RAISE YOUR GLASSES TO THE NEW KING

Are you all set for the CORONATION celebrations? We are. 

We have party bookings as well as a performance of "The Gingerbread Man" for the families in Chobham next Sunday. 

The bunting is already up and the funfair will be in full swing early next week. 

Grab your glasses of bubbly and get ready for the big celebration. 

All our characters from our ten plays will be on display and we are anticipating a bumper turnout.

Don't miss out on this great opportunity to be part of the carnival. 

I must be off now as so much to prepare, but I will look forward to seeing you all next Sunday.

Hopefully, your hangovers will have worn off! 

Bye, Albert.....

ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE

Jacques never uttered a truer word when he spoke that immortal line.

There is plenty of COMEDY in our plays but, hopefully, not too many ERRORS.

Since we started performing almost 25 years ago, nothing has given me more pleasure than seeing the eagerness and delight on the kids' faces when they are invited to be part of the action. They jump up with both arms thrust in the air in the hope of being chosen.

Of course, modern teaching methods have played a major part in encouraging participation. In my day, hands-on involvement never existed; certainly not in the state sector. One sat at the desk pretending to pay attention as the teacher droned on.

More and more, we are asked for Drama Workshops on any number of subjects, and we like to think we always rise to the occasion and create something both educational and invigorating; an hour or so that will last in the children's memories long after we have left.

Now it doesn't just have to end there. We offer far more. Consider a school play and whether you have the time and resources to produce an enjoyable and memorable production, or would you like some professional help?

Again, this is where we come in. All our plays have been created, written, choreographed, produced and directed by us. 

We write the music, compose the songs and deal with a myriad of issues involved in any production. All this we can offer, and more, including rehearsals, staging assessments, props and costumes. We have a wealth of knowledge and experience. 

Anyone who has seen one of our plays knows what I mean and, if you have yet to test us, take a look at the commendations on our website. 

 So, next time you decide to put on a school play, have us in mind. I will leave you now as ever with some pictures. 

Until again, Albert...

A BRIGHT SUNNY DAY

Having wished everyone a Happy Easter, I am delighted to see the warm sun and, hopefully, the real end of that long, long winter. Last time, I spoke about the environment and our ecological production "Robin Hood Rescues the Forest". This time, I have what I consider an equally, if not more important message, and that is safety for the young ones. Much play is made over "elf & safety", but generally it is for adults and workplaces. Our message is about the nursery and infant age range; kids who have yet to recognise the perils lurking in the home, garden, parks and streets, because they are essentially too young. Our play "Billy Beware!" highlights the dangererous situations that abound. We demonstrate in a fun-filled friendly manner what can befall you if you are not careful. Hazards in the kitchen, dangerous ponds, thorny bushes, kites getting caught in trees, just to name a few. We even have a dog "Woofer" to help children with the highway code when crossing the road. Demand for this production is really taking off this year. I suppose concern over the effect Covid had on children's development and socialising has sparked it. Until next time, I will leave you with some illustrations from "Billy" Take care, Albert....

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE

The schools have broken up and we are taking a brief well earned rest. March bookings were getting back to normal after the hit we all took from Covid last year. I suppose we should be grateful to have survived when so many didn't. I don't want to get all political, but I do believe when we have the inevitable change of government at the next election, education will move

a few places up the ladder of importance. Heaven knows this government pays it sparse attention. We are in the process of making some changes to our website that will enable our followers to participate more easily. In particular, there will be a regular NEWSLETTER. Teachers often mention they would like to communicate more directly online and this will afford them that opportunity. We recognise the need to remain in close contact, especially as education is moving into new areas and we want to be certain we are keeping abreast of change. Perhaps one of the most topical issues at present is the environment and climate change. If your school is heavily into this, do take a look at our play"ROBIN HOOD RESCUES THE FOREST". It has all the ingredients to push home the messages and enlighten the children about ecology. I will leave you now with some pictures from that production. Next time I will talk about another prominent issue that is important for the nursery and infant children. Until then, farewell from Albert......

Ringing in the Changes

Since my last communication of only a day or so ago, I have been thinking it is time to move in a different direction. Instead of bleating on about the inadequacies of the education system, I am going to spend a moment or two looking at the positives.

ANTICIPATING GOOD TIMES

At A.T.T.C. we are never at a loss for something new to offer. In the past few days we have been inundated with requests for INTERACTIVE WORKSHOPS. Subjects as diverse as "The History of Music" to "Life in the Rain Forest" We love challenges and always rise to the occasion. Ever decreasing school budgets mean that what little there is has to be spent to the best possible advantage and this is where we come in. We create Drama Workshops that not only give an in depth participative involvement with the subject, but also serve as a medium for social intercourse. For children to develop into adults they must have the ability to communicate with their peers. Heaven knows how much damage was inflicted during the Covid lockdowns. Perhaps time will tell or, most likely it will become fudged like many of the other disastrous decisions taken by those who should have known better. I could say more but I would rather focus on how we are playing our part on the journey back to normality. Teachers, you have your curriculum, now think on about the most productive way to embrace the subjects. Let's not simply drone on to an uninterested class, but bring vim and vigour to spark attention. We are proud to announce we have never "lost" a student. Nobody sleeps while we are on stage, whether it be performing a play or conducting a workshop. Either way, the children are enraptured. Give us a trwy and see what I mean. Enough for now: just a few more pictures, and I will be back ere long.... Albert....

NOT THERE YET, BUT LOOKING MUCH BETTER

Looking back through the diary and the wall calendar I sometimes wonder how we survived it. I mean did this country really grind to a halt for two years or so, and did so many businesses really perish through ill conceived plans and dreadfull advice from those in esteemed positions of power? I certainly know of Theatre in Education companies that did not have the resources to continue. How does one when the schools are closed! We were fortunate, or just plain lucky, because we are still here and business is picking up, albeit not at the rate we would like to see. And now, as if the pandemic was not enough to finish us off, we have strikes to contend with. We all sympathise with teachers including, alledgedly, our Prime Minister, but how can they expect justice when education figures so low down the list of priorities.Perhaps we are due a change of government. It surely cannot be any worse than the present one. Enough doom and gloom. I said things are looking up and we are now taking many bookings for the Spring and Summer terms. The Tudors are back in fashion as witnessed by the demand for our production "HENRY VIII". Also, protecting the environment is in vogue and we have the perfect play "ROBIN HOOD RESCUES THE FOREST". You will find a good deal of information on both these on our web pages, together with many commendations. I shall leave you now with some pictures. Until next time Albert.....

from the two plays.