The Spark Festival brochure 2012

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ival Children始s Arts Fest

the

www.sparkfestival.co.uk

JUN E2 012

RS

0 - 13 YEA

28 MAY - 10

FOR

Diary Day / Date

Time

Thur 24 May 1.30pm Fri 25 May 10.30am 1.30pm Sat 26 May 2.30pm 7pm 10.30am 1.30pm Tues 29 May 10.30am 1.15pm 1.30pm Wed 30 May 10.15am 10.30am 11am - 5pm 1.15pm Thur 31 May 10.15am 10.30am 10.45am 11am - 5pm 1pm Fri 1 June 10.45am 11am - 5pm 1.15pm 2.30pm 7pm Sat 2 June 10am - 4pm 10.30am 11am - 5pm 11am 11am 11am 2pm 2pm 2.30pm 4pm 7pm Sun 3 June 10am - 4pm 12pm - 4pm 12pm Mon 28 May

Mon 4 June Tues 5 June

Wed 6 June

11am 2pm 11am - 4pm 11am 2pm 10am - 4pm 10am 11am - 5pm

Event Name

Venue

Gulliver's Travels Gulliver's Travels Gulliver's Travels Gulliver's Travels Gulliver's Travels

Curve Curve Curve Curve Curve

WEEK 1 Gulliver's Travels Gulliver's Travels Gulliver's Travels Tiddler and Other Terrific Tales Gulliver's Travels Tiddler and Other Terrific Tales Gulliver's Travels Little Artists Gallery Tiddler and Other Terrific Tales Tiddler and Other Terrific Tales Gulliver's Travels White Little Artists Gallery White White Little Artists Gallery Tiddler and Other Terrific Tales Gulliver's Travels Gulliver's Travels Retro Computer Museum Hare and Tortoise Little Artists Gallery Anansi the Spider White DJing & Scratching Workshop White Anansi the Spider Gulliver's Travels Hare and Tortoise Gulliver's Travels Retro Computer Museum The Spark始s Big Jubilee Lunch Jubilee Creativity WEEK 2 Creative Sensory Activities Creative Sensory Activities Takeover Treasure Trail Creative Sensory Activities Creative Sensory Activities The Play-ground Digi-Kids Workshop Little Artists Gallery

Page 6 6 6 6 6

Curve Curve Curve Curve Curve Curve Curve Pedestrian Gallery Curve Curve Curve Curve Pedestrian Gallery Curve Curve Pedestrian Gallery Curve Curve Curve BBC Radio Leicester African Caribbean Centre Pedestrian Gallery John Lewis, Leicester Curve Pedestrian Gallery Curve Highfields Library Curve Hamilton Library Curve BBC Radio Leicester Museum Square New Walk Museum

6 6 6 7 6 7 6 19 7 7 6 8 19 8 8 19 7 6 6 21 20 19 20 8 19 8 20 6 20 6 21 18 18

New Walk Museum New Walk Museum Abbey Park New Walk Museum New Walk Museum Curve Phoenix Square Pedestrian Gallery

18 18 25 18 18 4 14 19

Day / Date

Time

11am 11am 2pm 2pm 2.30pm - 4.30pm 2.30pm 2.30pm 4.30pm 7pm Thur 7 June 10am - 4pm 10am 10.15am 11am - 5pm 11am - 3pm 11am 11am 11am 2pm 2pm 2.30pm Fri 8 June 10am - 4pm 10am 11am - 5pm 11am 11.30am 1.30pm 2pm 7pm Sat 9 June 10am - 4pm 10am - 5pm 10am 11am 11.30am 11.30am 1.30pm 2pm 2pm 2pm 2pm 3.30pm 9.30pm Sun 10 June 10am - 5pm 10am 11.30am 11.30am 2pm 2pm 3.30pm

Event Name

Venue

Fly by Night Creative Sensory Activities Creative Sensory Activities Sunflowers and Sheds Fly by Night - Baby's Bedtime Swamp Juice Potato Needs a Bath Sunflowers and Sheds Swamp Juice The Play-ground Digi-Kids Workshop Swamp Juice Little Artists Gallery Fairy Tale Fun Fly by Night Sunflowers and Sheds Potato Needs a Bath Fly by Night Sunflowers and Sheds Potato Needs a Bath The Play-ground Digi-Kids Workshop Little Artists Gallery Fly by Night Spooky Shadow Puppets Workshop The Buried Moon Fly by Night Nubes (Clouds) The Play-ground Sparking the Imagination The Presents Fly by Night Tales of the Night The Presents Birthday Celebration Dance My Mother Told Me Not to Stare The Presents Fly by Night Sprites 11 Children Who Chase Lost Voices Games Time Sparking the Imagination The Presents The Presents Tales of the Night Sprites 11 The Presents Children Who Chase Lost Voices

Curve New Walk Museum New Walk Museum Curve Curve Curve Embrace Arts Curve Curve Curve Phoenix Square Curve Pedestrian Gallery Beaumont Shopping Centre Curve Curve Embrace Arts Curve Curve Embrace Arts Curve Phoenix Square Pedestrian Gallery Curve The Guildhall The Guildhall Curve Curve Curve Phoenix Square Embrace Arts Curve Phoenix Square Embrace Arts Curve The Y Embrace Arts Curve Phoenix Square Phoenix Square Southfields Park, Loughborough Phoenix Square Embrace Arts Embrace Arts Phoenix Square Phoenix Square Embrace Arts Phoenix Square

Page 10 18 18 10 10 9 11 10 9 4 14 9 19 21 10 10 11 10 10 11 4 14 19 10 12 12 10 9 4 14 11 10 15 11 5 12 11 10 15 15 13 14 11 11 15 15 11 15

Welcome Welcome to the 10th Spark Children’s Arts Festival

Share your

We love to hear about things youʼve seen and done at the festival. Please send us your photos, stories, reviews, anecdotes, ideas and suggestions!

