Coming out of uncertain times we are extremely excited to present our new season of shows and exciting offers of workshops and digital resources. During periods of closure we have been able to focus more on the digital side of our work and have created, and continue to create, a large body of wonderful stories, craft activities and informative films which we know your pupils will love. These, along with shows going out on tour, mean that we are able to bring our work to schools far and wide. So whether you bring classes to come and see the shows in our venues, invite us into your school to perform or deliver a workshop, or access our puppetry films and activities online we can’t wait to share this exciting new season with you. Sarah Schofield Head of Creative Learning
HOW TO BOOK WORKSHOP BOOKINGS We have a brand new form on our website for you to fill out to enquire about our workshops. This can be found, here. TICKETS FOR SHOWS To book a show, please visit our For Schools page on the website here and complete our enquiry form. Once submitted, a member of our box office team will be in touch to proceed with your booking. • You may make a provisional reservation, and once the reservation is confirmed we invoice for payment. • Tickets for schools groups are £6.50 per person (this price is available in Islington term times before 3pm on weekdays only) • Additional free adults are available if children need one-to-one adults SEATING AND ACCESS • Seating in the Theatre is on benches and the capacity per show is approximately 100 (depending on ratio of adults to children) • The Studios is set up differently for each show, so the seating capacity varies - Box Office will advise when you enquire. • Let us know your access requirements - wheelchair spaces must be booked in advance •Ask the Box Office about booking a Relaxed Performance for your school.
Cover illustration © 1994 Eileen Browne From HANDA’S SURPRISE by Eileen Browne Reproduced by permission of Walker Books Ltd, London SE11 5HJ www.walker.co.uk
STUDIOS
Handa’s Surprise Written and illustrated by Eileen Browne A Little Angel Theatre Production
2 - 5 YEAR OLDS
Curriculum Links Maths: Counting and numeracy skills. Science: Needs of living things, diet, animals and habitat PSHE: Friendship Running time: 35 mins
9 FEBRUARY - 16 APRIL Travel to Kenya and follow in Handa’s footsteps as she journeys to see her best friend Akeyo, in the next village. Handa is taking seven delicious fruits as a surprise – but seven different animals have seven very different ideas… could you resist the sweet-smelling guava? How about a ripe red mango or a tangy purple passion fruit? A blend of physical performance, puppetry, live music and song combine to create an intimate, magical production with audience participation. Come and share in the magical tangerine surprise!
Handa’s Surprise, adapted from the book by Eileen Browne, is aimed at ages 2 – 5 and builds on the characters from the book to create a versatile and dynamic younger years show, exploring friendship, teamwork and problem-solving. This play is based on the original book Handa’s Surprise written and illustrated by Eileen Browne. Text and illustrations copyright © Eileen Browne 1995. Published by Walker Books Ltd, London.
Illustrations copyright © Lydia Monks 2012. Published by Macmillan Children’s Books.
THEATRE THE-
The Singing Mermaid by Julia Donaldson & Lydia Monk Little Angel Theatre and Royal & Derngate, Northampton, in association with Watershed Productions.
24 FEBRUARY - 24 APRIL One day, the singing mermaid is tempted away from all of her sea creature friends and her peaceful home at Silversands to join a travelling circus. The audiences love to hear her sing, but the poor mermaid was tricked! Instead of the swimming pool she was promised, she is kept in a small tank by the wicked circus master Sam Sly. Will she ever escape? And who will help her along the way?
3 - 8 YEAR OLDS
Curriculum Links English: Reading and Writing, Author study (Julia Donaldson), myths and mythical creatures Topic: The Seaside Science: Habitats, the sea. Running time: 1 hour approx
Through beautiful puppetry and performance, and with music by Barb Jungr (We’re Going On A Bear Hunt, The Pixie and the Pudding, The Smartest Giant in Town, There May be a Castle), Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks’s enormously popular story, The Singing Mermaid, is brought to life. This play is based on the original book The Singing Mermaid. Text copyright © Julia Donaldson 2012. Illustrations copyright © Lydia Monks 2012. Published by Macmillan Children’s Books.
Illustration by Amberin Huq
THEATRE THE-
Pinocchio
Written by Carlo Collodi Adapted by Louise Warren An Indefinite Articles production, in association with Little Angel Theatre
29 APRIL - 26 JUNE
5 - 11 YEAR OLDS
Curriculum Links English: Book study. Traditional tales and fairy tales. Comparing different versions of the same story. Art, Design and Technology: Puppet Making PSHE: Friendship, family, trust and honesty Running time: 1 hour approx
Step inside Geppetto’s workshop and hear Puppetry, shadows, illusion and original the tale of a puppet that wants to be a real music combine to create a show that is boy, and a puppet maker who wants to be inventive, witty and has a big heart. a real father. Watch as Pinocchio is carved on stage, paint brushes come to life as foxes and the shadow of two saws transform into a giant fish. An element of improvisation adds to the magic, as no two performances are exactly the same.
