Description
These productions tour to small and mid scale theatres in England and Wales and to our local primary schools in London and the Home Counties.
The shows are participation musicals written and produced specifically for family audiences in theatres and children in primary schools. They are suitable for audiences 5 years old and up in theatres and reception to year 6 in Primary schools
Structure
The first act of approx. 30 mins is a rehearsal workshop for the whole audience. During this rehearsal the company of four actors introduce themselves, conduct a short 5 minute warm up (the audience remain sitting down), they choose between 9 and 12 children at random from the audience who are to take part as actors and these children are taken off to another space by two members of the company. While they are teaching the actors their parts, the other two teach the rest of the audience the choruses of four, sometimes five songs. There is then a break / interval of 20 mins. in which the company and the children actors are costumed. The audience then return from their break / interval and those taking part are seated at the front in costume and the show then commences with everybody taking part as rehearsed. Show length is 60mins.
Arrival, get in and get out times - schools
The company will arrive 30 mins before the start time in order get in and set up the set, props and music equipment. At the end of the visit it usually takes approx 15 mins to get the set and equipment out of the hall and into the van
Arrival, get in and get out times – theatres
The company will arrive 2hrs 30mins before the start time. Get in and set up takes approx. 20 mins., leaving 1hrs 40mins for focusing lights. A lighting plan will be forwarded to theatre techs well before the visit. The show is self supporting for sound and is operated by the actors from backstage. In theatres with a high stage treads are required so that access is available for the children taking part. It is very helpful if six seats each side are reserved as near as possible to those treads for the children that are to take part in the show.
Get out is usually completed within 30 mins of the end of the show.