With half term just around the corner, children and families can look forward to some brilliant live theatre events taking place across Dorset through Artsreach. With a mischievous Monkey, dunderheaded giants and Vikings, a magic beanstalk and some explosive experiments plus workshop opportunities, three fantastic family productions are set to visit ten venues within the County this February half term…
PuppetCraft – ‘Monkey!
Using stunning string puppets, antique shadow puppets and live music, leading UK puppeteers PuppetCraft tell the story of the birth and comic escapades of the much loved trickster and super-hero Monkey. Hatched from a stone egg the mischievous Monkey can fly on a cloud, turn invisible and transform into anything…! Monkey is the main comic character in China’s great classic story Journey to the West, and is still one of the world’s most popular folk heroes, appearing in countless adaptations, from Chinese opera to comic books, even after hundreds of years. Now, inspired by the classic Chinese epic story, the comic adventures of this fantastical superhero are brought to life by one of Britain’s top puppet companies, with a script written by poet Michael Rosen, Children’s Laureate 2007 to 2009. Recommended 4+. Plus, join PuppetCraft for an exciting lantern making workshop before the show. Available at certain venues, enquire when booking.
Sat 13 Feb, 4pm. Winfrith Village Hall. 01305 852117
Sun 14 Feb, 4pm. Cerne Abbas Village Hall. 01300 341332
Mon 15 Feb, 4pm. Martinstown Village Hall. 01305 889202
Tues 16 Feb, 4pm. Durweston Village Hall. 01258 488883
Wed 17 Feb, 4pm. Wootton Fitzpaine Village Hall. 01297 560948
Angel Heart Theatre – ‘Freya, a Viking Saga’
Freya, a Viking girl and friend of the gods, is in a bit of a pickle; she’s about to become a giant’s dinner! Freya must use all her wits to escape old Gorm’s cooking pot. The rivalry between the Norse gods and the Frost Giants is brought humorously to life in this colourful re-telling of two famous Viking myths and Freya’s own saga as Angel Heart and Rattlebox Theatre go ‘a-roving’ together through the Viking world. This delightful family show is full of boisterous gods, dunderheaded giants and the music of the fjords. Recommended 4+.
Take part in a Viking Weapons ‘n’ Warfare workshop!Using an impressive array of reconstructed clothing, armour, weapons and props, including a few genuine Viking artifacts that are over a thousand years old, learn how the Vikings fought and what weapons they used in battle! Workshop spaces limited. Enquire when booking. Suitable for ages 7+
Wed 17 Feb, 4pm. Nether Compton Village Hall. 01935 413220
Thur 18 Feb, 1:30pm. Sturminster Marshall Hall. 01202 650213
Light Theatre – The Magic Beanstalk
Cornish based Light Theatre are touring their sell–out show, The Magic Beanstalk, to venues across Dorset as part of a nationwide tour. Jack, his mum and their cow Daisy are in trouble. Their house is leaking, the phones cut off, there’s no food in the fridge – and they’ve got nits! Something’s got to change and what happens next is an exciting adventure for all girls and boys who believe in magic. Beautiful hand carved puppets and amazing experiments are used to re-tell the classic story of Jack and the Giant who lives through the clouds and over the rainbow. This half term the company arrives in Dorset for three performances, before returning again in March for two final live shows in the County. With a unique blend of theatre and science, The Magic Beanstalk is set to delight and amaze children and families this spring. Suitable 5+
Fri 19 Feb, 4pm. Sixpenny Handley Village Hall. 07751 525200
Sat 20 Feb, 4pm. Morden Village Hall. 01929 459431
Sun 21 Feb, 3pm. Sturminster Newton Exchange. 01258 475137
Fri 11 Mar, 4:30pm. Portesham Village Hall. 01305 871925
Sat 12 Mar, 4pm. Winterborne Stickland Village Hall. 01258 880920
