Join The Spark for an evening of hip-hop dance, poetry, lyricism and theatre for children at Curve. Igniting Hip Hop features leading artists taking kids on a journey deep into the heart of hip-hop culture and its African Roots.

On Saturday 12th June Curve will host an exciting event which will showcase the work of students who have worked with inspiring artists to put together their own performance piece. Young people from Leicester and the region are working with acclaimed choreographers Donald Edwards and Miguel Pereira and performance poets Charlie Dark and Dreadlockalien.

Moat Community College in Leicester is working with Olivier Award nominee Donald Edwards and Charlie Dark to produce Igniting Hip Hop. An internationally-acclaimed dancer and choreographer, Donald now lives in Leicester. Charlie Dark is a leading performance poet who travels the globe experimenting with lyrics and music. The project has been led by 2Funky Arts, in partnership with The Spark.

The line-up also includes Dance4 and their International Young People’s Commission from leading Portuguese choreographer Miguel Pereira. The artists and students have been working to the brief to create a narrative through hip-hop dance. There will also be a performance from 2FunkyArts’ ILUVLYRICS youth group, featuring poetry and MCing.

Igniting Hip Hop at Curve will be an exciting adventure into the world of hip-hop dance and lyricism, and a wonderful opportunity to see the work of some of the best artists in the business. The performance begins at 19.30pm. Tickets are just £5 each -to book call Curve on 0116 242 3595.

For more information please visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk, call 0116 261 6893 or email admin@sparkfestival.co.uk

On Saturday 8 May young people from across Cambridge will Takeover The Junction. The day and evening will feature workshops in Comedy, Spoken Word with Luke Wright, DJ workshop, sound and light engineering, and visual arts. The evening features a showcase of local talent, such as drama and dance, youth bands, young DJs and a headline set from Shy FX.

This event allows The Junction to engage with young audiences in a way that they never have never before, giving young people ownership of a venue and allowing them to create a youth programme that mirrors the Junction’s own programme. Thus helping to develop audiences, nurture talent and give vital information on how to meet young people’s expectations.

Check out: www.takeoverthejunction.com for more info.

Hot on the heals of their great success with the Family Theatre Project, Theatro Techis in Camden are launching Youth Theatre an opportunity to give teenagers the chance of staging their own play and learning about the different aspects of a theatre production.

The production will run at the weekends beginning on the 16 January and will culminate in a final performance on 28 February.

Youth Theatre will give teenagers interested in acting, directing, playwriting, lighting, set or costume design the chance to work with industry professionals to put on their own production and learn about the varying theatre roles.

The project is completely free and if you are interested in taking part please contact Theatre Technis by 30 December.

Address: Theatro Technis, 26 Crowndale Rd, N1 1TT, London
Email: info@theatrotechnis.com
Phone : 0207 387 6617

Somewhat based around Stravinsky’s 1911 ballet, Petrushka tells the story of three puppets and their controlling puppet master. The rather mischievous Petrushka, a Russian relative of our own Mr. Punch, is the pride of his masters show – a puppet who can move on his own without any strings. He attempts to escape the clutches of his master but is drawn back out of love for the graceful ballerina puppet. Like Punch, Petrushka has his ancestry in the Italian Commedia dell’arte character of Pulcinella and it is great to see the influence of Commedia in this production with a chorus of Zanni puppets who appear throughout the show to tidy up.

The puppets are gorgeous to look at and the operation is truly outstanding. The three operators Ronnie Le Drew, Mandy Travis and Rebekah Wild are dressed in black velvets allowing them to disappear so one might imagine Petrushka really is moving on his own. The blend between live action and puppet work really brings something special to this production especially with Josh Darcy’s silky voice and perfect meanness as the manipulative puppet master. The action is cleverly choreographed with Stravinksy’s score, played as a piano duet by David Nettle and Richard Markham, and the play is smartly contextualised with some haunting soundscapes and an intelligent lighting design.