Join us for our 10th birthday year as we celebrate with a fantastic festival fortnight. We are delighted to welcome leading world class companies to our city with an exciting programme of inspiring performances and hands on experiences.

Email us: admin@sparkfestival.co.uk Drop us a line: The Spark Festival, LCB Depot, 31 Rutland Street, Leicester, LE1 1RE

Join us at The Play-ground (our half term festival hub at Curve) or watch the incredible dance show Nubes (Clouds). Thereʼs an epic adaptation of the classic Gulliverʼs Travels and the colourful characters of Julia Donaldsonʼs Tiddler and other Terrific Tales.

SparkArtsFestival Find out more about the shows and artists coming to the festival, and about competitions for tickets and prizes.

Thereʼs plenty for little ones including the quirky Potato Needs a Bath and a magical aerial dance show Fly by Night. For older children thereʼs extraordinary musical theatre My Mother Told Me Not To Stare or digital delights at Phoenix Square… and so much more to be found in venues, schools and community centres.

We are helping to celebrate the Olympic spirit with the spectacular Games Time and are thrilled to be involved with the Jump In festival, which is part of the Cultural Olympiad, bringing outstanding international work to the East Midlands.

This is my first year as Director and I would like to give a huge thank you to Ellen Bianchini, The Spark founder, for bringing us nine sensational years of new and exciting art for children and families.

We hope you enjoy The Sparkʼs 10th birthday festival!

Spark experience

@sparkartsfest Follow the daily excitement during the two weeks and tweet us with your favourite festival moments.

Useful information

FIRST

spark

Look out for our First Spark shows and events especially for babies and pre-school children.

We have listed the age suitability after the information about each event.

Venue information can be found on page 29

Adel Al-Salloum Director

iPhone App: Download the Spark Festival iPhone App from the Apple store - a speedy way to plan your festival on the move. iPhone App developed by

visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

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0116 242 3595

The Play-ground at Curve

Welcome to The Play-ground - our festival hub Wednesday 6 - Saturday 9 June 10am - 4pm For the second year running this yearʼs festival will see Curve, from the mezzanine to the main stage, transformed, into a Play-ground, a treat for all children in the heart of Leicester. Spend a day with us over the summer half-term – thereʼll be plenty of shows to see and things to do with actors, musicians and theatre makers!

All Play-ground activity is absolutely FREE so why not come in and play?

Thereʼll be non-stop fun and family activities daily from 10am - 4pm so pop in any time to join in with:

Dressing-up Box - try on some of Curveʼs amazing theatrical costumery, get into character and take your photo for a wonderful souvenir.

Get Making! - a craft area for those young visual artists who want to make and create.

Games Corner - a place to rest, grab a drink and maybe have a game of snakes and ladders or backgammon.

BEWARE! you may get caught up in a spontaneous game of Grandmotherʼs Footsteps in and around the foyer.

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visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

Play Making!

The Book Corner

11.30am - 12pm & 1.15pm - 1.45pm

This year the book corner returns with the addition of storytellers and moments for a much needed family stretch. An opportunity to stop and chill out amongst all the activity...

This year actors and musicians from Dragon Breath Theatre Company will be running fun-filled theatre workshops for all those wanting to get up and act. Working alongside actors from the company you will have 30 minutes to make up and stage your very own performance.

Music Making!

Story Time 10.30am - 11am & 2.30pm - 3pm Family Stretch 12.15pm - 12.45pm & 3.30pm - 4pm

12.30pm - 1pm & 3.15pm - 3.45pm

Shadow Play

Come and join our musician in a 30 minute jamboree of music making and singing. Taking inspiration from Dragon Breathʼs production of Gulliver's Travels, thereʼll be sea shanties galore to sing your hearts out to.

Join the brilliant Dragon Breath performers as they help you play and explore your very own shadow stories.

Friday 8 and Saturday 9 June only 11am - 11.45am, 12.45pm - 1.30pm or 2pm - 2.45pm

Shadow Play is a FREE EVENT but places are limited. Please contact the ticket office on 0116 242 3595 to book a place.

0116 242 3595

The Play-ground at Curve

Rehearsal Room 2 The Book Corner

Sunflowers & Sheds Shadow Play

Dressing Up

Music Making!

Play Making!

Entrance Door Reception

studio stage

Fly by Night Workshop

Saturday 9 June 1.30pm Dance4, the East Midlands' centre for international dance, have mentored a group of young people to commission and manage a dance event for our 10th birthday celebrations.

Get Making!

cafĂŠ

Celebration Dance

Ticket office

theatre

This has been developed by Dance4 and Guthlaxton College's Extended Services Department. The performance will involve children and young people from Wigston schools coming together in a celebratory flash mob dance performance.

This performance will take place in the theatre foyer and is FREE to attend. Come along and join in!

Pushchair Parking

Games Corner

Entrance Door

visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

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0116 242 3595

Curve Dragon Breath Theatre & Curve present

Theatre

Gulliver's Travels Schools performances Thursday 24 - Tuesday 29 May 10.30am & 1.30pm, Wednesday 30 & Thursday 31 May 10.30am

For Schools

Public performances Saturday 26 May, Friday 1 & Saturday 2 June 2.30pm & 7pm

"Inside Out" Theatre Day Following the performances on 30 & 31 May

It's 1699. Lemuel Gulliver sets sail from England for lands unknown. Shipwrecked, he finds himself to be a powerful giant in one land, a tiny plaything in another.

