Readers' tips ... children's theatres
Each week we run a section in the Guardian newspaper's travel section, asking for readers to send in tips on a particular subject. The best tip wins a digital camera courtesy of Jessops. Find out more here.
Winning tip
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The Theatre Of Small Convenience, Malvern
Posted by AJPoth
In among the steep, tangled streets of Great Malvern lies a Victorian lavatory. This may not be the first destination in mind for a child’s day out but ‘The Theatre of Small Convenience’ is the world's smallest theatre. It houses a variety of exceptional and quirky performances such as puppetry, storytelling, poetry and music. The shows are performed on demand every 5-10 minutes and with a seating area for the audience and each production is made very personal and memorable. This is guaranteed to excite and amaze young children.
www.wctheatre.co.uk/
Edith Walk, Malvern, Worcs, WR14 4QH, 01684 568 933
Google map: http://tinyurl.com/yzjwdqb
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The Egg Children's Theatre, Bath
Posted by Shalmo
This is a theatre designed specifically for and partly by children. The program ranges from 0-18 and has some world class companies performing like the recent brilliant Theatre Alibi show 'High Muck-a-Muck'. The staff are very welcoming, very friendly and there is always a buzz when you walk in. It's also a great place to meet friends and family as the cafe operates throughout the day.
Historically, there was a panel of young children along with the board who contributed to the design of the theatre so it has children at the very heart of its program. Simply a brilliant place and deserves to be celebrated.
www.theatreroyal.org.uk/the-egg
Five minute walk from Bath Spa station, next door to the Theatre Royal.
Google map: tinyurl.com/yjdja4m
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Licketyspit Theatre Company, Edinburgh
Posted by wadworth
A theatre company for children that actually does what it says. No clever remarks/jokes aimed at the adults, but instead a clearly understandable story with songs, audience involvement and lots and lots of fun!
Brunton Theatre, Ladywell Way, Musselburgh, East Lothian EH21 6AA
http://www.licketyspit.com/
Google map: tinyurl.com/yjxac77
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Unicorn Theatre, London
Posted by DorcasM
As the UK's first purpose-built theatre for children, the Unicorn is special because of its award-winning plays, its ensemble of talented actors, its great learning and participation programme,its pioneering work for children with disabilities, and its high-quality visiting companies programme.
The Unicorn presents work which challenges, excites and informs a generation of new audiences in a fabulous, award-winning space.
147 Tooley Street, London, SE1 2HZ
www.unicorntheatre.com
Google map: tinyurl.com/yhz4lj8
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Tutti Frutti productions, touring
Posted by milnea
The company’s work is aimed specifically at family audiences (children over three and adults). I help at our local arts centre and every time this theatre group perform I enjoy watching the faces of the children in the audience as much as the theatre. The children (small and large) love it!
You will find more information and current touring dates at:
www.tutti-frutti.co.uk/about
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The Whalley Range Allstars, various venues
Posted by gladysflower
Challenge your world weary kids with the sly, funny and Surreal performances of The Whalley Range All Stars. You’ll need to be on the move around the UK to catch them, as they don’t work from a permanent theatre. Watch out for them at festivals, in foyers, libraries, theatre rooftops, the street, anywhere really.
In ‘Bedcases’ get into bed with four strangers and pull the duvet up under your chins to watch a Magritte inspired, gentle, snoozy dream. One actor, five audience members and three flying ducks. Suckle up to a lactating, pink sow the size of an elephant and enter her body to experience a short theatre piece. Or Pop your head into a box to see ‘Headcase’ a theatre where there’s room for you only. You can’t get any more intimate than this.
But the Allstars don’t always work to such a small scale, their lastest show, ‘Brainwave’ is designed for audiences of two or three hundred with gigantic puppets, animators and a stage within a giant head within a garden shed. The summer seems to be their busy time so keep your eyes peeled and check their website for future sightings.
The Whalley Range All Stars.
