Below
is an account of one such workshop that took place over 6 weeks with years 5
and 6 at High Littleton primary school.
The classes were
reading Around the World in 80 Days and Next Stage's Artistic
Director Ann Garner devised a related programme of dramatic
activities under the title "All the World's a Stage". Each child had
a specially made passport which showed the countries they were visiting in
their dramatic journey. At the end of each "visit" the pupil's passport
was
stamped ready for them to move on the next week.
The pupils first enjoyed exploring Commedia dell'arte, Pantomime, Greek mask work.
Then they created Shadow Puppet
Theatre during their "visit" to India (click on thumbnail
below to see enlarged image).
On the next leg
of their
dramatic journey around the world, High Littleton pupils found themselves in
Japan! They learnt some basic Japanese and how to make
themselves up and put on costume ready to perform in a Japanese Noh
play.
Finally it was
back to England and a meeting with Will Shakespeare before a
big Showcase at the end of term!
After the
workshop series had finished Next Stage were
very pleased to receive the following feedback from the school:
"Just to say
thank you for your support at High Littleton during this term. The
children loved the activities and I think it's brought Jules Verne's book to
life! Thanks Ann & Co."
For more
information or to book a workshop for your school contact Ann on: 01225
428600, or email:
nextstagebath@aol.com.
After exploring
the 4 elements of earth, fire, air and water, the 4 groups in the photos
below used their new knowledge to improvise scenes drawing on Japanese
culture. Accompanying their work they used rain sticks, drums and
shakers and impressed the Next Stage actors who are now looking to their
laurels!
In the photos below pupils are taking part in a previous week's "visit" to
Greece and performing the myths of Arachne, Hercules,
Medusa and
Persephone.
Collect your
passport and off you go on a dramatic journey around the world.
Discover the
fun and fascination of other countries’ artistic cultures. Re-create the
stories of Cinderella and Puss-in-Boots and the masked myths of Greece.
Learn about shadow puppetry in India and Noh Theatre in Japan. Fly back to
Britain and meet Will Shakespeare, and then present an hour-long showcase
to amaze your fellow pupils, teachers and parents. 
Led by Next
Stage actors and working in small groups, pupils have the opportunity to
develop self-expression, improvised drama, mask work, story-telling,
puppetry, mime, movement and performance skills.