I Want My Hat Back - Adapted by Ian Nicholson and Sam Wilde From the book by Jon Klassen, illustrated by Jon Klassen published by Candlewick Press
STUDIOS THE-
by Jon Klassen
Little Angel Theatre and Ian Nicholson & Sam Wilde
28 MAY - 31 JULY
A bear has lost his hat. What if he never sees it again? WAIT! He has seen his hat. A fish has stolen a hat. And he’ll probably get away with it. Probably. Two turtles have found a hat. The hat looks good on both of them. But there are two turtles. And there is only one hat. Following their hit digital series, lockdown sensations Ian Nicholson and Sam Wilde
3 - 6 YEAR OLDS
Curriculum Links English: Book study. Picture books. Comparing books by the same author. Art, Design and Technology: Using cardboard and recycled materials. Science: Animal species and habitats PSHE: Trust and honesty, right and wrong, friendship, managing emotions. Running time: 1 hour approx
are back with more of their trademark cardboard design. Jon Klassen’s beloved books, I Want My Hat Back, This is Not My Hat and We Found A Hat, will have a brand new life of their own LIVE on the Little Angel Theatre stage. All your favourites including Bear, Little Fish and the Turtles will be making an appearance in this one-of-a-kind trilogy.
This Is Not My Hat - Adapted by Ian Nicholson and Sam Wilde From the book by Jon Klassen, illustrated by Jon Klassen published by Candlewick Press We Found A Hat - Adapted by Ian Nicholson and Sam Wilde. From the book by Jon Klassen, illustrated by Jon Klassen published by Candlewick Press
I Want My Hat Back Trilogy
Photo by Clive Barda
STUDIOS
VISITING COMPANIES JINA & the STEM Sisters Written by Rachel Barnett-Jones and composed by Jenny Gould. An HDMT Music production
20 APRIL–01 MAY Join lost budding scientist Jina on her adventure home, empowered by some of history’s super-STEM women. Ada Lovelace, Hedy Lamarr, Marie Curie and Mae Jemison are amongst those offering Jina scientific gifts of curiosity, courage, creativity, persistence and open-mindedness, to help her find her way and follow her dreams to become a scientist!
FOR EVERYONE OVER 7
Curriculum Links Jina and the STEM Sisters is supported by an extensive primary schools’ education project STEM Sisters aimed at KS2 students. This new multi-media musical puppet show is based on the discoveries and stories of historical STEM women who fought against the odds to pursue their flair for scientific enquiry, but were often unacknowledged for their discoveries and frequently encountered discrimination and prejudice along the way. Made possible with the support of Arts Council England
Photo by Clive Barda
STUDIOS
Kinder A Smoking Apples production
11 MAY - 14 MAY Escaping on a Kindertransport train, one small Czech-Jewish girl embarks on a mighty adventure. Crossing between the past and present, Babi travels across Europe; from bon bons in Germany to the smell of the sea in Margate, she discovers how tiny acts of kindness can change the course of a person’s life.
11 -16 YEAR OLDS
Curriculum Links History - World War Two, Holocaust English/Drama - Kindertransport by Diane Samuels Sociology/Humanities/Religious Studios - Displacement and Identity Crisis, Crossing of Cultures, Judaism Running time: 55 minutes approx
Kinder is the newest show, from award winning puppetry and visual theatre company Smoking Apples. Inviting you to take a seat inside an immersive set, the story unfolds through a series of playful hatches and openings.
Joyful, moving and poignant, Kinder features beautiful table top puppetry and cinematic Supported using public funding by the shadow play, as Babi tries to assemble the National Lottery through Arts Council parts of her broken identity, to find peace in England and Enterprise Arts Trust. her future.
ON TOUR ON TOUR
Photo: Ellie Kurttz
THE SMARTEST GIANT IN TOWN Written by Julia Donaldson and Illustrated by Axel Scheffler A Fierylight & Little Angel Theatre coproduction
TOURING NOW George wishes he wasn’t the scruffiest giant in town. So when he sees a new shop selling giant-sized clothes, he decides it’s time for a new look: smart trousers, smart shirt, stripy tie, shiny shoes. Now he’s the smartest giant in town ... until he bumps into some animals who desperately need his help – and his clothes! This heart-warming tale about friendship and helping those in need is brought to
2-8 YEAR OLDS
Running time: 45 minutes approx life in a musical, puppet-filled adventure. Little Angel Theatre’s previous bestselling adaptations of Julia Donaldson’s picture books include The Singing Mermaid and The Everywhere Bear.
