Unlock the gift of imagination...
The performance and particpation hopes to unlock in each child the gift of imagination outside of the structured learning framework that is both real and positive.
Productions
In our productions we pride ourselves in taking the particpants to a magical world which they can explore and experience in there own unique way.
Click on a production title below to learn more...
Beneath the waves
Take part in an aquatic adventure where you can help...
“I walked beside the evening sea and dreamed a dream that could not be; the waves that plunged along the shore said only:’ Dreamer, dream no more.”
George William Curtis.
...moor the boats, unload the fish, climb aboard, hoist the sails and finally set off on a magical sea voyage where sea life emerges from the strangest of places! For this is no ordinary boat, and these are no ordinary sailors, a mystical sea shanty is sung as you leave port, and soon you will journey beneath the waves!
Accompanied by live music and composed soundscape this wonderful new production from Tell Tale Hearts also incorporates video animation and projection into a beautifully designed show which brings the magic of the underwater world to your fingertips!
For 3 – 7 year olds and their families.Please note because of the participatory nature of the show there is a restriction on audience numbers. Please contact the company for more details.
"Excellent. 'Fishytastic' for both children and adults. We had a whale of
a time from boarding to disembarking."
Richard Oulton, Headteacher Grange Infants.
N.B. A promenade style show lasting approx 50-55 mins Available 2007
| Director/writer: | Natasha Holmes |
| Video artist/Composer: | Michael Szpakowski |
| Designer & maker: | Sophia Lovell Smith |
| Design Assistant: | Jo McFarlane |
| Lighting Design/set construction: | Lars Jensen |
| Performers: | Bill: Katie Matthews / Ted: Simone Lewis / Molly: Louise Clark / Sam: Lars Jensen |
‘Hello - My two year old daughter Iris really enjoyed your beautiful play at 3.30pm at Eureka. She has not stopped talking about Molly and wanted to make a fimo model of a mermaid when we got home. She had wanted to dress up as a mermaid to wear on the train to Halifax that day too. You were all excellent and we were both spellbound, best wishes to you all.’
Rebecca & Iris Palmer.
Beneath the waves - press release
Rumpelstiltskin
Once again Tell Tale Hearts have collaborated with Figment Theatre to produce an enchanting Christmas storytelling show for 5 – 11 year olds and their families (Key stage 1 & 2 for schools).
“Today I bake, tomorrow brew, the next I’ll have the young Queen’s child. Ha! Glad am I that no one knew that Rumpelstiltskin I am styled.”
The Brothers Grimm - 1857.
Based on the famous tale of ‘Rumpelstiltskin’ by the brothers Grimm, this is a story of a simple miller and his hapless daughter, a treasure-obsessed King and a strange impish creature who can spin gold from straw (at a price) – all set in the enchanted woods of Eastern Europe.
Travelling storytellers and musicians weave a comic tale of pride, mystery and greed using puppetry, drama, clowning and live music. Come and join us in the frosty glade as the story unravels!
A 55 minute performance...
- Promotes Drama, Literacy, and Social History
- Links to National Curriculum -Literacy Development, Social History, Art and Excellence and Enjoyment
- Provides a high quality artistic experience in schools
- Actively brings traditional tales to life
- Promotes live music and songs from other cultures
N.B. Touring Christmas 2007
| Designed by: | Jo McFarlane |
| Puppet made by: | Amy Hirst |
| Devised and performed by: | Michael Addison / Natasha Holmes / Maggie O’Keefe |
"It was fantastic!” All the children were amazed by the performance and couldn’t stop talking about how much they enjoyed it!”
Field Lane Junior and infant school.
Rumpelstiltskin - press release
A story for all seasons
A participatory theatre show for KS1 pupils on the cyclical nature of the seasons.
“Now came the autumn. The leaves in the forest turned yellow and brown; the wind caught them, so that they danced about; and up in the air it was very cold. The clouds hung low, heavy with hail and snowflakes, and on the fence stood the raven, crying “croak, croak!”
‘The Ugly Duckling’, H. C. Andersen.
A Story For All Seasons was developed in consultation with a group of children from a primary school in Leeds. Loosely based on Hans Christian Anderson’s ‘The Ugly Duckling’, the mesmerising installations and engaging puppets are accompanied by an inspirational soundscape designed to excite and involve young audiences.
