» Features: Early Stages
It’s never too early to introduce children to the joys of going to or taking part in theatre
“Don’t put your daughter on the stage Mrs Worthington” wrote Noël Coward but if his mother had followed that advice the world would have certainly been denied one of the great talents of the 20th century. Coward made his stage debut aged 11 and never looked back. “Sing out Louise,” shouted Rose in the musical Gypsy. She was the archetypal stage mum, a barracking bully living her life vicariously through her daughters.
Thank heavens that things have changed. Today, kids with a calling to tread the boards have better options with training academies and drama groups where their talent can be nurtured. Children can enjoy the social aspects of drama schools and should they discover that they have a real talent, they can enter the profession with a firm grounding in theatre arts and how the business works.
Theatres, too, are embracing the needs of a younger audience with shows that will entertain, educate and embrace youngsters both on and off the stage. A night at the theatre can be a magical and sometimes life-changing experience. Watching a show is only part of the deal. It is equally important to learn how to be the member of an audience, realising that, as in real life, there is no pause button and no rewind.
Here at Latest 7 we are encouraging all those ‘Mrs Worthingtons’ out there to definitely put their children on or in front of a stage.
Theatre Royal Brighton
This award-winning children’s TV show is coming to the stage for the very first time. A wonderful introduction to theatre for children of all ages, Numberjacks offers all the fun, comedy, music and excitement of the much loved TV show.
We join the superheroes as they leave the sofa and embark on their first live adventure, solving problems as they go. Spooky Spoon and Numbertaker will of course be doing their best to get in the way.
The Numberjacks TV series won the Royal Television Society award for best pre-school educational programme for two consecutive years, helping young children learn about numbers, shapes and sizes in a fun and creative way, which makes Numberjacks the perfect Christmas treat!
Theatre Royal Brighton, Sunday 18–Saturday 31 December, £15 adults/£12
children, 0844 871 7650 (bkg fee), www.atgtickets.com/brighton
Pauline Quirke Academy
At the Pauline Quirke Academy they want students to really enjoy their time with them. Modules are about students having fun while building their confidence and self-esteem, expanding their imaginations and learning valuable life skills. Students have hour-long sessions in Comedy & Drama, Musical Theatre and Film & Television, working with specialist tutors in each discipline. There are many performance opportunities, but they don’t like doing shows where only one or two kids get the main parts, so they try hard to ensure that everyone gets an equal chance to perform.
To book a free taster session at Southwick or Rottingdean call 0845 6732022
Summer workshops at The Southwick Centre run from 22–26 August, 10am–4pm, with a performance in the theatre on the last day. Cost: £100 for five days. To find out more and book a place email: julian_mcdowell@msn.com or call 07932 554 049.
Worthing Theatre
Keep the kids entertained this August at Worthing Theatres. Enjoy song and dance excitement in High School Mania, which celebrates the success of teen favourites including High School Musical, Camp Rock!, Hannah Montana and Glee with thrilling routines inspired by the award-winning shows. A new musical adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book will entrance both adults and children alike as it tells the tale of man-cub Mowgli, Baloo the bear, Bagheera the black panther and their adventures in the jungle as they try to reach the man-village and keep Mowgli away from the claws of evil Shere Khan the tiger.
At the end of the month The Mr Men & Little Miss Party Roadshow invites everyone to join them for children’s songs and party favourites – from Little Miss Princess to Mr Bump! Don’t miss the fun!
Call the box office on 01903 206206 for more details.
ACT
The Academy of Creative Training’s Children and Young People’s Theatre has grown considerably over the last two years and is now offering classes in Hove on Friday evenings and Brighton on Saturdays for ages 8 to 18.
Established in 1997, ACT is the only Drama School on the south coast offering professional actor training. They bring the same ethos and expertise from their Adult Actor Training to the Youth Theatre. All students are given equal stage time and the school embraces diversity in terms of ability and experience. As well as developing confidence and the ability to work as part of a team students have the opportunity to develop skills and understanding in creative problem solving, communication, self discipline, tolerance and empathy. The organisation has won best group acted scene in the Springboard Festival two years running and is part of the National Theatre New Connections Festival again this year.
8-10 Rock Place, Brighton BN2 1PF, 01273 818266 www.actbrighton.org
Brighton Dome
With the new Pirates Of The Caribbean film sailing onto DVD next month, and vampires more popular than ever, Vampirates is the best of both worlds!
Based on Justin Somper’s first Vampirates novel, Demons Of The Ocean,
the show for intrepid adventurers aged 9+ uses inventive physical theatre, music, mime, song and narration to play out this engaging adventure.
After twins Grace and Connor Tempest are separated by a violent storm, Connor finds himself on a notorious pirate ship. He soon makes friends, but has he the stomach to be a pirate? Meanwhile, Grace finds herself on a mysterious ship whose crew she sees only at night.
Can Grace and Connor survive life at sea and find their way back to each other? Join them for this swashbuckling adventure with bite.
Sunday 25 September, 11am and 2pm, Pavilion Theatre, Brighton Dome,
£7/5 children, £22 family ticket (2 adults, 2 children) 01273 709709, www.brightondome.org