Then, abandoned by his crew, he discovers a flying island, and a strange world where men are beasts ruled by beautiful, civilised horses. Meanwhile, Gulliver's daughter Molly waits at home for his return, and to hear his extraordinary tale. But Gulliver's adventures have changed him forever… Can Molly help him truly return to the world he left behind?

Dragon Breath and Curve bring Swift's tale to life for modern audiences with their celebrated epic, visual performance style, in award-winning playwright Peter Rumney's funny and powerful play.

Please call ticket office 0116 242 3595 to book: • FREE Pre-show workshop in your school • Literacy Inset for teachers at KS2 & 3 - Friday 15 June See page 22 for more information.

Suitable for: 9+ years Running time: 1 hour 30 mins Tickets: £8 (School parties -

1 free teacherʼs ticket per 10) Gulliver Image by Fiona Richardson

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visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

0116 242 3595

Curve Scamp Theatre & Watford Palace Theatre present

FIRST

spark

Theatre

Tuesday 29 May 1.15pm Wednesday 30 May 10.15am & 1.15pm Thursday 31 May 10.15am Friday 1 June 1.15pm

"I'm so excited that this wonderful production of Tiddler and Other Terrific Tales is going to be part of The Spark Festival's 10th birthday.

It's the first time a professional theatre company has based a play on a number of my books. It was after seeing Scamp's production of Michael Morpurgo's Aesop's Fables that I was so keen for Scamp to use a similar format for my books with Axel Scheffler, so I'm delighted that it's happened."

Author of Tiddler and Children's Laureate Julia Donaldson

A magical collection of Julia Donaldson's most popular titles including Tiddler, The Smartest Giant in Town, A Squash and a Squeeze and many more.

Under sea, over land, on the farm and in the jungle, these favourite tales are woven together with live music, songs, puppets and a host of colourful characters. An absolute treat !

Suitable for: 3+ years Running time: 1 hour Tickets: £8, £10, £12

(Schools £10 plus 1 free teacherʼs ticket per 10)

visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

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0116 242 3595

Curve

We are very pleased to be introducing this truly inspirational and accessible theatre to new audiences of children and families across the region, and are grateful to our funders whose support has enabled this to happen.

A special 10th birthday present for The Spark is the return of Aracaladanza, who so delighted Leicester audiences with Nada Nada (2006) and PequeĂąos Paraisos (2007).

We are also thrilled to welcome White and Swamp Juice.

Catherine Wheels Theatre Company (Scotland), in association with Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh present

White

visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

FIRST

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Thursday 31 May 10.45am & 1pm Friday 1 June 10.45am & Saturday 2 June 11am & 2pm Welcome to the beautifully strange world of White. Full of birdsong and birdhouses, it gleams and dazzles and shines in the night. Two friends look after the birdhouses and make sure the eggs stay safe. The world is bright, ordered and white. But high up in the trees, all is not white. Colour appears. First red... then yellow... then blue...

White is a playful and highly visual new show for very young children and is a perfect first time theatre experience.

Suitable for: 2 - 4 years Running time: 35 mins Tickets: ÂŁ5

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Theatre

Photo: Douglas McBride

We are delighted to be part of the Cultural Olympiad programme, linking up with partners across the East Midlands to take fabulous international companies to Buxton, Corby, Derby, Northampton, Spalding and Leicester, as part of a new joint East Midlands Children's Theatre and Dance festival entitled Jump In.

0116 242 3595

Curve

Dance

Aracaladanza (Spain) presents

Nubes (Clouds)

Inspired by the work of the surrealist artist René Magritte, this fabulous international dance theatre company play with the theme of clouds in the most magical and entertaining way. Expect the companyʼs trademark playfulness in which the most extraordinary objects are imaginatively brought to life, a flipper dance which is laugh-out-loud funny, and a dance with ladders which takes your breath away.

Friday 8 June 7pm

Bunk Puppets (Canada) and Scamp Theatre present

“We invite you to open a door - the one thatʼs in your head and allows you to imagine whatever you want”.

Puppetry

MAX Awards Winner and winner of the Madrid Theatre Prize for Children and Family Audiences.

Swamp Juice Wednesday 6 June 2.30pm & 7pm Thursday 7 June 10.15am

WINNER Total Theatre Award, Edinburgh 2011 “A joyous hour of five-star DIY genius.”

Donald Hutera, The Times

Suitable for: 7+ years (Please note

some scenes may frighten under 7s) Running time: 50 minutes Tickets: £6, £8, £10

Photo: Eduardo García González

Welcome to a swamp like no other, where there are bickering toads, overbearing fairies and a rather gentle swamp monster. Using fiendishly clever shadow puppetry, and a stunning 3D finale which has audiences screaming with laughter, horror and delight simultaneously, Jeff Achtem's acclaimed new show is quite simply stunning theatre for audiences of all ages.

Suitable for: 4+ and families Running time: 50 minutes Tickets: £6, £8, £10

visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

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0116 242 3595

Curve Theatre

Bare Toed Theatre presents

Aerial Dance

Fly by Night Wednesday 6 June 11am (workshop at 12pm)

M6 Theatre Company presents

Thursday 7 - Saturday 9 June 11am & 2pm (workshop at 3pm)

Sunflowers and Sheds

Serenaded by sounds from a musical bed, dancers run with the moon, snooze in the air and fly to the top of the stairs. With play at heart and with family in mind, bedtimes, dreams and sleep come easily in Fly by Night.

Wednesday 6 June 2pm & 4.30pm Thursday 7 June 11am & 2pm A heart-warming tale of friendship, family and fun on the allotment.

