The Spark Festival Brochure 2013

www.sparkfestival.co.uk

29 May - 9 June 2013

For children 0 - 13 years

Partners

We would like to thank the following for their support

Print Partner

Paper Partner

Festival’s Official Hotel

Family Half Term Fun

Join us during half term for a feast of fun activities across the city, including many free drop-in events and an exciting programme of performances for all the family.

See pages 4 – 15

In & Out of School

Community Partner

Transport Partner

Event Partner - Shiny

The Spark’s second week takes place during term time with work touring to classrooms across the city and shows in theatres for schools audiences. But there is also plenty to see and do outside of school hours for everyone 0-13 years.

See pages 16 – 19

Media Partner

Media Partner

Media Partner

Workshops

As well as performances to enjoy, there are plenty of interactive workshops offering opportunities to be hands-on and creative. Workshops need to be booked in advance.

See pages 14 – 15

Funders

Festival Partner

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First Spark

Equity

spark The festival is the perfect opportunity to introduce babies and toddlers to the arts for the first time. First Spark events have been created especially for under-fives. Look out for the First Spark symbol brochure. seethroughout pages the 4 to 7 first

See pages 6, 11, 13 & 16

Proud to be part of

visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

Venue Information This can be found on page 29.

Welcome Welcome to The Spark Festival 2013. This is our 11th festival and we are very excited to be presenting an exceptional programme of high quality work for children and young people over twelve terrific days from 29 May until 9 June.

Come down to Curve and get involved in free family fun at The Play-ground, our festival hub during half term. Or seek out the many events taking place at other venues across the city.

There are magical shows for all ages from the stunning Snow Queen to groundbreaking work for children with learning disabilities, White Peacock. There is also plenty for under fives to enjoy through our First Spark programme.

At the heart of the festival are our schools and community programmes which bring performances and workshops into classrooms, children’s centres, libraries and parks. There really is something for everyone.

Alongside the festival and tucked behind the scenes, The Spark will be rehearsing for a brand new production of a newly commissioned show for children and families which will be touring into city libraries over the summer holiday. From now on The Spark hopes to see a lot more of you all year round!

We hope you enjoy this year’s festival!

Director

"The Spark does something of national importance. It treats young people as fully entitled members of our culture, and gives them access to performing and visual arts as good as anywhere in the world. It is setting a standard. Every city needs a Spark; Leicester is lucky to have it."

Tim Crouch, award-winning playwright, director, performer and Patron of The Spark

visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

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The Spark and Curve present

The Play-ground at Curve Wednesday 29 May - Saturday 1 June 10am - 4pm

The Play-ground is a treat for all the family in the heart of the city. Spend a day with us over half term – there will be plenty of shows to see and things to do.

All Play-ground activity is absolutely FREE so why not come down and play!

Cardboard City: Help create a cardboard world which will grow and change over four days. Or make your own printed sun with Leicester Print Workshop.

Workshops: Why not join our theatre and dance workshops for a range of ages, or have a go at singing and sitar playing.

Dress Up in outfits from Curve's wonderful costume collection. Choose an elegant evening dress, a policeman's hat; add some shades and a feather boa perhaps?

Spark Bites brings talented local artists to the foyer stage for short performances for children, twice a day.

When it’s time to chill out, settle down with a book or enjoy some story-telling, tucked away in The Book Corner.

A full listing of daily activity is available on our website.

Suitable for: All the family Running Time: 10am - 4pm each day

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Tickets: Free events - workshops need to be booked Venue: Curve 0116 242 3595

visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

free event

Workshops

free event

The workshops are free but have limited places so please call Curve on 0116 242 3595 to book.

A Thousand Suns – Leicester Print Workshop

Thu 30 May & Sat 1 June 10.15am, 11.15am, 12.15pm, 2pm, 3pm Use different techniques to make your own printed suns and suns for the Indian Summer A Thousand Suns installation (for 5+ and families).

Dance 2 Funky Music

Wed 29 12.30pm, Thu 30 10.30am, Fri 31 May 1.30pm, Sat 1 June 1.30pm Dance workshops for 5-8 years with a taste of hip hop, street dance and soca.

Young Arts Workshops

Wed 29 May - Sat 1 June Come and join the fun with a series of exciting workshops for all ages, created by Curve’s Young Arts Entrepreneurs. Workshops include drama, dance and poetry and give children the opportunity to learn in a fun and interactive way. For times and details please visit our website or drop in for daily listings.

A Day of Music with Darbar

Friday 31 May This special event is aimed at all the family and is brought to you in partnership with renowned Indian classical music makers, Darbar.

10.30am (for under 7s) & 11.30am (for ages 7+) Explore voices from the different Indian traditions and join in making a chorus of sounds.

Singing with Tofail Ahmed

1.30pm (for under 7s) & 2.15pm (for ages 7+) Discover the joy of handling the iconic Indian instrument, the sitar, and learn how to make sounds on it yourself.

Sitar with Roopa Panesar

Tickets: £3 per child (Children must be accompanied by an adult, who goes free) Venue: Curve 0116 242 3595

visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

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Leicester Arts & Museums present

free event

Diversions Wednesday 29 May – Sunday 9 June We invite you to explore New Walk Museum & Art Gallery in a totally different way.

You can run, jump, hide, bounce, climb, crawl and play your way through the galleries.

Take a car for a drive, a balloon for a ride, or build a tunnel to reimagine your museum helped by our creative team.

Come along and discover something new every day!

After each workshop has finished all the activities created will be available in the gallery for the public to use in free play sessions, whilst the museum is open.

All children must be accompanied by a parent/carer at all times. Please be aware we will be photographing the activities.

