Category: Drama

The Benefits of Drama

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When it comes to birthdays, every child loves to have a party! Drama parties are becoming more and more popular with kids because not only is it a huge amount of fun, it is also incredibly creative and stimulates kids’ imaginations and takes them to wonderful worlds of make believe. Drama classes are known for having fantastic benefits to children and the same is true for drama parties, as they incorporate the same key elements that help with children’s development! So your kids can have fun whilst developing their core personal skills at the same time, such as confidence, social interaction, imagination, coordination and communication.

There have been many studies to show that engagement with theatre and the arts promotes creative thinking and even improves academic performance. This is a great way to help your kid’s with their school work by the way; not only will they not feel like they’re learning, they’ll be having fun – Party fun!!!!

Creative skills don’t just help with confidence and communication, but also with problem solving and innovation. It is no secret that kids learn and develop whilst having fun along the way.

Children’s party entertainers offer a huge range of themed drama parties from around the world, to fairies, jungle, magician’s castle and more… A drama party could be just the ticket to get their creative juices flowing and we offer a variety of themes to suit your child’s interests. They can be based around your kid’s favourite character like Peter Pan or Robin Hood, or maybe they would prefer to be transported to Hawaii or even go ‘Under the Sea’.

Children’s entertainers come in full costume, and incorporate a mix of hugely imaginative games and activities linked to your theme, intertwining a super cool adventure story along the way where the kids are actually inside the story!!!

Free Kids Theatre

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The summer holidays will be fast approaching, and like us, we bet you’re stuck for ideas to keep the kids entertained without spending a fortune. Luckily for you, Kids Week 2018  are offering free tickets for kids to many top London shows this August .

Kids Week is run by Society of London Theatre and wants to encourage young people to get involved in theatre. Young theatre fans can snap up the free tickets on Tuesday 13 June at 10am, but you’ll have to be quick though as we expect the allocated tickets will sell out pretty quickly.

West End shows including 42nd Street, An American in Paris, School of Rock and The Wind in the Willows are among shows giving children free tickets this August.

They are among the 35 West End productions participating in the 20th annual Kids Week, run by the Society of London Theatre.

From August 1-31, children aged 16 or under will be able to attend participating shows for free alongside an adult paying full price.

Two additional children can attend for half price.

Other shows taking part include Matilda the Musical, Half a Sixpence, Aladdin, The Play That Goes Wrong, Wicked, Kinky Boots and Les Miserables.

Tickets will go on sale on June 13 at 10am.

A Square World

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Full House Theatre will stage dance theatre performance: A Square World this February for school children and families – for free.

A Square World is an honest, touching and quirky story of three friends and what happens when an unexpected change leaves one of them left out in the cold.

Together they decide to redefine the rules of the square world in which they live and soon discover their lives won’t be square ever again! This non-verbal story uses simple design and object manipulation to create an imaginative world where anything can happen.

This endearing and funny performance looks at the unfairness of being left out in a world designed for everyone else but yourself.

A Square Worlds has been funded by Arts Council England through the strategic touring project From Stumbling Blocks to Stepping Stones, headed up by Full house Theatre in partnership with Luton Culture. The project aims to enable more school children, young people and their families to see more quality family theatre in venues across the UK – including The Civic, Barnsley. Selected Barnsley schools will also be given the opportunity to have the piece performed in their school halls.

The Civic, Barnsley are offering Barnsley families the opportunity to see this high quality, fun and entertaining dance performance for free in Barnsley Central library on 15th February at 11:30am and 2:30pm. Barnsley will be the first stop in a wider UK community tour that will move on to Leighton Buzzard and Thurrock before touring schools throughout Bedfordshire with schools performances also scheduled for Bury St Edmunds, Barnsley and Thurrock.

Castle culture

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Looking for the best place to grab a slice of culture and learn a thing or two? You can’t go wrong with a visit to a castle to entertain your mini knights and princesses! Here’s a list of some  family days out throughout the UK.

Corfe Castle, Wareham

Bring your budding little historian to these iconic ruins steeped in 100 years of fascinating history. Try and spot murder holes, count arrow loops and complete a quiz on your travels! Keep your eyes peeled for family events held throughout the year including spectacular battle re-enactments, an open-air theatre and cinema days.

Dunster Castle, Minehead

Located in the picturesque setting of Dunster, this beautiful castle was home to the Luttrell family who lived here for 600 years. It overlooks the village and features an amazing 17th century staircase, as well as a sub-tropical garden covering 28 acre and contains plants such as the giant lemon tree, yuccas, mimosa and palms.

Penrhyn Castle, Bangor

Come and bring your little knights and princesses to explore this amazing 19th century castle! You’ll find fascinating objects such as a one tonne slate bed made for Queen Victoria, as well as the castle kitchens and stables. Outdoors there are over 60 acres of grounds to be discovered with parkland, exotic trees and a Victorian walled garden.

Scotney Castle, Tunbridge Wells

Discover all that this wonderful castle, which was built by Edward Hussey III from the sandstone quarried from the grounds, has to offer! Covering 770 acres, this castle is the perfect spot for walks and picnics. There is plenty for the kids to enjoy including the Natural Play Trail, Discovery Room, building dens in the Wilderness Camp and looking out for wildlife including barn owls!

Lindisfarne Castle, Berwick upon Tweed

This dramatic castle, which was renovated by Arts and Crafts architect Edwin Lutyens, is an an amazing place to bring the kids! Explore its many rooms, staircases and see some fantastic views from the top. The Gertrude Jekyll Garden is a beautiful little garden by the castle and there are lime kilns that you can explore too!