Petrushka is visually splendid and like a great Russian novel guides us on emotive tale interspersed with humorous moments, a real treat for adults and children alike to watch over the Christmas period.

Address: The Little Angel Theatre, 14 Dagmar Passage, Islington, N1 2DN
Website: www.littleangeltheatre.com
Email: info@littleangeltheatre.com
Phone: 020 7226 1787

Footsbarn’s Christmas Cracker

For the first time ever, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre will open its doors over the festive season for a Christmas production. Following their Shakespeare Party in 2008, the acclaimed and totally unique Footsbarn Theatre will return to the Globe to present their Christmas Cracker, a family feast of carnival, comedy and Christmas cheer. The production will run for 18 performances between 22 December 2009 and 3 January 2010, with a combination of 11am, 2pm and 5.30pm performances.

Footsbarn’s Christmas Cracker promises a midwinter celebration of London’s rich, bawdy, pagan past, drawing from festive traditions, and inspired by the complete works of Shakespeare. As an open-air venue, the essence of the show will be brevity, with two half-hour acts around an interval, giving plenty of room for mulled wine and hot food in the break.

Shakespeare’s Globe Exhibition and Theatre Tour

Shakespeare’s Globe will also be offering visitors a fascinating introduction to Shakespeare and the London in which he lived and worked. Guests can explore Shakespeare’s London through modern interactive displays, traditional crafts and regular live demonstrations including sword fighting and costume dressings. Included with a ticket to the exhibition is a vivid half-hour tour of the theatre which brings the extraordinary space to life.

A Concert For Winter

On Thursday 10 December everyone is invited to the Globe’s A Concert for Winter, an annual celebration of the Southwark community through song and music. Groups from the Southwark community and from local nursery, primary and secondary schools, will perform in this seasonal concert on the Globe stage arranged by Globe Education.

Address: Shakespeare’s Globe, 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, London, SE1 9DT
Website: http://www.shakespeares-globe.org/
Email: info@shakespearesglobe.com
Phone: General enquiries – 020 7902 1400, Box Office – 020 7401 9919

A South London school has been offered the chance to stage its production of Romeo And Juliet at Riverside Studios this autumn.

Kidbrooke School’s modern adaptation of Shakespeare’s romantic tragedy, which was presented at Greenwich theatre earlier this year, transfers to the Hammersmith venue from 17 – 21 November.

The production uses dance and physical theatre to deal with the themes of the play – knife crime, gang violence and loss of life – in a contemporary and fast-moving style that is relevant to young people today. The cast of 20 students is directed by the school’s Head of Drama Lucy Cuthbertson, a founder member of theatre company Ridiculusmus.

James Haddrell, Director of Greenwich theatre said: “This production, and the news of its London transfer, undoubtedly confirms Kidbrooke School as home to one of the most talented school companies in the country. It is one thing welcoming a school company into their local theatre, it’s something else to take that production and present it for a week elsewhere in London.”

This is not the first time that the work of Kidbrooke School’s drama department has been seen by a wider audience. The school previously collaborated with Greenwich theatre to present an adaptation of Ali Smith’s Hotel World, which was subsequently seen at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Kidbrooke has also participated in the Shakespeare Drama Festival and the National Theatre’s Connections programme.

Romeo And Juliet is suitable for ages 13 and over.

Address: Riverside Studios, Crisp Rd, London, W6 9RL
Website: http://www.riversidestudios.co.uk/
Phone: 020 8237 1111

Written by the celebrated poet John Agard and featuring the music by Stravinsky, the Little Angel Theatre present PETRUSHKA, an an epic tale about a puppet that bends and breaks the rules.

Petrushka is a special puppet living a life without strings, but he yearns for true freedom beyond the control of his puppet master and for love in the arms of his elusive ballerina. Drawing on the anarchic Russian character and using a host of colourful puppets, Little Angel’s Petrushka re-tells this story made so familiar by the Stravinsky-scored ballet and will inspire children and adults alike; it’s for everybody over the age of 5.