Dates & Times:

Wednesday 29 May - Sunday 2 June 11.00am - 2.00pm Families

Monday 3 - Thursday 6 June 10.30am - 12.00pm Crawlers - 2 years Monday 3 - Thursday 6 June 1.00pm - 3.00pm 3 - 5 years Friday 7 June 10.30am - 12.00pm Crawlers - 5 years

Saturday 8 & Sunday 9 June 11.00am - 2.00pm 8 - 13 years

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Photo courtesy of Mark Burden

Tickets: Free - drop in activities Venue: New Walk Museum & Art Gallery 0116 225 4900

visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

first spark

Phoenix presents

free event

Sparking the Imagination Wednesday 29 – Sunday 2 June 10am - 5pm

A programme packed full of amazing experiences, marvellous activities and family friendly films handpicked for the digital generation.

Come down and get involved with these interactive digital delights!

The Book of Worlds is no ordinary book. As you turn its pages, its tale comes to life around you with pictures, lights and sounds! This incredible interactive artwork takes you on a magical trip into a world where imagination can become real.

Book of Worlds

See your own digital artworks appear before your eyes in this wonderful interactive installation. Graffit! lets you spray colours and shapes across a huge virtual canvas with highly realistic effects. All of the fun with nothing to clear up!

Graffit!

Book of Worlds and Graffit! have been devised by digital artist Luke Woodbury and commissioned by Phoenix for The Spark Festival.

A trio of original, imaginative and very funny interactive artworks. Be a superstar DJ with the Beat Jigsaw, create awesome music and videos with the AV Arcade Table, and take a spin on the Pacbike to save the earth from Alien invaders!

Boredbrands - The Digital Funfair

See pages 12 & 14 for film screenings and other events.

Suitable for: 2+ years Running Time: 10am - 5pm each day

Tickets: Free activities - admission charges for screenings / events Venue: Phoenix 0116 242 2800

visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

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Krazy Kat Theatre presents

Maas Theatre and Dance (Netherlands) presents

The Waving Cat of Japan

Wanted: Rabbit

A tropical storm, a wicked sorceress, a not-so-smart Prince and three tricky tasks to perform before midnight? Yikes!

In Wanted: Rabbit three police officers are looking for a rabbit that has escaped from prison.

Wednesday 29 May 11am & 2.30pm Workshop 1pm

Luckily Maneki Neko, the waving cat, is on hand to try to help in this visually exciting new Japanese-style fantasy with actors, puppets, music and magic tricks.

With fully-integrated sign language throughout.

Workshop A hands-on, moving about workshop - come and be an actor for a while, and learn some new fun communication skills with mime and movement. Free if booked with show (limited places).

Suitable for: 3-7 years Running Time: 50 mins (workshop 45 mins) Tickets: £7 / party of four £25 Venue: Embrace Arts 0116 252 2455

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visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

Wednesday 29 May 11.30am, 1.30pm & 3.30pm Thursday 30 May 10.30am, 1.30pm, 3.30pm

You see, rabbits don’t play by the rules. They dig holes without asking permission, eat carrots that they haven’t paid for, make a mess in the street and, even though they have big ears, don’t listen.

During the chase, rabbits appear across the miniature city. Eventually the city is overrun by rabbits and even the police chief starts to grow rabbit ears! Will you help us solve this case?

Suitable for: everyone from 3 to 13 and over!

Running Time: 40 mins Tickets: £5 Venue: Curve 0116 242 3595

Trestle Theatre presents

M6 Theatre Company presents

The Snow Queen

Mavis Sparkle

After a freak snowstorm on the southern tip of India, Kumar is captured by the formidable Snow Queen.

With a Magician for a dad and a Stargazer for a mum, no wonder there’s more to Mavis than meets the eye!

Wednesday 29 May 1pm & 7pm Thursday 30 May 11am & 4pm

From the burning heat of southern India, through lush backwaters, glitzy Bollywood and desolate bandit country Gowri, our brave heroine, sets out to rescue him. Will Kumar be trapped forever in the deathly cold of everlasting winter?

Or can his closest friend find a way of melting the Snow Queen’s frozen heart?

A brand new version of Hans Christian Andersen’s magical tale by Anupama Chandrasekhar.

After-show discussion Wed 29 May after 1pm performance Family Workshop Thu 30 May 1.30 - 3.30pm £5 BSL Performance Thu 30 May 4pm Suitable for: 6+ years Running Time: 1 hour 50 mins (incl interval) Tickets: £8 Venue: Curve 0116 242 3595

Thursday 30 May 11.30am & 2.30pm

With a feather duster in one hand and a few tricks up her sleeve, Mavis is on a journey north to see nature’s biggest light show with her own eyes. With a little help from her cheeky cuckoo clock, mischievous mop bucket and a nice cup of tea, Mavis moves ever closer to making her dream come true.

M6’s cosmic new production mixes illusion, animation and laughter inspiring us all to dust away doubts, follow our dreams and reach for the stars!

Suitable for: 5+ years Running Time: 45 mins

Tickets: £5 Venue: The Guildhall 0116 253 2569

visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

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Ailie Cohen presents

Cloud Man

Friday 31 May 11am & 2pm

Cloudia has always had her head in the clouds. She is a cloud expert and all of her life she has dreamt of seeing a Cloud Man – an extremely rare creature who lives a quiet life high up in the sky.

Follow the clues to the very top of Cloud Mountain where the views are always surprising. If you are lucky, you may see something very special indeed.

“..a deceptively simple story that will melt even the flintiest of hearts” The List, Edinburgh Fringe 2011

Suitable for: 4 - 7 years Running Time: 45 mins

Tickets: £6 children, £7 adults Venue: Loughborough Town Hall 01509 231914

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visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

PW Productions Ltd & Nick Brooke Ltd In association with Haddock Productions

Spot's Birthday Party Friday 31 May 1.30pm & 4.30pm Saturday 1 June 10am & 12.30pm

Adapted & directed by David Wood, based on the books by Eric Hill.

It's Spot's birthday, it's party time - and you're invited! All Spot's friends will be here; Steve the Monkey, Helen the Hippo and Tom the Crocodile plus Spot's mum and dad, Sally and Sam. Special guest Marco the Rabbit Magician will be here too, ensuring there's never a dull moment.

