Scotland's National Puppetry Festival now showing in:
“Over the past decade Scottish puppeteers have presented their work to over 1,300,000 people, establishing the artform as a vital and vigorous element of the performing arts in Scotland and the rest of the UK” Simon Hart
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Festival welcome This year the Puppet Animation Festival is twenty five years old. The UK’s oldest and largest annual performing arts event for children and young people, last year over 20,000 children young people and adults enjoyed our events
In 2009, once again we present the best of puppetry and animation from Scotland and the rest of the UK, as well as a classic production created by leading French company,Velo Theatre, that has been seen and enjoyed by audiences all over the world This year, with over 300 puppetry and animation performances and workshops throughout Scotland to tell you about, we have organised our Festival brochure in a different way.To make it easier for you to find all the information you need about events in your area we have divided our national brochure into five smaller, regional booklets The Festival still reaches as much of Scotland as it has always done, and if you would like to find out about any of our events in other parts of the country please visit our website for complete information www.puppetanimationfestival.org We hope that you will find our new style of brochure useful and we are sure that wherever you live in Scotland you will find something in our programme to see, or to participate in, that will be enjoyable and full of fun!
contents Festival Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Performances. . . . . . . . . . 3-8 Workshops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Venues & Events . . . 10-13 Festival Partners . . . . . . . 14
Simon Hart Artistic Director Emma Whitters Administrator
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PUPPETANIMATION
FESTIVAL2009 How to use the brochure
The Performances and Workshops sections section provides detailed descriptions of all performances and other events, their lengths and the ages they are most suitable for There will also be a link to the correct page in the Venues & Events section - in the second half of the brochure - for each of the areas and venues where an event will take place The Venues & Events section contains all the necessary dates, times, addresses, ticket information and contact details for all events.The Festival Map also provides a useful guide WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND YOU FOLLOW THE SUGGESTED AGES FOR EACH EVENT TO MAXIMISE YOUR CHILD’S ENJOYMENT
Website Visit www.puppetanimationfestival.org to find out more information about all our events in the Festival throughout Scotland as well as a helpful Daily Diary
Puppet Animation Scotland Puppet Animation Scotland is a strategic organisation funded by the Scottish Arts Council, that presents the Puppet Animation Festival as well as manipulate, our new festival of international visual theatre.We also provide a wide range of services to Scotland’s professional puppet theatre community and aspiring practitioners who are in the early stages of developing their careers in the sector Visit www.puppetanimation.org and you will find details about the training opportunities and funding schemes we offer, along with links to many other useful organisations and puppet theatre companies in the UK and beyond
Puppet Animation Scotland is a company limited by guarantee. SC022042 Cover design and illustrations (unless otherwise credited): John Fardell (jfardell@clara.co.uk) Design and layout: Veronica Petrie (www.illustration.webeden.co.uk)
PUPPET ANIMATION SCOTLAND CUSTOM HOUSE, 35 REGENT QUAY ABERDEEN AB11 5BE
Photographs as credited Printed: Thomson Colour Printers, Glasgow Published: Puppet Animation Scotland
t 01224 575743 e info@puppetanimation.org
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Festival map Dumfries & Galloway . . . . . p10 East Ayrshire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p11 North Ayrshire . . . . . . . . . . . . p11 South Lanarkshire . . . . . . . . p12 Renfrewshire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p13 Inverclyde. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p13