Frankʼs peaceful routine is turned upside down by the arrival of the lively Isabella on the neighbouring plot. It takes patience and just a sprinkling of understanding for the seeds of friendship to grow alongside the potatoes, primroses, memories and dreams.

So dig out your wellies and join Frank, Isabella and her friendly chickens on a journey that will nourish your heart and feed your imagination.

"A living picture book"

Suitable for: 5+ years Running time: 50 mins Tickets: £5

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Workshop for families: Climb, dance, fly and play along with the Fly by Night dancers in a fun and friendly workshop inspired by sleep, dreams and bedtime.

ʻThe Bare Toed show was so nice, I couldnʼt make my mouth do talkingʼ Cala, aged 2

BBC Scotland

"Spellbinding tale of friendship and growth"

With dreamcatchers, pillow pits, beds for bouncing on and a winding staircase, Fly by Night is a perfect show for younger children and families.

The Stage

Suitable for: 3 - 6 years Running time: 45 mins (workshop 1 hour) Tickets: Performance £5,

Performance and workshop £8 Photo: Beate Mielemeier

visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

Babyʼs Bedtime

FIRST

spark

Wednesday 6 June between 2.30pm - 4.30pm FREE drop in session for children under 3 and their adults (last entry 4pm) Inspired by dreams, sleep and bedtimes, this interactive installation is all about movement play. Explore an enormous pillow pit and a giant dream catcher, play in a musical bed or sing into a very unusual toilet!

Embrace Arts Shona Reppe presents

0116 252 2455 Puppetry

Music

Reeling & Writhing presents

Potato Needs a Bath Wednesday 6 June 2.30pm Thursday 7 June 11am & 2.30pm There is going to be a party and everyone is ready – except Potato.

Onion is practising his guitar, Aubergine is wearing her new necklace and Peach is bouncing on the bed with excitement.

Potato needs a bath, but he has other ideas – because Potato loves mud!

A light-hearted, gentle and highly-visual new show featuring fruit, veg and original music.

Suitable for: 3 - 5 years Running time: 35 minutes Tickets: £7 / party of four £25

FIRST

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The Presents Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 June 10am, 11.30am and 2pm

FIRST

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A live musical journey for babies still finding their feet.

Once there was a small boy and one day he found a present. Every present contains a surprise – what can you see?

Expertly crafted to complement babiesʼ concentration span and eager eye contact, this show captivates both adult and child. With minimal speech and live music, it is performed in an intimate space so everyone has a front-row seat.

The Presents is a 30 minute show, with time beforehand to let baby get comfortable and some play with the performers afterwards.

Suitable for: 4 - 18 months Running time: 1 hour Tickets: £7 / party of four £25 Each performance is limited to 25 babies, so please book by telephone or in person

visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

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The Guildhall Babbling Vagabonds presents

0116 253 2569 Puppetry

My Mother Told Me Not to Stare

Friday 8 June 1.30pm Late one night, when they should be tucked up in bed… two naughty boys start to tell a tale… a yarn older than their Granny!

Saturday 9 June 2pm In the town of Upper Crumble, everybody lives ordinary lives.

A story from the darkest corners of the muddy marshlands, where theThings dwell. Waiting to snatch the folk lost in the gloom… unless the Maiden of the Moon is shining bright.

Babies are delivered to their new parents by stork, and made to live, (until useful of course) in drawers. Children who are naughty and break the rules of the town, will be sent far away, never to return!

Her light will keep the monsters at bay.

One dark night, the light is out… and so are the Things.

Join the Babbling Vagabonds as they conjure up the best bedtime adventure that there ever was, a tale to tingle your spine, told with shadows, whispers, music, puppets and two naughty boys who should be asleep.

Suitable for: 5 - 11 years Running time: 1 hour Tickets: £4.50

£3.50 child for workshop

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0116 255 7066

Theatre Hullabaloo in association with Action Transport Theatre presents

The Buried Moon

But who looks after the Maiden? What would the village folk do if she disappeared?

The Y

Spooky Shadow Puppets Workshop 11.30am - 12.30pm Make your own Marshland Monster Working with our puppeteers you will learn some simple tricks to transform everyday materials into groovy spooky shadow puppets to take home and play with.

Limited availability – please book early

visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

Told in operatic, gothic style, My Mother Told Me Not to Stare is the story of a young boy called Bobby Rogers, who notices that a child who was there one minute is gone the next.

Disappeared.

Join Bobby on an extraordinary musical adventure in which he finds strength in friendship to confront the horror of the Fixing Kitchen.

Suitable for: 8+ years Running time: 1 hour 15 mins Tickets: £4 child, £6 adult, £16 family of 4

Musical Theatre

Southfields Park, Loughborough Charnwood Borough Council presents

Outdoor spectacular

call The Spark

0116 261 6893

Time to Play!

Become a Trickster, Dreamer, Warrior or Seeker at the Games Time Station.

Make props for the show, join a Games Time team and pit your wits in online challenges and games.

Look out for the Games Time Station at:

Saturday 9 June 8.30pm for 9.30pm show Games Time is a spectacular live outdoor stage show combining music, video, fireworks, professional dancers and 160 members of the local community.

With a backdrop of giant video projections and music, four teams dressed in amazingly colourful costumes take part in an exciting battle. Which team will be victorious in the Games Time finale?

Picnic in the Park Tuesday 5 June 12 - 5pm Queens Park, Loughborough

World Food & Craft Market Wednesday 6 June at Market Square, Loughborough www.gamestimeonline.org.uk www.happeningincharnwood.co.uk

Created to embrace the spirit of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Games Time will be showing throughout 2012 across the East Midlands. The event is funded by Legacy Trust UK, an independent charity creating a cultural legacy from London 2012 across the UK. Suitable for: 5+ years Running time: 1 hour Tickets: FREE Event

visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

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Phoenix Square

0116 242 2800 1 day Workshop

Wednesday 6 June - Friday 8 June 10am - 2.30pm Daily

Experience film and media production in a day A media production course designed to give you a taste of the exciting world of making music and film.

