in France.
Our next mailing will be hitting the schools as they return in September and, hopefully, the phone will melt!
I suspect we will be inundated with requests for presentations and workshops celebrating the 100 years since the end of World War I.
This could also prove an appropriate time to air our "TIMELINE" play.
If I have not mentioned it before, it is an 80 minutes extravaganza covering the period from STONE AGE MAN to THE PRESENT DAY.
One actor with a myriad of props and costumes portrays most of the important characters and events in English history.
It is truly spectacular: just take a look at some of the reviews on the website.
In the meantime, I will leave you with a few photos from the play.
Until next time, Albert....