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Performances Rumpelstiltskin Ailie Cohen Duration 40mins Ages 4 yrs + The Fairytale Laundry is where - after a story is told - all the clothes, the knights and their armour, and the moon and the stars go for a bit of a polish.There’s so much work to be done! But who should turn up but Rumpelstiltskin, a funny wee man who is always ready to give a helping hand.With a cast of clothes pegs, a bulging wash basket and the odd colourful sock,Ailie Cohen returns with this delightful production “Ailie produces a startlingly imaginative feast...hugely enjoyable.Tremendous fun for all the family” The Stage PERFORMANCES IN East Ayrshire p11
A Stitch In Time Clydebuilt Puppet Theatre Duration 45mins Ages 7 yrs + When I was a little girl I used to go and visit my grandmother in the country.There was always the sound of a clock ticking in the corner.The clock came to me from my grandmother, along with a pair of scissors, a glove and her sewing skills.With beautiful embroidered scenery, found objects, original music, minimal text and cloth puppets I weave a story inspired by my Irish childhood, a story of people and places long forgotten, but still moving through time with the chimes of my grandmother’s clock “The children were absolutely spelbound.Thank you!” Primary School Teacher, Nanjing, China PERFORMANCES IN South Lanarkshire p12
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Performances The Three Bears Clydebuilt Puppet Theatre Duration 45mins Ages 3 yrs + Porridge, porridge, porridge. Do you like porridge? The THREE BEARS love it and have it every day for breakfast! Goldilocks lives above a sweet shop and has never tasted this delicious dish – until she visits the THREE BEARS’ home...what fun she is going to have...Clydebuilt Theatre’s new show for younger children involves a kitchen, recipes, healthy eating, a chef who speaks very little English...and a lot of fun! “This company is so creative...the children loved the show” Primary School Teacher, Fife
PERFORMANCES IN North Ayrshire p11
That’s Rubbish Dragonfly Dreaming Puppet Theatre Duration 50mins Ages 4 yrs + Skiprat’s looking for his lunch, but all he can find is rubbish....and it’s talking to him...What the skip’s going on? Join Skiprat - and his rubbish - as they take us on a journey from polystyrene to potato skins, via a supermarket to the local dump. Based on the simple slogan: “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”, this show cuts out the junk, keeps all the good bits and creates new ideas from the same old rubbish “It was fantastic and we all really enjoyed the puppets, particularly Fantastic Plastic and Rat!” Primary School Teacher, Dumfries & Galloway PERFORMANCES IN Dumfries & Galloway p10, South Lanarkshire p12
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Oscar & the Deep Sea Pearl Mousetale Puppets Duration 45mins Ages 4 yrs + The future of the ocean rests on one little mouse... Oscar and his friend, Fin the Fish, are swept into an exciting underwater mystery in which they encounter the wicked Emperor Gritsklyter and a deadly power which threatens to control the whole sea. Using UV lighting to present vivid, larger than life puppets, and featuring four great songs and lots of guitar playing from Oscar, this musical and colourful show is a much-loved family favourite from one Scotland’s most popular companies “Fresh, funny and bursting at the seams with vitality” Edinburghguide.com PERFORMANCES IN South Lanarkshire p12
Willie the Wicked Wolf Over The Top Puppet Company Duration 45mins Ages 6 yrs + Willie is an outrageous but lovable rogue whose interests include food, motorbikes and rock ‘n’ roll. He plans to eat Granny and Red Riding Hood but fails miserably because of his unreliable motorbike. Luckily Granny is a good mechanic. Unluckily she is not a good driver...how will it end? Happily of course, if the audience helps! A riotous and funny show which breathes wild new life into the traditional seaside booth style of puppetry “ A real winner with the children and the ultimate accolade – a thoroughly enjoyable show for adults too!” Edinburgh Fringe Review
PERFORMANCES IN Renfrewshire p13
