"Hanging from the rafters"

Well we really packed them in yesterday at The Tricycle Theatre in Kilburn for two performances of "Not such an Ugly Duckling".
This coming week is "National Anti-bullying Week" and we have lined up no less than ten performances of this play and several associated Drama Workshops at nine different schools.
Is there somebody out there who can give us a hand please?
Joking aside, we are thrilled to be so sought after, and feel proud that we are able to offer a little something towards the endeavour to halt bullying.
I think I can reasonably predict that this relatively new play with its life size puppets is very much here to stay.

DIWALI (Festival of Lights)

Last month we were thrilled to have been invited to conduct some Workshops during the Diwali Festival. The Workshops were for pupils at Freemantles School in Mayford, Surrey. A school dedicated to the education of children with autism.
The Workshops consisted of creating rangoli floral pattern designs, mask making and lamp painting and decorating.
The children were just as excited as we were and the morning fairly flew by.
Whilst we would never presume to be experts in this form of art, we certainly benefited from the experience, and were pleased we had previously attended some Diwali festivities and witnessed the magnificent artwork.
Hopefully, we will be asked back next year; perhaps even to other schools.

Half Term is over

Not much time to rest as we were in theatres, sure start centres and art centres most of the week.
Highlights included another visit to Lains Barn near Wantage, The Landmark Arts Centre in Teddington where we performed "Henry VIII" to a packed house, and a trip to The Hub Theatre in Verwood by The New Forest where 150+ seats were filled to watch " The Adventures of the Gingerbread Man".
The phone is still ringing, mainly with late enquiries for a Christmas show. Strange how Christmas takes so many by surprise. I usually find it comes around towards the end of December!!!
We have managed to squeeze in the odd one still, very often after school hours.
Our thanks to those of you who have said so many kind things about "Robin Hood Rescues the Forest". Any misgivings we might have had have now entirely dispersed.

Mostly for the Young'uns

A busy week with lots of "Billy Beware!" and "Ugly Duckling" is coming to a close. Well, almost, as we will be at Blackheath Halls this afternoon with "Aesop's Fables".
Thursday was a really special day we will not forget in a hurry. We had the pleasure of performing on the open day at the Bagshot Children's Centre (2 performances of "Billy" to packed audiences). But what made it so memorable was the official opening of the Centre by the Countess of Wessex, who delighted everyone by visiting the children in their classes.
I was the "roady" for the day and took great pleasure in seeing so many kids and parents enjoying themselves. The Centre had laid on many treats; Bouncy Castle, Go Carts, Punch and Judy, Lego Building, Smoothie Making, Face Painting, Balloon Modeling, to name just a few. Oh, and everything was free including the food.
It was a deserving success, and I and the actors thank you for our bag of "goodies",. Perfect for the grandchildren when they go swimming.

Christmas on the Horizon

Well haven't I been remiss! Mid way into October and nothing written.
Well, the truth is I am so knocked out by the reviews we are getting following the September launch of our latest production "Robin Hood Rescues the Forest" that I am having trouble just keeping up with the bookings.
Add to this the effort of trying to accommodate those looking to book "Ugly Duckling" for National Anti-Bullying Week, and then allow also for the frenzy associated with the demand for "Billy Beware!" during National Safety Week and you start getting the picture.
And as if this is not enough to contend with I am also juggling with schools and their "Literacy Weeks". They all want "Aesop's Fables".
Of course the literacy week invariably clashes with the other two making life a complete nightmare.
But don't get me wrong. I love every minute of it
Now please excuse me as I have to rush off and deal with yet another crisis.

Now the Autumn term has started

Summer seemed to fly by this year and we are now filling rapidly in the run up to Christmas.
Plenty of Saturday and the odd Sunday bookings are adding to the busy spell; no time for relaxation!
Today we entertained the children at Luton Library with "The Hare & the Tortoise". It was a lovely end of summer day and the square was busy with an international food festival, and firefighters' demonstration; a real carnival atmosphere.
On Monday we start in earnest at the schools with bookings every day, and next Sunday we are looking forward to performing at Wyllyots Theatre in Potters bar. The following Saturday you will find us doing two back to back productions of "The Gingerbread Man" at Lauderdale House in Highgate. We love this venue as, having once been the home of Nell Gwynne, it has bags of character.
If you still want us before Christmas do pick up the phone and call 07836 731872 or email Albert at brooksa4@sky.com to avoid disappointment.

The New School Year

No sooner had the Autumn term begun on the 2nd September than we found ourselves driving to Birmingham the very next day to perform our ever popular "The Story of Aesop's Fables" to a lively bunch of 4 to 11 year olds. My, those Foundation Stage kids were tiny!
Everybody loved it.
The long journey proved useful as the actors were able to do a line run on the new Robin Hood play while I had the easy job of dealing with the motorways!
I guess we are back in the thick of it now as the phone is melting and the emails are pouring in.
Our two plays for the young, "Billy Beware!" and "Not such an Ugly Duckling" are in demand, particularly as schools and nurseries are responding to the Government's "anti-bullying" and "safety" initiatives.
At this rate I shall be lucky to find the time to write any more.