Join in the fun as music, songs, games and stories create theatrical magic to capture everyone's imagination.

"David Wood is simply the most popular children's dramatist there is" BBC Radio 4

Suitable for: 2+ years Running Time: 55 mins

Tickets: £12 (£8.50 groups 10+, plus each group of 10 gets 1 ticket free) Venue: Curve 0116 242 3595

Frozen Charlotte presents

Tangere Arts and Royal Exchange Theatre present

Paperbelle

A Thousand Slimy Things

Paperbelle’s world is black and white and she likes it that way. She’s heard of colour; but would prefer things to stay as they are. The colours, on the other hand, want to play games and they want Paperbelle to join in.

Paperbelle’s world is changing – will she try to stop it or might she find it’s not as bad as it first seemed…?

A wedding, a party, a perfect day. What could possibly go wrong?

Friday 31 May 11.30am & 1.30pm Saturday 1 June 10am, 11.30am & 1.30pm

Paperbelle is a gentle and playful exploration of colour set in a magical world of paper.

Relaxed Performance Fri 31 May 1.30pm for children with disabilities and their families.

Stay and play in the Arts Bar and create your own Paperbelle puppet, bunting and loads more.

Suitable for: 2 - 5 years Running Time: 45 mins

Tickets: £7 each / party of 4 £25 Venue: Embrace Arts 0116 252 2455

first spark

Friday 31 May 6.30pm Saturday 1 June 2.30pm & 6.30pm

Beware! The Ancient Mariner is here and will be heard!

Listen to his tale of doom and destruction, that takes you deep down to the murky depths of your imagination. Will you dare to follow him? And if you do, will you ever be the same again?

Coleridge's classic poem is transformed into a gothic adventure, awash with live music, songs and highly physical comedy by Tangere Arts.

"The excellent Tangere Arts... a distinctive mix of storytelling, physical theatre, and live music" **** The Guardian

Suitable for: everyone from 9 - 13 and over!

Running Time: 50 mins Tickets: £8 Venue: Curve 0116 242 3595

visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

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Get Involved Limited presents

Loughborough Town Hall presents

Bigmix Theatre presents

Shlomo’s Beat Box Adventure for Kids

Anne Fine’s Literature Lab

The Lost Child

Shlomo is a world record-breaking human beatboxer, which means he can make all kinds of music using just his mouth and a microphone.

Come on a journey with this sonic superhero and become one of his sidekicks. This dynamic world of funny sound effects, brilliant noises and cool music will make you smile whatever your age.

The Literature Lab is an exciting experience for the budding storyteller, inspired by an opportunity to meet and talk to multi award winning author Anne Fine, who has written over 50 books for children including Google-Eyes, Flour Babies and Bill’s New Frock.

Friday 31 May 3.30pm

“He's like a one-man Hollywood film soundtrack” The Times

Suitable for: 5+ years Running Time: 1 hour

Tickets: £5 children, £7 adults Venue: The Y 0116 255 7066

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Saturday 1 June 11am & 2pm Free Book Signing with Anne Fine 3.20pm-4pm.

Charnwood Arts will follow up this talk with a creative writing workshop with local storyteller Hema, who simply makes telling tall tales extraordinarily fun!

Suitable for: 7+ years Running Time: 1 hour 20 mins

Tickets: £6 children, £7 adults Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Venue: Loughborough Town Hall 01509 231914

visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

Saturday 1 & Sunday 2 June 11am and 2pm

When Rowan disappears, her father the Tinker sets off on a magical journey to find her, encountering many strange and wonderful creatures along the way!

Bigmix Theatre are an emerging company in residence at Phoenix. Their brilliant adaption of this charming story blends traditional theatre with digital animation to create a delightful performance which is funny, wonderfully weird and just a little bit scary!

Suitable for: 3 - 10 years Running Time: 50 mins

Tickets: £3.50 Venue: Phoenix 0116 242 2800

Photo: Teresa O’Neill

tutti frutti productions presents

Turned On Its Head presents

Hue Boy

Shiny

Hue Boy has a problem that everyone is talking about... he is small and doesn’t seem to be growing “at all, at all”. His family and the villagers all have their opinion on what he should do and his school friends tease him. But still he does not grow. Until one day Hue Boy understands what it is to be tall despite his height.

Join dancers from Turned On Its Head for their new interactive show for children. Set in the 1940s, their journey takes us from a dusty cinema store room to the dazzling world of the movie stars... to a place where everything shines and sparkles. Watch with amazement as all that glitters unfolds before your very eyes.

Saturday 1 June

This heart-warming storytelling performance transports you to a Caribbean village where tutti frutti bring to life this delightful book by Rita Phillips Mitchell.

Community Event Partner John Lewis, Leicester Suitable for: 3 - 7 years Running Time: 40 mins

Saturday 1 June 10.30am Venue: John Lewis, Leicester Tickets: FREE Call: 0116 261 6893

Saturday 1 June 2.30pm Venue: African Caribbean Centre Tickets: £1.50 Call: 0116 221 1793

Sunday 2 June 10.30am & 2pm

Suitable for babies sitting independently to children under 4 years.

“A magical hour full of revelations. The children were delighted and engaged.”

Mum of Jasmine aged 3.

Funded by ACE Grants for the Arts and supported by Dance4, Embrace Arts & The Spark Suitable for: 6 months - 4 years Running Time: 1 hour

Tickets: £7 / party of 4 £25 Venue: Embrace Arts 0116 252 2455

first spark

Shiny will also be touring to Leicester children’s centres see page 21.

visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

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workshop

Phoenix Films

Wednesday 29 May - Sunday 2 June Visit www.phoenix.org.uk for screening times

From up on Poppy Hill The story of two high school students, Umi and Shun, and the budding romance that develops as they try to save their school’s ramshackle clubhouse from demolition.