Petrushka is directed by Steve Tiplady and Lyndie Wright, with puppets designed and made by Lyndie Wright with Rebekah Wild. There will be a special Russian Gala Night on Friday 11 December with all tickets at £20 and all proceeds to go to the theatre’s Education and Participation programme. Tickets can be booked via the box office.

Petrushka previews on 21 & 22 November and opens on 25 November.

For the younger audience Little Angel will also be reviving their hugely popular show SPLISH SPLASH! from 10 December – 31 January. The story of a little fish on an unexpected adventure in the big wide world was first seen in 2006. The show is suitable for ages 2-5 and there will be baby friendly performances at 10 am on Sundays. Splish Splash! is written by Lyndie Wright, directed by Christopher Leith and the puppets are made by Lyndie Wright and Peter O’Rourke.

Address: The Little Angel Theatre, 14 Dagmar Passage, Islington, N1 2DN
Website: www.littleangeltheatre.com
Email: info@littleangeltheatre.com
Phone: 020 7226 1787

TARA are taking a new angel on the classic tale from The Arabian Nights, this vibrant version of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves is performed by TARA’s young people’s theatre group, ArtsBeat. The production will take place between 11 and 13 November

A cautionary tale of greed, the perfect play to be set against the backdrop of the recession and since this is an up to date story, don’t be surprised when 36 thieves have been struck by swine flu! As if that wasn’t enough mayhem to convince you, would violence, butchery, ghosts and a love story do the trick?

Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves is performed in the style of Commedia dell’Arte a comedic Italian theatre form, which uses masks and physical theatre to depict a set of traditional character types. Belly Dancing and Arabic singing are also thrown into the mix, to provide the audience with a sensory extravaganza and an unbeatable night out.

Arts Beat, TARA’s young people’s theatre group has gone from strength to strength since it’s creation in 2007. Arts Beat has produced imaginative reduced Shakespeare productions of Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Nights Dream, Macbeth and Twelfth Night which were all performed at TARA Studio. Last year Arts Beat also performed in front of thousands of people in Trafalgar square for the Beijing Olympics Torch Relay.

This project was funded by Wandsworth Council and Ideas Tap, which supports young artists aged between 16 and 25.

Wed to Fri 7.30pm
Booking: 020 8333 4457 / www.tara-arts.com
Venue: TARA Studio, 356 Garratt Lane, London SW18 4ES

Theatre-Rites have been producing top quality theatre for younger audiences for 14 years. Their aim is to create work which feeds the imaginations of young people and gives them a memorable theatrical experience and Mischief which has returned for a new tour certainly does that. For full tour dates please see, http://www.mischieftour.co.uk. I caught the show at the Peacock theatre as part of Sadler’s Wells Family Weekend and absolutely loved it.

Mischief is a spellbinding mix of dance, visual art, puppetry, and playful clowning. I never knew just how great foam towers could be.

For a full account of my thoughts on this great show please see my review for Broadway World.

We can’t wait to see more of Theatre-Rites!

The Unicorn theatre have just released a great little video on their website to advertise their upcoming teen season. I’m not going to tell you exactly how to find it, you’ll have to search for the Unicorns yourself.  It’s great to see theatres using new techniques to attract audiences. We’re really excited about the teen season which will have shows for the over eleven and over fourteen age ranges, a dynamic that doesn’t get much in the way of it’s own theatre.

The teen season opens on 13 October and includes three shows:

• Rigged, For 14+ : 13 October – 17 October
• Time for the Good Looking Boy, For 14+ : 17 November – 21 November
• Caucasian Chalk Circle, For 11+ : 25 November – 29 November

Address: Unicorn Theatre, 147 Tooley Street, More London, Southwark, London, SE1 2HZ
Website: www.unicorntheatre.com
Email: admin@unicorntheatre.com
Phone: 020 7645 0560