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.....