The participation element of the project brings nature into the heart of the experience as the audience physically journeys through the seasons. This show is a wonderful chance for children to discover the rich tapestry of nature together with their teachers and carers as they reach for a rainbow, jump on stepping stones and follow the journey of the ugly duckling through the magical transformation of nature.
A 45 minute highly interactive in the round performance...
- Promotes ‘Excellence through Enjoyment’
- Begins with the ‘sun’ and ends with the ‘moon’ and is compatible with ‘Light and Dark’ curriculum activity
- Allows children to experience the seasons through tactile installations and participation
- Creates a sense of fun around science and nature through game play
- Comes fully equipped and is therefore easy to host
- Delivers a high quality production at an affordable rate
- Includes follow-up teaching activities
“ They were enchanted from the moment they swept onto the set to the second they crept off it. Excellent”
Richard Oulton, Headteacher Grange Infants
N.B. Because of the participatory nature of the experience, each performance has increased impact through personal contact and is restricted to groups of 40.
| Director: | Natasha Holmes |
| Sound designer: | Michael Szpakowski |
| Designer: | Sophia Lovell Smith |
| Technical producer: | Lars Jensen |
| Performers/puppeteers: | Nichola Jennings / Luke Dickson / Pavla Beier |
visit: Online slide show
“An outstanding example of what can be achieved when artistic and educational aims are intrinsically linked in the development of a piece of theatre. The piece is well suited to infant schools, nurseries and community settings and will raise the spirits of everyone who is lucky enough to experience it. We are pleased to recommend this piece without reservation.”
Wes Lawrance, Manager, N E Lincolnshire Council's Music and Performing Arts Service.
The Little Match Girl
A primary Christmas show for KS1 & 2 by Tell Tale Hearts and Figment Theatre.
"As the fireworks finished, the brightest star in the sky suddenly twinkled, flickered and fell to earth like a shooting star. The little match girl sat watching it fall, drawing a long firey tail behind it in the night sky."
Hans C. Andersen .
This version of Hans Christian Anderson’s classic fairy tale, entwined with other visionary tales of hope from cultures around the world, focused on literacy and the ‘Excellence and Enjoyment’ initiative. The aim of the show was to provide high quality artistic experiences and encourage creative learning approaches with a view to improving literacy.
Techniques in storytelling used were puppetry, drama, mask, clown and music.
- Promotes Drama, Literacy, Social History and stories from other cultures
- Links to National Curriculum -Literacy Development, Social History, Art and Excellence and Enjoyment
- Provides a high quality artistic experience in schools
- Allows young children to explore stories form other cultures
- Actively brings traditional tales to life
- A 50 minute performance
| Devised & performed by: | Natasha Holmes / Michael Addison |
"Extremely moving and very effective. Book them now for next year."
KS2 teacher Rotherham.
SpaceHoppers
Watch this space for details of Tell Tale Hearts’ new show: Working title: Space Hoppers!
From the same creative team that brought you ‘Beneath the Waves’ and ‘A Story for all Seasons’.
"The moon had set by now, and the sky to the south was profoundly dark, though the billions of stars lay on it like diamonds on velvet. They were outshone, though, by the Aurora, outshone a hundred times. Never had (…) it been so brilliant and dramatic; with every twitch and shiver, new miracles of light danced across the sky."
‘Northern Lights’, Philip Pullman.
This time Tell Tale Hearts offer little ones the chance to experience their own space odyssey.
Hop aboard, strap yourself in and hold tight as we hurtle off to outer space in a specially designed rocket to take us, bumpety bump, through the milky way and into another solar system!
On the way, we might encounter some strange alien creatures, visit a few planets and catch a ride on a comet!
For 3 – 7 year olds.
A promenade style show available in 2008.
“We were first approached to work with Natasha as part of a ‘Research and development’ project, when TTH visited our nursery to help formulate ideas and concepts for the production. They were accommodating, professional and great fun. The performance pieces in the hall a few weeks later was a fantastic experience for the children, pushing the boundaries of theatre and engrossing very young children and staff alike. We have been constantly impressed with them and would not hesitate to endorse their work.”
Sylvia Archer, Director The Children’s House.