Venues vary check the website
www.wras.org.uk
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Children's theatre on rural touring schemes
Posted by siank
It's not one theatre venue, but it is a fantastic way of introducing children to live performance. In their local hall they feel confident, the space is intimate, the performance is close, they feel safe and are able to enjoy themselves. What's more the tickets are cheap and the quality isn't compromised. Kids can talk to the performers afterwards and see sets, props and costumes.
www.artsalive.co.uk
www.nrtf.org
Winning tip
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The Theatre Of Small Convenience, Malvern
Posted by AJPoth
In among the steep, tangled streets of Great Malvern lies a Victorian lavatory. This may not be the first destination in mind for a child’s day out but ‘The Theatre of Small Convenience’ is the world's smallest theatre. It houses a variety of exceptional and quirky performances such as puppetry, storytelling, poetry and music. The shows are performed on demand every 5-10 minutes and with a seating area for the audience and each production is made very personal and memorable. This is guaranteed to excite and amaze young children.
www.wctheatre.co.uk/
Edith Walk, Malvern, Worcs, WR14 4QH, 01684 568 933
Google map: http://tinyurl.com/yzjwdqb
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The Egg Children's Theatre, Bath
Posted by Shalmo
This is a theatre designed specifically for and partly by children. The program ranges from 0-18 and has some world class companies performing like the recent brilliant Theatre Alibi show 'High Muck-a-Muck'. The staff are very welcoming, very friendly and there is always a buzz when you walk in. It's also a great place to meet friends and family as the cafe operates throughout the day.
Historically, there was a panel of young children along with the board who contributed to the design of the theatre so it has children at the very heart of its program. Simply a brilliant place and deserves to be celebrated.
www.theatreroyal.org.uk/the-egg
Five minute walk from Bath Spa station, next door to the Theatre Royal.
Google map: tinyurl.com/yjdja4m
______________________________________________________________
Licketyspit Theatre Company, Edinburgh
Posted by wadworth
A theatre company for children that actually does what it says. No clever remarks/jokes aimed at the adults, but instead a clearly understandable story with songs, audience involvement and lots and lots of fun!
Brunton Theatre, Ladywell Way, Musselburgh, East Lothian EH21 6AA
http://www.licketyspit.com/
Google map: tinyurl.com/yjxac77
______________________________________________________________
Unicorn Theatre, London
Posted by DorcasM
As the UK's first purpose-built theatre for children, the Unicorn is special because of its award-winning plays, its ensemble of talented actors, its great learning and participation programme,its pioneering work for children with disabilities, and its high-quality visiting companies programme.
The Unicorn presents work which challenges, excites and informs a generation of new audiences in a fabulous, award-winning space.
147 Tooley Street, London, SE1 2HZ
www.unicorntheatre.com
Google map: tinyurl.com/yhz4lj8
______________________________________________________________
Tutti Frutti productions, touring
Posted by milnea
The company’s work is aimed specifically at family audiences (children over three and adults). I help at our local arts centre and every time this theatre group perform I enjoy watching the faces of the children in the audience as much as the theatre. The children (small and large) love it!
You will find more information and current touring dates at:
www.tutti-frutti.co.uk/about
______________________________________________________________
The Whalley Range Allstars, various venues
Posted by gladysflower
Challenge your world weary kids with the sly, funny and Surreal performances of The Whalley Range All Stars. You’ll need to be on the move around the UK to catch them, as they don’t work from a permanent theatre. Watch out for them at festivals, in foyers, libraries, theatre rooftops, the street, anywhere really.
In ‘Bedcases’ get into bed with four strangers and pull the duvet up under your chins to watch a Magritte inspired, gentle, snoozy dream. One actor, five audience members and three flying ducks. Suckle up to a lactating, pink sow the size of an elephant and enter her body to experience a short theatre piece. Or Pop your head into a box to see ‘Headcase’ a theatre where there’s room for you only. You can’t get any more intimate than this.
But the Allstars don’t always work to such a small scale, their lastest show, ‘Brainwave’ is designed for audiences of two or three hundred with gigantic puppets, animators and a stage within a giant head within a garden shed. The summer seems to be their busy time so keep your eyes peeled and check their website for future sightings.
The Whalley Range All Stars.
Venues vary check the website
www.wras.org.uk
______________________________________________________________
Children's theatre on rural touring schemes
Posted by siank
It's not one theatre venue, but it is a fantastic way of introducing children to live performance. In their local hall they feel confident, the space is intimate, the performance is close, they feel safe and are able to enjoy themselves. What's more the tickets are cheap and the quality isn't compromised. Kids can talk to the performers afterwards and see sets, props and costumes.
www.artsalive.co.uk
www.nrtf.org