Wolf Children Hana must raise her two children, Ame and Yuki, whilst hiding a dark and magical secret – they are wolf children. One day Hana decides to retreat to the countryside where her children can choose: do they want to grow up to be humans or wolves?

The Day of the Crows Deep in the forest, a boy and his father lead a wild life, with the forest spirits their only companions. One day, the boy discovers a village where he meets a young girl and falls in love.

These charming animations from Japan and France have been specially chosen for the festival.

Suitable for: 8+ years

Tickets: £5.90 adults £5.25 children Venue: Phoenix 0116 242 2800

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visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

DigiKids

1 day workshop

Wednesday 29, Thursday 30 & Friday 31 May 10am - 2.30pm daily A media production course to give a taste of music-making, film and computer programming. The day will be split into three workshops:

Music production: offering a ‘hands on' opportunity to produce your

own music track and using computers to manipulate sound.

Film production: developing ideas using imagination and fun performance based methods.

Digital Media: learning how to use basic programming tools to

experiment and play with film and sound.

Throughout each workshop, the emphasis is on having fun and expressing your own ideas.

Suitable for: 7+ years

Tickets: £25 Venue: Phoenix 0116 242 2800

workshop

workshop

Photo: Ketan Arya

workshop

Ju Ju Beats presents

DJing & Turntablism Urban Art Workshop Workshop Wednesday 29 May 11am

Learn how to mix and scratch your favourite songs, with Gra Roberts, a local musician and DJ. This workshop will use a variety of equipment including vinyl on turntables and DJing software.

Perfect for young aspiring DJs or children who just want to have a go. (Limited places)

Suitable for: 8 - 13 years Running Time: 2 hours

Tickets: £6 from The Spark office 0116 261 6893 Venue: The Workshop@Pedestrian

Drumming and Dance Workshop

Thursday 30 May 11am

Explore how to draw graffiti art lettering using professional paint pens and materials.

Friday 31 May 11am

Participants will create individual designs using inspiration from other artists. They will then transfer their favourite design on to a canvas to take away with them.

Please come in suitable clothing for getting messy!

Suitable for: 8 - 13 years Running Time: 2 hours

Tickets: £10 including materials -

from The Spark Office 0116 261 6893 Venue: The Workshop@Pedestrian

Celebrate and create African rhythms with an invigorating mix of drumming, percussion, singing and dance! The workshop is led by Zimbabwean percussionist and choreographer Owen Ncube.

Whether a complete beginner or experienced, this is a fun way for children and families to learn rhythms together to build confidence, co-ordination and creativity. Some drums and percussion instruments will be provided, but please bring your own if you have one!

Suitable for: 5+ and their adults Running Time: 2 hours Tickets: £5 children, £6 adults Venue: The Y 0116 255 7066

visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

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La Baracca (Italy) presents

Birmingham Stage Company presents

My Bright Friend Spot

James and the Giant Peach

I’m the yellow of the sun, the dark blue of the sea and the pale blue of the sky; I’m the red of a fire; I’m a brightly-lit street; I’m a party.

By Roald Dahl, adapted by David Wood.

Monday 3 June 1pm Tuesday 4 June 10.30am & 1pm

Oh...now I’m dark! You can’t see me anymore! But you can listen to my breathing...

I am Spot and I tell stories.

“Spot” is a very unusual stage light. It expresses itself by drawing shapes and colours on the floor. With lights, sounds, movement and simple words, this magical new show by innovative Italian company La Baracca is a visual treat for very young children.

Suitable for: 1-4 years Running Time: 40 mins plus 10 mins stay & play Tickets: £5 Venue: Curve 0116 242 3595

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visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

first spark

Tuesday 4 June 7pm, Wednesday 5 & Thursday 6 June 10.30am & 1.30pm, Friday 7 June 10.30am & 7pm, Saturday 8 June 2.30pm & 7pm James lives with Aunt Sponge and Aunt Spiker, the most revolting Aunts in England. They make him work and slave and never let him play with other children.

Then one day he meets a mystical old man who gives him a bag that contains the strongest magic the world has ever known. When James accidentally spills the bag near an old peach tree, the most incredible things start to happen – and James embarks on the adventure of a lifetime with the most amazing group of characters you could ever meet!

After-show discussion Thu 6 June after 1.30pm show Roald Dahl’s Peach Party Sat 8 June 12pm - 2pm £3 Suitable for: 4+ Running Time: 1 hour 50 mins including interval

Tickets: £10.50, £12.50, £14.50 (£10 groups 10+, plus 2 free tickets for groups 20+) Venue: Curve 0116 242 3595

Bombastic Dance presents

The Magic Doors Wednesday 5 June 10.15am & 1pm

These aren’t just any old doors, they are Magic Doors that open to reveal fantastical worlds and surprising creatures. Imagination is the key that unlocks the secrets behind these doors.

Bombastic specialises in creating fun-filled innovative theatrical experiences for young people combining dance-theatre and animation.

School Workshop Package Dance workshops to complement the Key Stage 1 curriculum available Monday 3 & Tuesday 4 June.

Please contact Tim Ford on 0116 242 3560 for more information.

Suitable for: 4 - 7 years Running Time: 50 mins

Tickets: £5 Venue: Curve 0116 242 3595

Travelling Light Theatre Company presents an East London Dance, Sadler's Wells and Stratford Circus Production

Varmints

Friday 7 June 1pm & 6.30pm

There was once only the sound of bees and the wind in the wiry grass, the low murmuring of moles in the cool dark earth, and the song of birds in the high blue sky.

This exhilarating new dance-theatre show tells the poignant tale of one small creature’s struggle to preserve a world in danger of being lost forever. Every day the city grows larger and the noise grows louder, until there is so much noise that no-one can hear themselves think.

Based on the award-winning book by Helen Ward and Marc Craste, with the permission of Templar Publishing.

