Theatre groups and Childcare Vouchers.

These new groups are due to start very soon now, after the half term break and we have lots of plans for them. Parents, you may be interested to read about Busy Bees Childcare Vouchers as we will be participating in this scheme which may be able to help you with fees and childcare expenses. 

During this next half term, leading up to the Summer holidays we will be looking at:

Animals, Fairies, Goblins and Magic Worlds,

where parents are strictly forbidden.

‘Alice’ falls down a rabbit hole, ‘Harry Potter’ finds a magic train station, In the ‘Narnia’ stories children go through a wardrobe to find an exciting new world, In ‘Toms Midnight Garden’ there is a slip back in time and in ‘Dog so small’ it is the imagination that carries the character – How can we explore finding a magical place? Is there a way through to other worlds hidden in the school play ground or some where at home? Where does the normal day become extraordinary? The work this term will be exploring the use of life size puppets in performance and ways to make these.

Whirlwind Theatre is a company that uses puppets and masks as integral to performance and these have included Giant Dinosaurs, Seagulls and birds of all sorts in the past. The young people will be learning styles and techniques including the warm up exercises used by the professional company when working towards a production. 

Whirlwind on the Move

WHIRLWIND THEATRE IS MOVING TO THE STOREY!

Commencing after the summer half-term break (June 09) Whirlwind Theatre is
starting an exciting and fun weekly Youth and Children's Theatre on a
Saturday morning and Monday afternoon (ages 5 -16 years), working towards
performances alongside the professional company - learning about theatre
from the inside out. The company's work is story picture-book  in style,
is inclusive working with all children who want to have a go, teaches
classical theatre and technique, retaining many theatre traditions, has
links with drama schools and the profession and ensures the
performance-based work is of the highest standard. The company has always
prided it self with the highest child protection standards, adhering to
Ofsted regulations. Please book a place as they are limited.

As well as the regular work and shows in September the
company will be starting interactive, traditional story-based
performances, for the under-fives, on a Wednesday morning. You and your
child can become a part of the story, be sly and greedy birds in 'How the Tortoise got his Bumpy Shell' or be a part of a fire breathing dragon in 'George and the Dragon',
make trees grow from the ground, work puppets and learn simple songs.
For booking details please contact the office on  Tel: 07505903229 or
E-mail: Bookings@whirlwindtheatre.org.uk.  Website: www.whirlwindtheatre.org.uk

Autumn Update

Hello everyone.

It may be well after the summer programme now, but Whirlwind are very busy with new plans and projects. Since Brilliant the Dinosaur and after a well earned holiday, Mike and Myette have been putting things together for the forthcoming year.

Newsletters have been sent out to everyone on the mailing list along with an oder form for Brilliant photographs and DVD's. If you have not had one of these and wish to order then please contact the office. Posters from the last four Summer productions are also available at the bargain price of £2.50 each, so why not take a trip down memory lane and order all four? (They look great side by side.) After a slight hitch with the Whirlwind T-Shirts these should now be with everyone who ordered them and are now available to order once more.

If you run an out of school club or youth organisation, have you thought about having whirlwind in to run a session? Sessions can be an hour, half a day or a day, tailored to meet your needs and are variable in price according to length and structure? Why not talk to Mike and Myette and see what they can contribute to your organisation?

Finally, and saving the big news until last. In the New Year Whirlwind are planning to start running sessions for children on a weekly basis. More details will be announced shortly, but keep watching this spce, the website or the facebook group for news of this exciting development.

Brilliant the Dinosaur Photographs.

Photographs from the summer 2008 production can be seen on the website here.

Do have a look and enjoy. There will be news next week about photographs and dvds for sale.

Whirlwind Facebook Group.

For all you internet addicts out there in blogland, Whirlwind now has a Facebook group. Do come over to Facebook and join us and have some fun discussing the up and coming production.

The group can be found by following this link.

Brilliant The Dinosaur - Ticket News

Rehearsals for the summer production are going well and the children are enjoying themselves.

Posters are now going up around town, do look out for them. If you can display a poster, or better still are able to get several displayed in your locality then please contact Mike to request them.

Performances are at The Kings House on Phoenix Street, Lancaster on 13th, 14th and 15th of August at 6.30pm and on 14th August at 2.30pm.

Adults £9.00
Children/Concessions £7.50
Family ticket £28.00
Tickets may be pre-booked online by Credit/Debit card by clicking here.
Tickets may also be available on the door.

Brilliant :- Ready to go...

The summer school, Brilliant the Dinosaur will be starting next Monday, 28th July. Hope you are excited, we certainly are. Here are all the final details and things you may need to know to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Doors open at 9.15am each day, ready for a 9.30am start.

Doors open for collection at 3.20pm, for a 3.30pm finish.

The first day may take a little longer as registration details are checked.

Children will need:
Sensible clothing for physical and messy activities.
Sensible footwear, ie trainers, gym shoes, soft sensible shoes. (NO heels, flip-flops or crocs.)
A named water bottle that can be refilled if necessary.
A healthy packed lunch. (Please avoid nuts and sesame seeds if possible as we have some children who are allergic.)

Water and fruit will be provided during the day, but please feel free to include extra items for breaks.

Please note there is little or no parking on the WhiteCross Estate unless you work there and have your own permit. The most convenient free street parking is outside the hospital.

We look forward to seeing you on 28th and are sure we will have a 'Brilliant' time together.