The Smartest Giant in Town is touring widely across the UK this season. To find out more visit https:// smartestgiantonstage.co.uk This play is based on the picture book The Smartest Giant in Town © Text Julia Donaldson 2002 and © Illustrations Axel Scheffler 2002, published by Macmillan Children’s Books.
ON TOUR
Photo: Ellie Kurttz
HANDA'S SURPRISE
Written and illustrated by Eileen Browne
2 - 5 YEAR OLDS
Curriculum Links Topic: African culture. English: Author Study (Eileen Browne). Maths: counting, addition. Running time: 35 minutes approx
A Little Angel Theatre Production
24 APRIL - 3 JULY Travel to Kenya and follow in Handa’s footsteps as she journeys to see her best friend Akeyo, in the next village. Handa is taking seven delicious fruits as a surprise – but seven different animals have seven very different ideas… could you resist the sweet-smelling guava? How about a ripe red mango or a tangy purple passion fruit? A blend of physical performance, puppetry, live music and song combine to create an intimate, magical production with audience participation. Come and share in the magical tangerine surprise!
You can book for Handa’s Surprise to come to your school this summer term for £500+vat. This includes up to 2 performances. These school performances sell out fast, so please contact Tour Producer Cindy McLeanBibby on cindy@littleangeltheatre.com to find out more and book. This play is based on the original book Handa’s Surprise written and illustrated by Eileen Browne. Text and illustrations copyright © Eileen Browne 1995. Published by Walker Books Ltd, London.
For more tour information, click here.
Photo: Ellie Kurttz
Want to book one of our other shows this year? Little Angel Theatre tours shows nationally and across the Globe. We are dedicated to taking our innovative and adventurous puppetry productions to young people across the UK and beyond, sharing our work in theatres, schools, libraries, children’s centres and more. You can read about all of our available touring productions for 2022, including those available for Christmas transfers, here: LAT On Tour 2022.
If you are interested in booking one of our shows or require any further information on Little Angel Theatre’s touring work, please contact our Tour Producer Cindy on cindy@ littleangeltheatre.com
FREE ONLINE SHOWS Little Angel Theatre have a whole host of online shows available to watch on our YouTube channel for free and they even include a craft activity that you can make together in class!
Click here to Watch
People Behind The Puppets
Lakes
In this new online series, Little Angel’s very own Little Angel puppet will meet and interview these designers to find out more about their experiences of puppetry design and why they love working in the field.
Join the exploits of Rover the discovery bot as they explore the barren landscape of Saturn’s moon Titan. The Rover has set out on a journey of a lifetime, to discover proof of extraterrestrial life.
Feels Like Home
Sweet Porridge
Feels Like Home is a heart-warming story of friendship and teamwork brought to life through puppetry. Celebrating the beauty of the autumn, this cosy story will get you wondering who (or what) is out there amongst the leaves?
by House of Funny Noises.
by Tiny Light Theatre an updated Grimms fairy tale with added fibre! A delicious adventure for 4-7 year olds that lets us get messy and play with our food. Come and explore a tiny tasty world created entirely from the fridge, the kitchen cupboard & the recycling bin!
Make
Share
Fantastico by Jessica Shead & Ruby Saide Elephant is tired, & in need of a good sleep. His old armchair is comfy but worn out, & he can’t sit down without it making twingy-twangy noises.
The Scaryglow
by Peter Steele. Recently rumours have been spreading about a monster that lives in the forest. George decides it’s time to solve the mystery once and for all. The mystery of The Scaryglow!’
+ more coming soon on our YouTube channel!
ACTIVITIES AND WORKSHOPS Puppetry is a creative and imaginative way to explore the curriculum. We can come into your school and run a workshop or you can visit us.
Early Years
Little Makers – Puppet Making
We can work with very young children to make puppets. Our simple puppet designs including spoon people, hand/ glove bag puppets and rod puppets, can be adapted to suit the story or topic of your choice. Time Needed: At least half a day per class Age: Aimed at Reception – year 2
Angel Sings – Sensory play
Each session has a sensory play activity and a chance to sing and dance along with Angel. The classes are designed with a variety of ages in mind, with guided play for babies and craft activities for toddlers. Time Needed: 1 hour Age: Aimed at nursery or pre-school
KS1
Table Top Puppets
These people puppets are extremely versatile. We can work with your class to make characters from a specific story, historical period or topic of your choice, just ask! Time Needed: A full day per class Age: Aimed at year 1 upwards
Little Makers – Puppet Making
We can work with very young children to make puppets. Our simple puppet designs including spoon people, hand/ glove bag puppets and rod puppets, can be adapted to suit the story or topic of your choice. Time Needed: At least half a day per class Age: Aimed at Reception – year 2
KS2 Head to our dedicated ‘For Schools’ website to find out more information about our workshops, including how to book.