Family Activities

The music production workshop will offer a ʻhands on' opportunity to produce your own music track and explore how computers can be used to manipulate sound.

Sparking the Imagination

For the film production workshop, we will spend an hour developing ideas using imaginative and fun performance based methods, then you will spend an hour in front of the camera using our green screen technology. The emphasis is on gaining confidence to express your own ideas through film production.

Saturday 9 & Sunday 10 June 10am - 5pm A weekend packed full of magical experiences, amazing activities and family friendly films handpicked for the digital generation. Chase virtual bugs, take to the stage as a crazy character and see your own creations appear before your eyes through a series of brilliant artworks for children of all ages.

Films created in the workshops will be edited together and screened at Phoenix Square during Sparking the Imagination.

Digi-Kids will also be able to buy a copy of their album created on their workshop day for a further £3 Please bring your own packed lunch or choose from one of our lunch bags for £3.50 on the day. A parental consent form must be signed before the course commences.

Suitable for: 7+ years Tickets: £25 - places limited so please book early

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visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

see th movie e you m s a on ou ke scree r ns

Suitable for: 3+ years Tickets: FREE Event.

Admission charges for screenings, see page 15.

Pest Control 2 and Animated Me have been commissioned by Phoenix Square for the Spark Childrenʼs Arts Festival.

Pest Control 2 will run from 14 May – 11 June.

Phoenix Square

Film

0116 242 2800

Pest Control 2 - Infestation

by Squidsoup Phoenix Square has been invaded by bugs! Our gallery is swarming with digital creepy crawlies!

Can you help us keep the little creatures under control? Chase, swat, splat, and squish to your heartʼs content, but be careful, or you might just find one crawling along your arm!

Animated Me by Brendan Oliver Create your very own characters and see them come to life before your eyes in this wonderful interactive artwork from Brendan Oliver. Log on to the Animated Me website at www.animatedme.co.uk before the festival to digitally create your characters. Then come down to Phoenix Square during the festival weekend to see yourself transformed into your character on the big screen!

Film Screenings

Saturday 9 & Sunday 10 June

Tales of the Night 3D 11.30am Mixing classic silhouette animation with the latest 3D techniques, this beautiful film blends history with fairytale as we are whisked away to lands inhabited by dragons, captive princesses, sorcerers, and enormous talking bees!

Suitable for: 7+ years Running time: 84 minutes Tickets: £6.65 adults, £6.05 children and concs

sprites 11 - family friendly shorts by onedotzero 2pm An incredible selection of fun-packed short films, handpicked from around the world to bring you the best new animation for children and families. Visually breathtaking, these comical and charming stories promise to entertain, stimulate and delight in equal measure. www.onedotzero.com

Picturewall by Sean Clark from Cuttlefish

Suitable for: 3+ years Running time: 60 minutes Tickets: £4 or £12 for family of 4

Use our digital sketchpads to create your own works of art and see them appear in front of you in a moving collage that will be displayed during the festival.

Children Who Chase Lost Voices from Deep Below 3.30pm

To create drawings before the festival starts you can also use the Spark Festival iPhone App.

This moving and stunningly animated film tells the story of Asuna, a young girl who sets off on an adventure with the mysterious Shun to protect the magical world of Agartha from a group of evil soldiers.

Suitable for: 9+ years Running time: 116 minutes Tickets: £6 adults, £5 children and concs

visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

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Happy 10th Birthday to us!

A message from Arts Council England...

“Iʼd like to congratulate The Spark Childrenʼs Arts Festival on their 10th birthday. Each year the festival has gone from strength to strength and 2012 promises to be very special. The year will see the arrival of new director Adel Al-Salloum, entry into the Arts Councilʼs National Portfolio and continued excellent work with numerous partners both in Leicester and beyond. The programme looks amazing.

Birthday Wishes Friends old and new, wish The Spark ‘happy birthday’ as we celebrate a decade of bringing inspirational arts to children and their families across Leicester.

We would love to get a birthday message from you too.

Find us on or tweet us @sparkartsfest

Over the last decade, The Spark has grown into the largest independent children's arts festival in England and Wales. It has maintained its local impact whilst developing a well-deserved national and international reputation. It offers great opportunities to introduce children and young people to the arts, whether as participants in events or as audience members. Festivals such as these really do bring pleasure into peopleʼs lives through the experience of great art.

I look forward to this yearʼs festival and hope to see you at some of the events.”

Peter Knott, Regional Director, Arts Council England

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visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

Happy Birthday Messages from you

my "A fantastic creative show, nce erie exp cal atri son’s first the ." him for t and perfec

“My family enjoys The Spark Festival because there’s loads to do, its really well run, innovative, and shows we are all still children at heart – well done!”

“Spark is always inspirational!

Long may it continue!”

“Fanta-brilliant, cool and magnificent.”

“Even though the show had no daleks in it, it was really fun.”

“An independent, quirky and imaginative festival. We recommend it to all our friends!” visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

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New Walk Museum & Art Gallery

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Family Activities

The Spark’s BIG Jubilee Lunch

0116 261 6893

Visual Arts

FIRST

spark Leicester Arts & Museums presents

Sunday 3 June 12pm - 4pm at Museum Square, New Walk The BIG Lunch promises to be a fun filled afternoon with street performers, visually stunning antics, things to make and do and a big band to keep everyone in the party spirit.