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Performances Funnybones The Puppet Lab Duration 45mins Ages 3 yrs + There was once three skeletons who were lonely, a big skeleton, a little skeleton and a third skeleton...who was a dog.Together they were looking for people to scare, but everyone was asleep! So they decide to scare each other for fun.... but how easy is it for a scary skeleton to scare another one? A stylish and colourful show full of fun and friendship for family audiences, based on the Ahlbergs’ Funnybones series of books “Very impressed...the kids were talking about the show weeks later!” Director, New Deer Village Hall PERFORMANCES IN North Ayrshire p11
The Man Who Planted Trees Puppet State Theatre Company Duration 55mins Ages 7 yrs + The award-winning comedy adaptation of Jean Giono's well-loved story.A French shepherd sets out with his dog to plant a forest and transform a barren wasteland. Hear the wind, feel the rain and smell the lavender in this memorable multi-sensory theatrical delight “Laughs, heartbreak, war, regeneration, scented breezes, sparkling wit, the best dog puppet ever. Perfect for children and grown-ups.Terrific” The Guardian 2000 Total Theatre Award: Winner for Story Theatre PERFORMANCES IN South Lanarkshire p12
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The Garden Guzzler Sylvia Troon Stories Duration 50mins Ages 3 yrs + It is crisis time for King and Queen Flowerpot! The sun and clouds are holding a contest to see who can most successfully ruin their beautiful garden! It’s up to Barker, the little flowerpot dog, to find Tubby and his magic trowel, to help. Furious that not one of them can win, the sun and clouds create a great storm and send down a bolt of lightning which strikes an old tree, creating ‘The Garden Guzzler’...who is very, very hungry! “Thank you for bringing so much joy to everyone here” Librarian, Dundee PERFORMANCES IN North Ayrshire p11, South Lanarkshire p12
The Postman Velo Theatre (France) Duration 60mins Ages 5 yrs + A postman goes on his daily bicycle round, laden with letters and packages to deliver. Opening a package he discovers a fantastic magical world inside, and begins the first of many wonderful adventures, full of tenderness, poetry and humour. Presented by one of France’s leading companies, this production has been seen and acclaimed all over the world “A marvellous and magical mystery tour of an exotic adventure” The Independent
PERFORMANCES IN Dumfries & Galloway p10
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Performances Peter Pan Visible Fictions Duration 70mins Ages 8 yrs + Peter Pan’s classic adventures come to life in this stunning new production created by three leading theatre makers from around the world.Visible Fictions combines forces with The Children’s Theatre Company, Minneapolis (USA), and renowned Italian shadow artist Fabrizio Montecchi, from Teatro Gioca Vita (Italy).With a brilliant fusion of shadow puppetry and vibrant storytelling, Peter, Captain Hook,Wendy and the Lost Boys play out their adventures in an ever changing and exhilarating Neverland, in a thrilling, dark and surprising new production “Abundant in creativity…it’s impossible not to be wowed by the quiet magic” Pioneer Press (USA) PERFORMANCES IN East Ayrshire p11
The Magic Horse Yugen Puppet Company Duration 40mins Ages 3 yrs + Fingal is seeking his fortune when his tired old horse is replaced by a magical one. He is taken to a Prince, who guides him to a Princess. She makes Fingal perform a number of tasks. But who will marry the Princess, Fingal or the Prince? In this story-telling show with audience involvement, performed in a vivid and colourful cloth setting of patchwork trees, fields and sky, children become courtiers, mountains and magnificent castles. Puppets move through human forests, fields and snapping crocodile waters, in another of Yugen’s charming adaptations from our rich heritage of Scottish traditional tales “All sat spellbound” Support For Play & Early Learning, South Lanarkshire PERFORMANCES IN North Ayrshire p11, Renfrewshire p13
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Workshops Red Riding Hood & Friends Flotsam & Jetsam Puppets Duration 120mins Ages 5 yrs + Look out! Red Riding Hood goes back into the woods for more trouble! Who will she meet this time? A wolf, a bear or a pirate? Listen to her story then make a puppet. Then we will play some games that will help you learn how to use your puppet and put on your very own puppet show. Please wear old clothes “The children were enthralled” Primary School Teacher,Vancouver, Canada
WORKSHOPS IN Renfrewshire p13