Suitable for: 8+ years Running Time: 1 hour

Tickets: £8 Venue: Curve 0116 242 3595

visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

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Nottingham Playhouse Roundabout presents

Graffiti Classics presents

White Peacock

Graffiti Classics

In the moonlit garden, dip your feet in the pond, lie under Sam’s favourite tree, shelter in his den from the storm. Share the tingle of excitement of a first kiss, and discover something amazing about the white peacock.

16 strings, 8 dancing feet and 4 voices with 1 aim: to shake the dust off classical music and enable kids to enjoy and develop their own musicality with fantastic flair, finesse and frivolity.

Saturday 8 June 10.15am & 1.30pm

White Peacock is a participatory play for audiences of just six young people with learning disabilities and six companions. It is performed in a purposebuilt micro-theatre, and offers a unique experience rich in action, colour, sound, touch and emotion.

Schools Performances Thu 6 June 1.30pm & Fri 7 June 10am, 11.30am, 1.30pm Call 0116 252 3037 for more information.

Suitable for: 11+ years with profound learning disabilities and autism Running Time: 50 mins Tickets: £5 (Max 2 adults per child) Venue: Embrace Arts 0116 252 2455

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visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

Saturday 8 June 11am

Graffiti Classics bursts the boundaries of the traditional string quartet, making classical music fun for youngsters with its scintillating slapstick, brilliant arrangements and mischievous humour.

A truly interactive show where the children simply can’t resist joining in, singing, dancing and making music.

Suitable for: 5+ years Running Time: 75 mins

Tickets: £5 children, £7 adults Venue: The Y 0116 255 7066

Tangere Arts presents

Pif-Paf presents

Hood in the Wood

Honey

Written by Noel Greig

“Yes” thought little Red,” but sometimes very boring too!”

Journey into bee reality! Enthusiastic bee guides Bombus and Borage invite you on an unforgettable trip into their giant bee hive… witness the birth of the Queen Bee, see giant pollen and fly deep into the heart of a flower. There’s only one problem: where are the bees?

Join us for an exciting storytelling performance, an adventure with live music, lots of laughs (and some scary moments too!).

Performed in a special ‘hive’ in the park, the show blends puppetry, song, dance, crazy mechanical pollination machines, and animation in an intimate interactive performance for bee explorers of all ages.

Saturday 8 June 11am & 3pm

“Mother’s place is safe and sound”

Granny’s house deep in the middle of the woods seemed far more enticing - but what about the dangers that lurked there? The darkness?

The creatures of the night? And the famous wolf? Did he really exist?

Suitable for: 7 - 11 years Running Time: 45 mins Tickets: £2 (Library members: adults free, children £1)

Saturday 8 June 11am Venue: Beaumont Leys Library Call: 0116 299 5460

Saturday 8 June 3pm Venue: Hamilton Library Call: 0116 221 2790

Saturday 8 & Sunday 9 June 11am, 11.45am, 2.15pm & 3pm

Will Bombus’s mechanical inventions save the day or will Borage be able to convince him that we need to nurture nature?

Waggle Dance Workshop at 12.30pm Join us to explore the intricacies of bee communication.

Suitable for: 3+ years Running Time: 35 mins

Tickets: Free event - limited places (first come first served).

Venue: Saturday 8 Abbey Park & Sunday 9 June Knighton Park

free event

visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

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The Spark presents

Schools Programme Monday 3 - Friday 7 June

The Spark’s programme for schools is at the heart of the festival. We bring performances and workshops into Leicester’s schools and we offer special shows in the city’s theatres just for schools audiences.

As well as being a lot of fun, these performances are a powerful teaching tool, stimulating a wealth of classroom activity across the curriculum. The productions presented as part of the festival are supported by resources for teachers. Some also offer practical workshops led by the performers themselves.

Adopt a School

Local businesses can help by adopting a school and ensuring that children can access the festival by subsidising theatre trips for children.

Adopt a School is designed to encourage partnerships between local businesses and schools and a range of packages are available.

We would like to thank Kirby & West for adopting our first school, King Richard III Infants.

Please call 0116 261 6893 for more information.

Transport Subsidy

Take them on a trip!

As well as performances in schools we encourage school groups to visit festival venues. This year’s shows can be found on pages 16 - 18.

To support schools and make these visits as accessible as possible, venues offer one free ticket for every ten pupils, for most shows.

Venues can also provide a designated space for school parties to eat packed lunches.

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visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

For the second year Woods Coaches is the festival’s transport partner and will be offering a discount of £50 to schools in Leicester and Leicestershire travelling to Spark shows.

Established in Leicester in 1950, Woods Coaches has grown in size and reputation over the years to become the leading coach operator in the area.

Please call The Spark office on 0116 261 6893 for your discount code.

Photo: Teresa O’Neill

At Your School

This year schools will be visited by Hood in the Wood, Hue Boy, Graffiti Classics and Rumpelstiltskin.

Schools include: Alderman Richard Hallam Primary School Folville Junior School Holy Cross Catholic Primary School Humberstone Infant School Mellor Community Primary School Montrose Primary School Mowmacre Hill Primary School Northfield House Primary School Sandfield Close Primary School Sir Jonathan North Community College

Hiccup Theatre presents

Turned On Its Head presents

Rumpelstiltskin

Shiny

He's sneaky, He's cheeky, He's…

Rumpelstiltskin!

This new interactive dance show set in the 1940s takes us from a dusty cinema store room to the dazzling world of the movie stars... where everything shines and sparkles. Watch with amazement as all that glitters unfolds before your very eyes.

Follow the troubled Miller’s daughter as she tries to outwit the greatest trickster of them all…

Straw turns to gold, and magic and mayhem are in the air. Before the sun rises will our brave heroine be able to solve the riddle and save the day or will rotten Rumpel double cross her?

Hiccup Theatre spin live music, puppetry and mischievous storytelling into a golden new version of this classic fairytale by acclaimed, Olivier award winning writer Mike Kenny.