Join us with your picnic from midday when...

Sunday 3 June 12pm - 3pm (0 - 5 years)

12pm

The band strikes up & party guests arrive.

Be inspired by all things red, white and blue as we celebrate the Jubilee with our early years messy play activities.

1 pm

The BIG Lunch (Don’t forget your picnic)

Creative Sensory Activities

1.30pm 3pm 3.30pm

Let the fun and games begin!

A Big Hat Parade so be sure to make yours before you come!

The BIG tidy up!

New Walk Museum and Art Gallery will also be open for you to drop in and create something red, white and blue – perhaps a crown or glittering tiara?

The Sparkʼs Big Jubilee Lunch is about dressing up, having fun, making new friends and enjoying being part of something special in the city.

Suitable for: All the family Tickets: FREE Event - drop in and join us

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Jubilee Creativity

Supported by

visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

Monday 4, Tuesday 5, Wednesday 6 June 11am - 1pm (0 - 2 years) 2pm - 4pm (3 - 5 years) Calling all mini makers! Come along and explore our new Under 5s gallery with our facilitators, then join in with our creative activities and immerse yourself in art.

Get messy and create!

Tickets: £3 per child (drop in activity, pay on the day) Please dress for mess! This means adults too. We do supply aprons however we recommend you wear old clothes.

Pedestrian Gallery

call The Spark

0116 261 6893

Workshop

Visual Arts Leicester Arts & Museums and The Spark present

Little Artists Gallery FIRST

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The Spark and Leicester Arts and Museums are proud to present a big exhibition of some little artistsʼ work, inspired by well-known contemporary art. This is a rare opportunity to see the work of very young people shown in a gallery.

On display are experiments with materials by the young artists made from scribbling, sticking, cutting, stacking, covering, bashing and painting. They explore what kind of artwork can be made from an amazing array of unexpected processes and materials.

Visit the exhibition and join in too!

Children and families can make an experimental artwork to hang alongside the works on the wall with the materials provided.

DJing & Scratching Workshop

“It has taken me my whole life to draw like a child

Saturday 2 June 11am

“

Wednesday 30 May - Saturday 2 June Wednesday 6 - Friday 8 June 11am - 5pm

Learn how to mix and scratch your favourite songs. Run by Gra Roberts, a local musician and DJ, the workshop will use a variety of equipment including vinyl on turntables and DJing software on Apple computers. Perfect for young aspiring DJs, or children who just want to have a go!

Pablo Picasso

Suitable for: all the family Tickets: FREE Event

Suitable for: 8 - 13 years Running time: 2 hours Tickets: £6 Limited places - please book early

visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

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On Your Doorstep OYD

see page 29 for all venue details

This year the festival’s On Your Doorstep programme brings theatre, music and well-loved animal tales into City libraries and neighbourhoods Community Partner for On Your Doorstep: John Lewis, Leicester Music

Yaaba Funk presents tutti frutti and York Theatre Royal present

Hare and Tortoise

Anansi the Spider

FIRST

spark

Join Yaaba Funk as they take you on a magical journey to explore music, stories and the world of ʻfunkʼ. In an exhilarating storytelling performance, they bring to life the traditional tale of Anansi The Spider.

The stop watch is set; we hear the ʻtick, tick, tickʼ Are you ready? Are you steady?

Geared up and raring to go, Hare is in training, stood at the starting line, alert... waiting...

Theatre

Who is the fastest, the best, the most athletic...?

The old clock chimes; we hear ʻthe tick and the tockʼ Slowly does it, taking it easy, Tortoise is planning his winter hibernation, poised with pen and paper, pondering... resting zzz Steady as you go, steady as you go...

Meet our two competing friends in this new fantastic adaptation of Aesopʼs fable; a story about racing, winning, losing, opposites, time and friendship.

This show has a nail biting, seconds ticking, medal winning end…

Suitable for: 3 - 7 years Running time: 1 hour

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Saturday 2 June 10.30am African Caribbean Centre Maidstone Road Leicester LE2 0QA Tickets: £1.50 Call: 0116 221 1793 Saturday 2 June 4pm Hamilton Library Maidenwell Avenue Leicester LE5 1BL FREE Event reserve your place Call: 0116 221 2790

visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

Families are invited to join in, to sing, act, dance and use percussion to help retell the celebrated stories of Anansi – the trickster spider. Donʼt miss this funky celebration of one of the most important characters of West African and Caribbean folklore.

Suitable for: 5 - 12 years Running time: 75 mins

Saturday 2 June 11am John Lewis Leicester, Highcross Shopping Centre FREE Event drop in and join us Call: 0116 242 7182 for more information Saturday 2 June 2pm Highfields Library 98 Melbourne Road Leicester LE2 0DS FREE Event reserve your place Call: 0116 299 5494

On Your Doorstep OYD BBC Radio Leicester presents

see page 29 for all venue details Family Activities

Beaumont Shopping Centre and The Spark present

Puppetry

Fairy Tale Fun Thursday 7 June 11am - 3pm

The Retro Computer Museum Saturday 2 & Sunday 3 June 10am - 4pm Share the fun of retro computer games with your children and show them the games you played when you were young. From Pac-Man to Space Invaders...you can have a go on computers and games consoles spanning three decades.

Watch the The Three Billy Goats Gruff or help create the Grumpy Troll in a day of puppet madness and fairy tale fun.

watch a show

make a puppet

11- 3pm

Join our puppet maker to help construct a giant Troll or make your own river bed creatures.

Suitable for all the family.

puppet parade Suitable for: Children of all ages - 0-99!