Castle Ward, Downpatrick

Take a tour of this 18th century castle surrounded by dramatic rolling hills. There’s trails around the grounds to keep little explorers entertained, where they can spot wildlife such as butterflies, rabbits, ducks and swans. There’s also a super fun outdoor woodland playground and adventure playground too!

Weatherproof Indoor Games

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It seems as soon as we get excited about the sunshine and make ‘outdoorsy’ plans, the rain clouds arrive! If you’re left wondering what on earth to do with the kids, we’ve come up with some great games to play in the comfort of your own home to keep kids of all ages entertained.

Indoor bowling

This game provides hours of fun for children (and adults) and can even be as competitive as you like You can either buy an indoor bowling set or use empty water bottles set up in a line and a soft ball. Don’t forget – place some tape as a starting line so avoid any cheating!

Dressing up stories

Get the kids using their imaginations and write a story – it could simply be their favourite fairy tale changed! They then have to act out their stories complete with costumes and props. Of course, you’ll need to put your acting skills to the test and join in with them!

Alphabet fishing

A fun and easy way to develop letter recognition and early reading skills, and even better it’s perfect for those rainy days! All you need are some magnetic letters, sticks or chopsticks, string, and paperclips. Tie the paper clips to your string and then tie (or glue) your string to your stick. Pour the magnetic letters into a big bowl…and let the children start fishing! The ‘catch of the day’ is the kids need to make words with the letters they hook out

Play ‘Sardines’ – a twist on the traditional hide and seek

You’ll need at least four players for this game with one person hiding and the other players searching for the hider. When a player finds their friend hiding, they then need to hide with that player staying where they are until another player finds them and so on. The fun will continue until the last person finds everyone at which point everyone will be squashed like – sardines!

Board games

Ditch electronic games and play with traditional board games. Snakes and Ladders, Guess Who, Monopoly…which games keep your little ones entertained?

Play ‘Bubbles’!

Playing this game is very simple and loads of fun! All you need is water, washing up liquid, a bowl and some straws! Put some water (about 2 cm) in the bowl with some washing up liquid and mix just a little bit until bubbles start forming. Use the straw to gently blow bubbles (avoid drinking – it tastes yuck) and very quickly you’ll start making huge bubbles! You could even add a bit of food colouring to make different coloured bubbles!

Build a den

Drape blankets and sheets over chairs to make a cosy den for the kids. They can read books, play games and even nap (if you’re lucky!) however the challenge may be coaxing them out of their secret fort at teatime!

Free Family Event

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Full House Theatre will stage dance theatre performance Where The River Runs this February for Barnsley school children and families – for free.

Where The River Runs is a captivating piece of dance for children aged 4+. It’s the simple story of a stranger trying to cross a river and what happens when water comes to life. This dynamic and beautiful piece will have both children and their grownups enthralled with stunning movement, great storytelling for kids and some spectacular lifts!

Where The River Runs has been funded by Arts Council England through the strategic touring project From Stumbling Blocks to Stepping Stones, headed up by Full house Theatre in partnership with Luton Culture. The project aims to enable more school children, young people and their families to see more quality family theatre in venues across the UK – including The Civic, Barnsley. Selected Barnsley schools will also be given the opportunity to have the piece performed in their school halls.

The Civic, Barnsley are offering Barnsley families the opportunity to see this high quality, fun and entertaining dance performance for free in Barnsley Central library. Barnsley will be the first stop in a wider UK community tour that will move on to Leighton Buzzard and Thurrock before touring schools throughout Bedfordshire with schools performances also scheduled for Bury St Edmunds, Barnsley and Thurrock.

 

London’s Pantomime

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CINDERELLA AT THE LONDON PALLADIUM

14 December 2016 – 15 January 2017

Cinderella is a family classic, the tale of rags-to-riches as Cinderella escapes her Wicked Stepmother and is helped by her loving Fairy Godmother. It’s an enchanting tale that children will love and it’s the first pantomime to grace the London Palladium in nearly 30 years. With a fully flamboyant and fantastic cast to boot, Paul O’Grady as the Wicked Stepmother, Amanda Holden as the Fairy Godmother, Natasha J Barnes as Cinderella, Count Arthur Strong (Baron Hardup), Paul Zerdin (Buttons), Lee Mead (Prince Charming) and Nigel Havers (Lord Chamberlain), this is a pantomime with a cast sure to bring sparkle to everyone this Christmas.

London Palladium, Argyll Street, London, W1F 7TF

CAT IN THE HAT AT PLEASANCE THEATRE LONDON

6 December 2016 – 2 January 2017

A great festive treat for kids and great entertainment for children aged 3+ based on the much loved book by Dr Seuss, The Cat in the Hat is perfect for engaging children in their first theatre experience. Sally and her brother know from the moment The Cat in the Hat appears at their door with his tall, red and white striped hat that he is the funniest, most mischievous cat they have ever met. With tricks and crazy ideas, he turns a rainy afternoon into an amazing adventure. What will mum find when she gets home? Based on the much loved book by Dr Seuss, The Cat in the Hat is a lively and engaging first theatre experience for young children aged 3+. Expect towering hats, mischief and an imagination recharge!

Pleasance Theatre London

Carpenters Mews, North Road, Islington, London, N7 9EF

PETER PAN AT THE NATIONAL THEATRE LONDON

16 November – 29 December 2016

We all know the story of the boy who would not grow up and this year director Sally Cookson gives an inventive take on the story. Featuring well-loved characters such as Wendy, Captain Hook and Tinkerbell we follow the story as Wendy arrives in Neverland – where Tinkerbell, Tiger Lily and Captain Hook await. This family show (suitable for 7 years+) is a bit sharper than the plenty of pantomime version around this Christmas. A revival of the popular Cookson’s 2012 Bristol Old Vic production, kids will enjoy the subversive, dressing-up box aesthetic.