Venue: Rumpelstiltskin will be

performing in schools as part of the “At Your School” programme

Wednesday 5 - Friday 7 June

Suitable for babies sitting independently to children aged 4 years.

Event Partner: Western Power Distribution

Free performances for families registered at the following Sure Start children’s centres; please contact your centre for more information.

Beaumont Leys & Stocking Farm Northfields & West Humberstone Rowley Fields Saffron, Lansdowne & Eyres Monsell St Saviours

first spark

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Get in touch Share Your Spark Experience

We love to hear all about what you’re getting up to during the festival.

Please share your photos, comments, reviews and suggestions with us: Email us: admin@sparkfestival.co.uk SparkArtsFestival Like our page to find out more about the festival and to get updates. @thesparkarts Follow the excitement during the festival and tweet us with your thoughts and feedback.

Drop us a line: The Spark Festival, LCB Depot, 31 Rutland Street, Leicester LE1 1RE.

Strike a pose Win a prize!

Take a photo of your youngsters with their 2013 Spark brochure for a chance to win a fab family prize. The Spark and the Leicester Mercury are running an Instagram competition to build up a gallery of Spark fans and the best photo will win a fantastic prize package.

Upload your pictures to Instagram and tag your photos #mercuryspark.

To find out more visit www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/ mercuryspark

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visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

The Spark Newsroom

For the second year running, young reporters from Takeover Radio join forces with BBC Radio Leicester to bring you daily Spark bulletins.

They'll be out and about recording shows, talking to audiences, visiting venues and artists.

They want to hear your views, share your festival experiences and keep you up to date with forthcoming events.

Thanks to our media partners Takeover Radio and BBC Radio Leicester for supporting this project.

Tune in to BBC Radio Leicester on 104.9FM and Takeover Radio on 103.2FM Listen online at www.takeoverradio.com www.bbc.co.uk/radioleicester

Libraries Tour

Arts Award

This spring The Spark commissioned playwright and poet Joseph Coelho to create a new piece of theatre for the children and families of Leicester. Created in collaboration with young people from Spinney Hill and Hazel Primary Schools, this play will be professionally produced and will visit city libraries over the summer holiday.

The Spark is a fantastic opportunity for children and young people to explore the richness and diversity of art and culture and an easy way for schools to kick start their engagement with two new Arts Award qualifications for beginners.

15 July - 2 August

This new performance will form part of the summer reading programme. To find out more about dates, venues and ways to get involved visit our website.

More information at www.thesparkarts.co.uk

The Mighty Creatives is the Arts Council’s East Midlands Bridge organisation. They are dedicated to helping more children access more great creative opportunities more of the time.

Discover and Explore programmes are fun, flexible and self-assessed by your school’s Arts Award Adviser. If you would like to know how The Mighty Creatives can support your school please email bridge@themightycreatives.com.

www.artsaward.org.uk

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The original, largest and still the best network of performing arts schools in the world.

Nurturing and developing young people’s potential through through dance, dance, peoples potential drama and singing.

For 4-18 year olds, after school, at weekends and holiday workshops.

0116 232 1444 leicester@stagecoach.co.uk www.stagecoach.co.uk/leicester

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visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

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Fundraising is Vital to The Spark We couldn’t do it without you Together with the support of generous individuals, businesses and grant makers who gave their time, expertise and money we are able to bring The Spark to thousands of children and their families each year.

As The Spark is a registered charity we need you to keep supporting us.

Getting involved is child's play. Here are some ways that you or your business can protect vital arts experiences for children.

Shine for The Spark

Fill in and return the standing order form (opposite). Our friends at Boden have offered £50 in clothing vouchers to a lucky prize draw winner if you return the form by 31 July 2013.

Or you can donate by text to 70070 with the words SPAR10 and the amount £5 or £10.

Adopt a School

A big thank you to our donors...

Thank you to all businesses, organisations and individuals who have made donations to support this year’s festival, including:

• Joanna McKenna • J.P. Boden • Kathleen Patterson • Kirby & West • MAS architecture Ltd • Mellor Community Primary School • Next PLC • Provincial Grand Chapter of • Leicestershire and Rutland • Upstage Theatre Supplies Ltd • Wyvern Primary School

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visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

Work in or around Leicester? Your company can sponsor a school from £450 to ensure children can access the magic of the theatre through a school trip.

Join Our Young Business Network

This year we launched The Spark’s Young Business Network with maber architects. This offers young businesses a chance to take part in creative networking events and access a range of unique member benefits.

Challenge

Take part in a personal challenge and raise money for The Spark. Shave your head or run the London Marathon (or both).

We can help you with the sponsorship and have a number of helpful suggestions to get you started.

Get in touch

If you're not sure where to start or have your own ideas about how you'd like to help, please get in touch with us. Email fundraiser@sparkfestival.co.uk or call 0116 261 6893.

Support The Spark Please give a regular gift to The Spark and make a difference throughout the year.

Standing Order Form

To set up a regular standing order donation please complete this form and return to: The Spark LCB Depot, 31 Rutland St, Leicester, LE1 1RE Please do not send this form to your bank.

Title:

First name:

&

£50

£10

£100

Other £

Other £

monthly

annually

Fill in and return this form to The Spark by 31 July 2013 to be entered in the draw for £50 Boden voucher.

Gift Aid

(address of bank/building society)

If you are a taxpayer, you can make your donation worth more with Gift Aid. For every pound you give to us, we get an extra 28p from the Inland Revenue.

All you need to do is check the statement below and tick the box.

Make your donation worth almost a third more at no extra cost to you.

Address

To qualify for Gift Aid, what you pay in income tax or capital gains tax must at least equal the amount we will claim in the tax year.

