Themes
Themes
Our performances cover many themes and topics. A few are shown here...
“Climate Change Awareness”
With an environmental expert, we explore the causes of climate change, its effects and what we can do about it.
This workshop addresses common questions and misconceptions that participants may have. Small teams will then create their own shadow puppets & scenes, focusing on their chosen aspect of global warming.
The climax of the workshop is performing the scenes to each other. Participants can video their shows on their mobile phones, to share their messages on social media.
Suitable for all ages from about 9 years old. Can be adapted for different abilities. No previous experience or skills required.
3 minute taster video of our climate workshop
“Stop Bullying”
Workshops ask: What is bullying? Why does it happen? What can we do about it? Following a group discussion participants create their own shadow puppet scenes illustrating their answers to these questions.
For half day workshops we provide puppets, for a full day people can express themselves further by creating puppets in shapes that demonstrate the strong emotions involved.
Following rehearsals, each scene is performed to the group, so that they all benefit from each other’s understanding and experiences.
Feedback from students, following trials with special needs and mainstream schools:
– 74% can imagine more how it feels to be bullied
– 70% are more likely to help someone who is being bullied
– 56% have more sympathy for some bullies
This workshop is suitable for ages 7 years old to adult and can be adapted for different abilities and needs. You can read more about the trials on our News page.
Year 6 students at Hooe Primary School, Devon, creating their own scenes about bullying.
“It makes people understand more what I’ve been through”
– A STUDENT AT HOOE PRIMARY SCHOOL
“Fantastic session that has led to all the children feeling more comfortable talking about bullying”
– SAM, YR 6 TEACHER AT HOOE PRIMARY SCHOOL
“Our Soil is Alive”
This workshop explores the fascinating creatures that live in healthy soil and sees how they are affected by our activities above it.
Participants learn about the incredible, fantastic and microscopic creatures, living beneath our feet. They create their own puppets of beautiful rotifers, sci-fi looking tardigrades, and wiggling worms who perform on pre-made scenery. Here the creatures interact with the external forces that mankind inflicts on them and we see the results.
The content can be extended to encompass wider environmental studies or simplified for young children and special needs.
Families improvise a scene about the environmental impact of intensive farming
“Christmas Wonderland”
A magical scene is set for this festive workshop. Participants make their own puppets and bring them to life on our lush Christmas stage, lit by sparkling coloured stardust. The puppets can frolick to festive music, perform scenes or stories.
Photos can make great personalised email Christmas cards and the puppets original handmade presents.
Suitable for all ages and abilities
“Ho-Ratio”
In a strange and distant land the happy village life is thrown into turmoil by a fire breathing dragon. Their survival threatened, two youngsters, Fizz and Boon, with the help of the audience, use the magic powers of ratio to save the day.
Research into common misconceptions surrounding ratio informs the dialogue. Feisty Fizz confronts her personal fear of maths and discovers that failing is the the pathway to learning. Various ratios are demonstrated in a range of situations, as objects and figures. Comparison to fractions is clearly illustrated.
Audience participation is key to “Ho-Ratio” being a memorable experience and the live dialogue can be adapted to differentiate for learners’ abilities. Filmic production values and an exciting, sophisticated sound track of original grooves will keep all ages entranced and involved with the magic of maths!
Approximate running time 45 minutes.
Key Stage 2 Curriculum objectives:
• Recognise and use the ratio notation a:b
• Calculate simple ratios of quantities