The Wee Imp & Recycling Magic Flotsam & Jetsam Puppets Duration 120mins Ages 5 yrs + The Wee Imp hates big people’s rubbish! Listen to his story then make your own magical people and put on a puppet show! You’ll learn how to make a fantastic table-top puppet from recycled things like bottles, socks, newspapers and lovely bits of cloth.They you get a chance to play games that help you learn how to use your puppet.After you hear the story you can join the other children in acting out the story yourself with your puppet in a fun show. Please wear old clothes “Delightful...everybody was completely captivated” Primary School Teacher, Edinburgh WORKSHOPS IN Renfrewshire p13
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Venues & Events DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY MIDDLEBIE VILLAGE HALL SAT 21 MARCH
2.30pm
That’s Rubbish Dragonfly Dreaming INFORMATION Tickets £5.00/£3.00 for under 16s 01576 300715 Walter or Mary McGlasson or Committee members NEW GALLOWAY THE CATSTRAND MON 13 APRIL
3.00pm
The Postman Theatre Velo INFORMATION Tickets £3.00, 01644 420374 High Street, New Galloway, Castle Douglas Book online: www.thebooth.co.uk www.catstrand.com RAVENSTONE (Nr Whitehorn) SWALLOW THEATRE SAT 18 APRIL
6.00pm
That’s Rubbish Dragonfly Dreaming INFORMATION Tickets £5.00/£2.50 conc 01988 850368
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EAST AYRSHIRE DARVEL TOWN HALL TUE 14 APRIL
11.00am
NORTH AYRSHIRE IRVINE HARBOUR ARTS CENTRE
Rumpelstiltskin
MON 27 APRIL
Ailie Cohen
The Garden Guzzler
10.00am
Sylvia Troon Stories DRONGAN GAMES HALL WED 15 APRIL
11.00am
Rumpelstiltskin
TUE 28 APRIL
10.00am
The Three Bears
Ailie Cohen
Clydebuilt Puppet Theatre
CUMNOCK TOWN HALL
WED 29 APRIL
THU 16 APRIL
The Puppet Lab
11.00am
Rumpelstiltskin Ailie Cohen
THU 30 APRIL
INFORMATION Tickets £3.00/£2.00 conc £10.00/£6.00: Family Ticket 01563 554900, Palace Theatre www.visiteastayrshire.com KILMARNOCK PALACE THEATRE TUE 31 MARCH
10.00am
Funnybones 10.00am
The Magic Horse Yugen Puppet Company INFORMATION Tickets £2.00 01294 274059, Harbour Street Cultural Services Booking Line: www.harbourarts.org.uk
1.30 & 7.30pm
Peter Pan Visible Fictions WED 1 APRIL
1.30pm
Peter Pan Visible Fictions INFORMATION Tickets £6.00/£4.00 conc 01563 554900 www.palacetheatre.biz www.visitayrshire.com KILMARNOCK PALACE THEATRE GRAND HALL FRI 17 APRIL
10.30am
Rumpelstiltskin Ailie Cohen INFORMATION Tickets £3.00, 01563 554900 www.palacetheatre.biz www.visitayrshire.com
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Venues & Events SOUTH LANARKSHIRE
SCHOOLS PERFORMANCES NEW LANARK MILLS WED 18 MARCH
10.30am
That’s Rubbish
SOUTH LANARKSHIRE HAMILTON THE TOWN HOUSE THU 9 APRIL
1.00pm
The Garden Guzzler Sylvia Troon Stories
Dragonfly Dreaming SAT 18 APRIL WED 18 MARCH
10.30am
The Man Who Planted Trees
Mousetale Puppets
Puppet State Theatre Company THU 19 MARCH
10.30am
That’s Rubbish Dragonfly Dreaming THU 19 MARCH
10.30am
The Man Who Planted Trees Puppet State Theatre Company INFORMATION 01555 661345 www.newlanark.org EAST KILBRIDE ARTS CENTRE SAT 4 APRIL
2.30pm
That’s Rubbish Dragonfly Dreaming FRI 17 APRIL
2.30pm
A Stitch In Time Clydebuilt Puppet Theatre INFORMATION Tickets £5.00 £16.00: Family Ticket (x 4) 01355 261000 Old Coach Road
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2.30pm
Oscar & the Deep Sea Pearl INFORMATION Tickets £4.00 01698 452299 Cadzow Street
RENFREWSHIRE FERGUSLIE LIBRARY Blackstoun Road, 0141 887 6404 WED 8 APRIL
2.00pm
Willie the Wicked Wolf Over The Top
INVERCLYDE
SCHOOLS PROGRAMME INFORMATION For further information please contact: Rikki Payne, Cultural Co-ordinator
LOCHWINNOCH LIBRARY High Street, 01505 842305 THU 9 APRIL
2.00pm
The Magic Horse Yugen Puppet Company BISHOPTON LIBRARY Greenock Road, 01505 862136 TUE 14 APRIL
10.30am
The Wee Imp & Recycling Flotsam & Jetsam LINWOOD LIBRARY Ardlamont Square, 01505 325283 TUE 14 APRIL
2.30pm
The Wee Imp & Recycling Flotsam & Jetsam GLENBURN LIBRARY Fairway Avenue,0141 884 2874 WED 15 APRIL
10.30am
Red Riding Hood & Friends Flotsam & Jetsam BRIDGE OF WEIR LIBRARY Main Street, 01505 612220 WED 15 APRIL
2.30pm
Red Riding Hood & Friends Flotsam & Jetsam INFORMATION Tickets:All events are free but tickets must be reserved Please contact individual libraries to book
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Festival partners
PUPPET ANIMATION SCOTLAND, CUSTOM HOUSE, 35 REGENT QUAY, ABERDEEN AB11 5BE t 01224 575743 e info@puppetanimation.org w www.puppetanimationfestival.org