I declare all gifts of money that I’ve made to The Spark in the past 6 years and all future gifts of money that I make from the date of this declaration are Gift Aid donations

Name(s) of account holder(s)

I would like to make a regular gift via standing order of:

Enter the PRIZE DRAW

(name of bank/building society)

Bank or Building Society Account No:

Postcode

OR

To: The Manager

Branch sort code:

Address

£5

Bank Details

Postcode

Surname:

£3

Instruction to your bank or building society to pay standing orders.

Please notify us if you want to cancel this declaration, change your name or home address or no longer pay sufficient tax on your income and/or capital gains.

Data Protection

Signature(s)

Signature(s)

Date:

And thereafter the same sum instalments to Santander, Bootle Branch, bank account 74135189 sort code 09-01-55 in the name of The Spark Children’s Arts Festival.

The information provided is for the use of The Spark for the purpose of charitable activities and, when appropriate, marketing in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. Information will not be shared with any third party without your consent for us to do so.

We would like to keep you up to date with information about our fund raising appeals and our charitable work.

Please tick here if you would prefer for us not to contact you by post.

visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

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visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

Venues Abbey Park

Abbey Park Road Leicester LE4 5AQ African Caribbean Centre

Maidstone Road Leicester LE2 0QA To book call: 0116 221 1793 or visit the centre

Maidenwell Avenue Leicester LE5 1BL To book call: 0116 221 2790 or visit the library

New Walk Museum and Art Gallery

53 New Walk Leicester LE1 7EA Tel No. 0116 225 4900

Visit Leicester Information Centre 51 Gallowtree Gate, Leicester LE1 5AD

The Guildhall

Phoenix

www.visitleicester.info

Hamilton Library

Ticket office: 0116 253 2569 Guildhall Lane Leicester LE1 5FQ

Beaumont Leys Library

Beaumont Way Leicester LE4 1DS To book call: 0116 299 5460 or visit the library

John Lewis, Leicester

Highcross Shopping Centre Leicester LE1 4SA Call 0116 242 7182 for more information

Curve

Ticket office: 0116 242 3595 Rutland Street Leicester LE1 1SB www.curveonline.co.uk

Knighton Park

Palmerston Way Leicester LE2 3RR Loughborough Town Hall

Embrace Arts

Ticket office: 0116 252 2455 Richard Attenborough centre Lancaster Road Leicester LE1 7HA www.embracearts.co.uk

Ticket office: 0116 242 2800 4 Midland Street Leicester LE1 1TG www.phoenix.org.uk

Ticket Office: 01509 231914 Market Place, Loughborough Leicestershire LE11 3EB www.loughboroughtownhall.co.uk

The Workshop@Pedestrian LCB Depot 31 Rutland Street Leicester LE1 1RE To book call: The Spark 0116 261 6893 The Y

Ticket office: 0116 255 7066 7 East Street Leicester LE1 6EY www.ytheatre.co.uk

More Information

Telephone: 0844 888 5181 or

0116 299 4444

Getting to the Venue:

Directions to each venue are available from the venue themselves. They are also able to advise about car parking and any special requirements you may have.

Or visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to see map links for each venue.

Travel Line: 0871 200 2233 National Rail Enquiries: 0845 748 4950 Park & Ride Meynell’s Gorse (Leicester Forest East), Enderby and Birstall.

Special family rate £3.50 for a Group Ticket (up to 5 people), under 5s travel for free. www.quicksilverbus.co.uk

Somewhere to stay

Contact the Festival’s Official Hotel for information about their family deal.

The Belmont Hotel De Montfort Street, Leicester LE1 7GR 0116 254 4773

visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

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For more information about all festival events please contact The Spark on 0116 261 6893, or go to www.sparkfestival.co.uk

Age Recommendations

To ensure everyone has the best possible experience please follow the suggested age suitability guidelines. Also it’s usual for everyone to need a ticket or have a place reserved but if you are unsure please check with the venues when booking.

Unaccompanied Children

All shows, events and workshops are designed for children under 13 to be accompanied by an adult, unless otherwise stated.

Booking Tickets

Thanks to:

All at Curve, Embrace Arts, The Y, Phoenix, Loughborough Town Hall and The Guildhall. Sarah Levitt, Maggie Shutt, Sarah Harrison, Paul Gobey, Stewart Doughty, Samantha Whelan, Lisa Jacques, Hugo Worthy, Lucy Phillips, Shona Powell, 2Funky Arts, Lucy Hammond, Chris Maughan & Richard Fletcher, Sue Thorn, Tim Ford and the Curve Young Arts Entrepreneurs, Charnwood Arts, Foundation for Community Dance, The Mighty Creatives and all our local promoters, teachers and Head Teachers.

Phone: contact numbers for all venues on page 29.

On the Web: visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk for links to venues that offer online bookings or to buy tickets via PayPal for selected performances.

In person: venue addresses on page 29.

FREE events: please check if you need to reserve a place with the venue.

The Spark would like to give a special thanks to Tricia Kelly for her work as Development Manager over many years.

Schools

Volunteers:

Please contact individual venues (page 29) to book for school groups. Most venues offer 1 FREE teacher ticket for every 10 purchased. Transport subsidy is available to help with coach hire costs – please contact The Spark on 0116 261 6893.

Access

We want everyone to enjoy their experience of the festival so if you or anyone in your party have any special requirements please let the venue know when booking or call The Spark on 0116 261 6893 for more information.

iPhone App

The Spark Festival App can be downloaded from the Apple store – a quick and easy way to keep festival information at your fingertips. iPhone App developed by

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visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

We would like to thank all our volunteers for their support throughout the year and especially during the festival.

To become a Spark volunteer email admin@sparkfestival.co.uk or call 0116 261 6893.

Design by:

Keith Turner at Mooli.