Shadow Puppets
Dragon Puppets
Table Top Puppets
In this workshop, children not only learn a new puppet-making skill while creating exciting fantasy worlds and characters but they also explore science as they learn about shadow and light.
Want to learn how to train a Dragon? Design your own fantastical creature and make it fly using puppetry. These string puppets are perfect for groups exploring mythical or fantasy stories.
These people puppets are extremely versatile. We can work with your class to make characters from a specific story, historical period or topic of your choice, just ask!
Time Needed: A half day or full day Age: Aimed at years 3-6
Time Needed: A full day per class Age: Aimed at years 3-6
Time Needed: A full day per class Age: Aimed at year 1 upwards
Secondary Schools Performance
Making
An Introduction to Puppetry Performance
Shadow and Light
Aimed at total beginners, this is a crash course in puppeteering. We will teach you essential skills and techniques needed to bring objects alive with movement and emotion. You will be able to practice these skills using puppets from Little Angel Theatre’s collection. Age: Aimed at young people from Year 7/8 (age 11) upwards.
Meet the Puppets and try out Puppeteering
Meet some of our puppets and learn about how they work, what they are made from and how we make them – then have a go yourselves. Age: This workshop can be adapted for any age group
Make shadow puppets, play with perspective and use objects to add textures and colours. This workshops is the perfect way to explore scientific ideas, drawing or performances. Age: Aimed at years 7-9
Table Top Puppets Make and Share
Make and perform with table top puppets. We can be inspired by history or a location, or characters from a novel. These upright people puppets are a great way to explore themes and get children to engage with characters. Age: Aimed at years 7-9
Whether you would like to work with us for one day, a whole academic year or anything in between we can provide a variety of bespoke puppetry workshops and residencies, just ask! Head to our dedicated ‘For Schools’ section on our website to find out more.
DIGITAL RESOURCES We have been performing shows and delivering workshops in schools in North London for years. Now we’re excited to share our schools content far and wide with these digital packages! Each package contains: Watch – a digital puppet show. Make – workshop videos and instructions for making your own puppets, set and stories. Plus resources to support cross curricular learning and ideas for delivering a puppetry project in school. Share – ideas for how to share and celebrate your work. Packages are available online from anywhere in the world. We will give you a link to a folder of videos and PDFs you can print and use in class – easy!
Tam’s Gift – A story about finding what makes us special
Scoop’s Space Stories – Exploring the environment & recycling
Best suited to KS1 & lower KS2, Years 1 – 4
Best suited to KS1 & KS2, Years 1 – 6
Tam is a little monster who doesn’t think they are special. All the other monsters seem to be good at something but Tam is struggling to find a talent of their own.
Meet Scoop, who loves to find old things and give them new life, and Bertie who is made from plastic bottles and can’t wait to be recycled! Then head to Mr Gobble’s Garden, where Scoop introduces us to more friends made from objects that might otherwise be thrown away. Along the way we’ll also learn some lessons about growing plants and friendship.
Follow along to a video teaching you how to make your own monster puppet. Then learn how to use your puppet to tell stories and explore feelings that might be hard to face in real life. This package also contains resources around Tam’s song including lyrics & recordings so you can sing along!
There are videos showing you how to make & use puppets from junk, and activities on the environment & recycling.
Day and Night – Exploring shadows, light and poetry through puppetry Best suited to KS2, Years 3 – 6 Start by watching a beautiful shadow puppet version of David Windle’s poem ‘Day and Night’. Then meet the filmmaker, followed by a video workshop showing you how to make your own translucent shadow puppets. We also include teacher notes with information and ideas for cross-curricular lessons linked to the themes, an author study and top tips for writing poetry.
Find out more about our digital resources on our website, here.
PUPPET HIRES Little Angel Theatre cares for a large archive of puppets, from Bunraku to marionettes and familiar characters from children’s television. The archive has been built up over many years of Little Angel Theatre shows, as well as receiving generous donations from the public. Recently we have taken on 17 exquisite Indonesian shadow puppets, 10 Pelham puppets and 5 marionettes. If you are interested in hiring a puppet for your school theatre production or project, contact hires@littleangeltheatre.com to take a look through our puppet hire brochure.
Photo: Ellie Kurttz
FIND US THEATRE
Little Angel Theatre 14 Dagmar Passage Off Cross Street N1 2DN
STUDIOS
Little Angel Studios Sebbon Street Community Centre Sebbon Street N1 2EH T. 020 7226 1787 www.littleangeltheatre.com
/LittleAngelTheatre @LittleAngelTheatre
Cover Photo: Suzi Corker VAT Registration No. 233867152 Registered Charity no. 232488
@LittleATheatre