Venue: BBC Radio Leicester Tickets: FREE Event - spaces may be limited

11.30am & 1.30pm

Garlic Theatre will present the classic story of The Three Billy Goats Gruff using puppets, live music, storytelling and singing. A magical world for children aged 3 - 7 years.

3pm

Our giant Troll will spring to life and lead us around the shopping centre - off to who knows where‌ Suitable for: all the family Venue: Beaumont Shopping Centre Tickets: FREE Event

visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

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Schools Programme Gulliver's Travels workshops in your school The workshops will focus on developing literacy skills with young people through drama and creative writing. Exploring themes of Transition and Citizenship the school based workshop will engage students in a dialogue around difference.

The Sparkʼs programme for schools is central to the festival. We bring performances and workshops into Leicesterʼs primary schools and we offer special shows in the cityʼs 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 in the festival are supported by resources for teachers. Some also offer practical workshops led by the performers themselves.

Take them on a trip!

As well as performances in schools, we encourage school groups to visit festival venues. This yearʼs shows can be found on pages 6 – 8.

To support schools and make these visits as accessible as possible venues offer 1 free ticket for every 10 pupils, for most shows. Venues can also provide a designated space for school parties to eat packed lunches.

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Arts Award We are delighted to support the Arts Award initiative, a unique qualification endorsed by Arts Council England that recognises young peopleʼs development through the arts. For more information visit www.artsaward.org.uk. or call The Spark on 0116 261 6893.

Transport Subsidy This year Woods Coaches is the festivalʼs 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 throughout the years to become the leading coach operator in the area.

Please call the Spark office on 0116 261 6893 to get your discount code.

visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

Workshops are offered FREE to schools bringing groups of 30 or more (subject to availability)

Literacy Inset for Teachers at KS2 & KS3 Friday 15 June 9.30am - 3pm Working with Gulliver's Travels writer and poet Peter Rumney the INSET will explore: • Creative ways to develop key literacy skills with students • Ways to understand and explore classic text • Language structure in creative writing • Play text and poetry • Persuasive writing £100 per person or £150 for 2 teachers from the same school Contact Matthew Runham, Assistant Producer Participation & Learning at Curve on 0116 242 3560 to book

Fun in the classroom Theatre

Music

call The Spark Dance

Theatre

Moving Hands Theatre Company in association with Birmingham Rep presents

tutti frutti and York Theatre Royal present

Yaaba Funk presents

Hare and Tortoise

Anansi the Spider Hip Hope Hero

Foundation & Key Stage 1 Meet our two competing friends in this new fantastic adaptation of the much loved story, brimming with ideas, characters, live music and wonderful physicality.

Imperial Avenue Infant School Mellor Community Primary School Mowmacre Hill Primary School Northfield House Primary School Sandfield Close Primary School

Key Stage 1 & 2 An interactive mix of music and story telling, retelling the tales of Anansi – trickster spider and one of the most important characters of African and Caribbean folklore.

Alderman Richard Hallam Primary School Folville Junior School Imperial Avenue Infant School King Richard III Infant School Mellor Community Primary School Mowmacre Hill Primary School Sandfield Close Primary School

0116 261 6893

Key Stage 2

Birds Nest Theatre presents

Blown Away

FIRST

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Pre School

The Hip Hope Hero knows the worldʼs biggest secret… that inside everyone lurks…a hero.

Even a Super Hero.

Devised with schools and artists in South Africa, this production is a stunning combination of dance, poetry, animation, original music and some seriously cool puppets.

Includes a workshop with the cast.

Mellor Community Primary School Northfield House Primary School Sandfield Close Primary School

One windy night, a small girl, finds herself swept up and whisked away on an unforgettable journey with the wind. Flying through the air with the world so small below her she feels big, and when youʼre big you can do anything at all!

A beautiful and engaging show containing live music, shadow puppetry and movement, for ages 0 - 4.

Free performances for families registered at the following Childrenʼs Centres – to book your place please call the numbers below.

Mayfield, Highfields & St Saviours Centres 0116 294 6120 Rowley Fields Centre 0116 229 8730

visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

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Projects

call The Spark

0116 261 6893

The Spark Newsroom

Puppetry Summer School

Monday 28 May - Sunday 8 June

Thursday 9 & Friday 10 August 10am - 3pm

Young reporters from Takeover Radio join forces with BBC Radio Leicester to bring you daily bulletins.

Venue: Embrace Arts, Leicester

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.

Tune in to BBC Radio Leicester on 104.9FM and Takeover Radio on 103.2FM for the latest from The Spark Newsroom As Leicestershire's only BBC local radio station, Radio Leicester is the place to find out about all of this summer's major events and festivals and is proud to support The Spark as a media partner.

Takeover Radio is the first full-time broadcasting radio station in the UK to be presented, produced and run entirely by young people. They have been supporting The Spark as media partner for 7 years.

Listen online at www.bbc.co.uk/leicester

www.takeoverradio.com

This summer why not try something different with The Spark and join our puppet workshop? Over two days you will learn to create and construct your own puppet.

Maker and performer Sue Pyecroft will fire up your imaginations ready to bring your creations to life.

Suitable for: 7 - 12 years Cost: £25 for two days To book: 0116 261 6893 or www.sparkfestival.co.uk

stop press • stop press • stop press • stop press Takeover Radio 103.2FM presents

Takeover Treasure Trail Tuesday 5 June 11am - 4pm Come and join in an exciting treasure trail to discover the hidden secrets and history of Leicesterʼs very own Abbey Park.

Visit our website for more details.

visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

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Support the Spark

0116 261 6893

Fundraising is Vital to The Spark...

A big.......THANK

We would like to thank all the organisations who have helped The Spark by making donations and supporting this yearʼs festival:

The arts play an important role in a childʼs development.