Cover Illustration © Umay Duru Eksioglu

The Spark Arts For Children: Director – Adel Al-Salloum

General Manager – Harriet Roy

Press & Marketing Manager Francesca Wright 07926 359 546

Development Manager Stephanie Robinson 07513 432 639

Marketing & Events Support – Maya Biswas

Arts Administration Intern – Verity Bartesch Student Placements – Lauren Brinkworth, Nicole Smith & Jennifer Cross

Board of Trustees: Stephan Aal David Bell (Chair) Mahmood Reza Jeremy Waterfield

Lucy Bani Mitch de Faria John Townsend

Patron: Tim Crouch Festival Office:

LCB Depot, 31 Rutland St, Leicester, LE1 1RE Email: admin@sparkfestival.co.uk Call us on 0116 261 6893 www.sparkfestival.co.uk www.thesparkarts.co.uk

The Spark Children’s Arts Festival is a registered charity number: 1106952. Company Limited by guarantee 5254229

We reserve the right to make any changes that may be necessary where unavoidable.

This brochure is printed on Regency Gloss with 10% recycled pre-consumer content, Regency is now Carbon Balanced, making it a leading sustainable woodfree coated sheet available today.

FAMILY HALF TERM FUN Wed 29 May 10am The Play-ground Curve 10am Sparking the Imagination / Films Phoenix 10am DigiKids Phoenix 11am Diversions New Walk Museum 11am The Waving Cat of Japan Embrace Arts 11am Djing & Turntabalism Pedestrian 11.30am Wanted: Rabbit Curve 1pm Waving Cat Workshop Embrace Arts 1pm The Snow Queen Curve 1.30pm Wanted: Rabbit Curve 2.30pm The Waving Cat of Japan Embrace Arts 3.30pm Wanted: Rabbit Curve 7pm The Snow Queen Curve Thu 30 May 10am The Play-ground Curve 10am Sparking the Imagination / Films Phoenix 10am DigiKids Phoenix 10.30am Wanted: Rabbit Curve 11am Diversions New Walk Museum 11am The Snow Queen Curve 11am Urban Art Workshop @Pedestrian 11.30am Mavis Sparkle The Guildhall 1.30pm The Snow Queen Family Workshop Curve 1.30pm Wanted: Rabbit Curve 2.30pm Mavis Sparkle The Guildhall 3.30pm Wanted: Rabbit Curve 4pm The Snow Queen Curve Fri 31 May 10am The Play-ground Curve 10am Sparking the Imagination / Films Phoenix 10am DigiKids Phoenix 11am Diversions New Walk Museum 11am Cloud Man Loughborough Town Hall 11am Drumming and Dance Workshop The Y 11.30am Paperbelle Embrace Arts 1.30pm Spot's Birthday Party Curve 1.30pm Paperbelle Embrace Arts

Diary 4 7 14 6 8 15 8 8 9 8 8 8 9 4 7 14 8 6 9 15 9 9 8 9 8 9 4 7 14 6 10 15 11 10 11

2pm Cloud Man Loughborough Town Hall 3.30pm Shlomo's Beat Box Adventure The Y 4.30pm Spot's Birthday Party Curve 6.30pm A Thousand Slimy Things Curve Sat 1 June 10am The Play-ground Curve 10am Sparking the Imagination /Films Phoenix 10am Spot's Birthday Party Curve 10am Paperbelle Embrace Arts 10.30am Hue Boy John Lewis, Leicester 11am Diversions New Walk Museum 11am Anne Fine's Literature Lab L’boro Town Hall 11am The Lost Child Phoenix 11.30am Paperbelle Embrace Arts 12.30pm Spot's Birthday Party Curve 1.30pm Paperbelle Embrace Arts 2pm Anne Fine's Literature Lab L’boro Town Hall 2pm The Lost Child Phoenix 2.30pm A Thousand Slimy Things Curve 2.30pm Hue Boy African Caribbean Centre 6.30pm A Thousand Slimy Things Curve Sun 2 June 10am Sparking the Imagination / Films Phoenix 10.30am Shiny Embrace Arts 11am Diversions New Walk Museum 11am The Lost Child Phoenix 2pm The Lost Child Phoenix 2pm Shiny Embrace Arts IN AND OUT OF SCHOOL Mon 3 June 10.30am Diversions New Walk Museum 1pm Diversions New Walk Museum 1pm My Bright Friend Spot Curve Tue 4 June 10.30am Diversions New Walk Museum 10.30am My Bright Friend Spot Curve 1pm Diversions New Walk Museum 1pm My Bright Friend Spot Curve 7pm James and the Giant Peach Curve

10 12 10 11 4 7 10 11 13 6 12 12 11 10 11 12 12 11 13 11 7 13 6 12 12 13

6 6 16 6 16 6 16 16

Wed 5 June 10.15am 10.30am 10.30am 1pm 1pm 1.30pm Thu 6 June 10.30am 10.30am 1pm 1.30pm Fri 7 June 10.30am 10.30am 1pm 6.30pm 7pm Sat 8 June 10.15am 11am 11am 11am 11am 11.45am 12pm 12.30pm 1.30pm 2.15pm 2.30pm 3pm 3pm 7pm Sun 9 June 11am 11am 11.45am 12.30pm 2.15pm 3pm

The Magic Doors Curve Diversions New Walk Museum James and the Giant Peach Curve Diversions New Walk Museum The Magic Doors Curve James and the Giant Peach Curve Diversions New Walk Museum James and the Giant Peach Curve Diversions New Walk Museum James and the Giant Peach Curve Diversions New Walk Museum James and the Giant Peach Curve Varmints Curve Varmints Curve James and the Giant Peach Curve White Peacock Embrace Arts Diversions New Walk Museum Hood in the Wood Beaumont Leys Library Honey Abbey Park Graffiti Classics The Y Honey Abbey Park Roald Dahl’s Peach Party Curve Waggle Dance Abbey Park White Peacock Embrace Arts Honey Abbey Park James and the Giant Peach Curve Hood in the Wood Hamilton Library Honey Abbey Park James and the Giant Peach Curve Diversions New Walk Museum Honey Knighton Park Honey Knighton Park Waggle Dance Knighton Park Honey Knighton Park Honey Knighton Park

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