Over the last decade, the festival has been enjoyed by over 90,000 people. Research shows that exposure to the arts can have a significant impact on childrenʼs lives and boost their learning. Our mission is to enable children to discover, enjoy and celebrate the arts.

Become a Business Partner You can support projects that engage, empower, educate and inspire the next generation. Partnership packages will be specially crafted to meet your business needs and connect you with a leading UK event.

Can your school Shine for The Spark?

Make a Donation Support our Shine for The Spark Appeal and help us raise £10,000 to maintain our education programme in schools through performances and workshops across the curriculum by providing subsidies for school theatre visits.

YOU!

Children can dress up as their favourite hero, have a sparkly themed day and help raise money for the Shine for The Spark Appeal.

Thanks to all the staff and children at Mellor Community Primary School and King Richard III Infant School for their donations to the appeal this year.

East Midlands Trains Experian Ford and Slater J. P. Boden Kirby & West Mark Master Masons of Leicestershire & Rutland Next PLC Royal Arch Freemasons in Leicestershire & Rutland Upstage Theatre Supplies Ltd And to all the individuals who have donated we want to say thank you very much. What you have done is important and we appreciate your support.

There are lots of ways to make things happen and to donate!

Please visit our website for more information: www.sparkfestival.co.uk, email admin@sparkfestival.co.uk or call 0116 261 6893.

visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

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Useful Information 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 itĘźs 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 Phone: Contact numbers of 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 FREE events: please check if you need to reserve a place with the venue In person: Venue addresses on page 29

Schools 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, there is limited availability – please contact The Spark on 0116 261 6893.

Access We want everyone to enjoy their experience of the fesival 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.

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visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

Venue Information Leicester Visitor Information Centre 7-9 Every Street, Town Hall Square, Leicester LE1 6AG Telephone:

0844 888 5181

www.oneleicester.com www.goleicestershire.com Travel Line:

0871 200 2233

National Rail Enquiries:

0845 748 4950

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.

z

zz

Looking for somewhere to stay?

Contact the Festival始s Official Hotel, The Belmont Hotel on 0116 254 4773 De Montfort Street, Leicester LE1 7GR Visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk for more information

Venues Abbey Park

Embrace Arts

Pedestrian Gallery

Abbey Park Road Leicester LE4 5AQ

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

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

Hamilton Library

Phoenix Square

Maidenwell Avenue Leicester LE5 1BL (Situated on Hamilton Tesco's car park) To book call: 0116 221 2790 or visit the library

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

African Caribbean Centre Maidstone Road Leicester LE2 0QA To book call: 0116 221 1793 or visit the centre BBC Radio Leicester 9 St Nicholas Place Leicester LE1 5LB 0116 251 6688 Beaumont Shopping Centre Beaumont Way Leicester LE4 1DS Curve Ticket office: 0116 242 3595 Rutland Street Cultural Quarter Leicester LE1 1SB www.curveonline.co.uk

Highfields Library 98 Melbourne Road Leicester LE2 0DS To book call: 0116 299 5494 or visit the library John Lewis, Leicester Highcross Shopping Centre Leicester LE1 4SA Call 0116 242 7182 for more information New Walk Museum & Museum Square

Southfields Park, Loughborough Leicester Road Loughborough LE11 2TN www.happeningincharnwood.co.uk The Guildhall Ticket office: 0116 253 2569 Guildhall Lane Leicester LE1 5FQ The Y Ticket office: 0116 255 7066 7 East Street Leicester LE1 6EY www.leicesterymca.co.uk

53 New Walk Leicester LE1 7EA

visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

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Thanks Thanks to: All at Curve, Embrace Arts, The Y, The Guildhall, Phoenix Square, Sarah Levitt, Maggie Shutt, Paul Gobey, Kerry George, Ruth Bates & Dance 4, Samantha Whelan and Pedestrian Gallery, Lisa Jacques, Hugo Worthy, Richard Clark, Karen Birch, Hazel Townsend, Ellen Lee, Pam Weston, Juliet Martin, Sylvia Wright, Kevin Ryan and Charnwood Arts, Foundation for Community Dance, Stephen Munn, Shona Powell, Peter Rumney & Nettie Scriven, Sue Pyecroft, Lucy Hammond, Justin Bones, Graham Coley, Paul Suter and One Leicester, and all our local promoters, teachers and Head Teachers.

Thanks to Charlotte Henry and Hannah Hamblett for the illustrations on page 18

Volunteers: 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.

A Special Thanks: To Ellen Bianchini who founded the Festival and was Director between 2003 - 2011.

Design by: Keith Turner at Mooli

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The Spark

Partners Media Partner

Media Partner

Community Partner

Transport Partner

Print Partner

Paper Partner

The Spark Children’s Arts Festival

Media Partner

Director – Adel Al-Salloum General Manager – Harriet Roy Press & Marketing Manager Francesca Wright 07926 359 546 Development Manager Tricia Kelly 07940 771 342

Festival’s Official Hotel

Marketing & Events Support – Maya Biswas Student Placement – Kirsten Schmeister

Board of Trustees Stephen Aal David Bell (Chair) Mitch de Faria Jeremy Waterfield

Lucy Bani John Townsend Mahmood Reza

Festival Office

Funders

LCB Depot, 31 Rutland St, Leicester, LE1 1RE Email: admin@sparkfestival.co.uk Call us on 0116 261 6893 www.sparkfestival.co.uk 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 Satin with 10% recycled pre-consumer content, Regency is now Carbon Balanced, making it a leading sustainable woodfree coated sheet available today.

Festival Partners

Equity,

Haymarket Shopping Centre,

Irwin Mitchell Solicitors

Proud to be part of 31