Spring Season 2010 - Puppetry For Adults

February – April 2010

Little Angel Theatre Spring Season 2010 Puppetry For Adults

Book tickets on 020 7226 1787

Following the launch of our SUSPENSE London Puppetry Festival in 2009, Little Angel continues to bring you innovative and exciting puppetry for adult audiences.

Some highlights this spring are the premiere of Three Good Wives by NY company Inkfish, Sad Lucy – A Fish Opera by Matthew Robins and HATCH, a new festival of work-in-progress. You can also take part in our evening classes and a range of professional development workshops for both makers and performers. So come along – according to Time Out “puppetry is the new Rock’n’Roll!”. Peter Glanville, Artistic Director

Productions Hatch Tuesday 23 – Saturday 27 February, Various times £5 per evening A brand new mini-festival showcasing work in progress performances by new and established puppetry performers, including Sean Myatt, Metta Theatre, Pangolin’s Teatime and Puppet Grinder Cabaret. Details of individual companies and performance times can be seen at www.littleangeltheatre.com

Three Good Wives Inkfish presented in association with Little Angel Theatre

Tuesday 16 – Sunday 28 March (not 22/23), 8pm (Sundays, 4pm/ Friday 26 March, 7pm) £10/£8 concessions (£5 previews Tuesday 16 & Wednesday 17) US based company Inkfish return to Little Angel with their original puppet theatre piece that takes contemporary US and UK military wives’ stories and weaves them with mytho-historic heroines: Penelope from Homer’s Odyssey, Mandodari from the Ramayana, and Scheherazade from The Arabian Nights.

Using shadow and rod puppetry, as well as video projection and song, the production is inspired by the stories of 21st Century women whose lives have been affected by war. It draws from personal accounts, news and radio stories as well as online social media, to investigate the core themes of waiting, mourning, and healing in a visually striking and compelling way. There will be a post-show Q&A with the director on Wednesday 24 March.

Puppet Jam Sunday 28 February, 7.30pm £5 A night of puppet improvisation created by you. Celebrating the end of HATCH week, this is a night where anything can happen.

Come and have a go! Maximum of 50 tickets available so please book in advance.

Top & middle: Inkfish’s The Brain which they performed at SUSPENSE – photos by Richard Termine Bottom: Three Good Wives – image by Penelope Lores

The Great Puppet Horn

Jack Pratchard

By Jonathan Storey

Pangolin’s Teatime

Thursday 1 April, 7pm/9pm £10/£8 concessions Come to The Great Puppet Horn for tales bizarre and comic; presented in the monochrome glory of the shadow screen. Full of irreverent humour, political machinations, and dangerously correct grammar, The Great Puppet Horn provides cultural critique as only bits of cardboard stuck to a stick can. Watch in delight as shadowy characters familiar and unknown speak, breathe, beat-box and pole-dance for your entertainment.

From the wilds of Edinburgh, via their sell-out performance at SUSPENSE and Puppet Grinder Cabaret, Pangolin’s Teatime brings you this feast of horn.

Come.

“An irreverently funny piece of shadow puppet theatre… a series of sketches are presented with barely time to draw breath…” The British Theatre Guide

The Lanchester Marionettes The British Puppet and Model Theatre Guild

Saturday 17 April, 7.30pm £10/£8 concessions/BPMTG members The Lanchester Marionettes were one of Britain’s Premier puppet companies from the 1930’s to 1970’s. They performed before Royalty and had a play written for them by George Bernard Shaw. The British Puppet and Model Theatre Guild house a large collection of the Lanchester marionettes and associated items, obtained with help from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Join us for a rare evening of history and performance as the Lanchester marionettes are brought back to life!

The BPMTG was founded in 1925. It holds regular meetings across the UK where members can exchange views, gain experience through workshops and watch performances.

Sunday 18 April, 7pm/9pm £8/£6 concessions Jack Pratchard is the tale of a man who dies and discovers just what is on the other side of life. This is a charming and strange new story, told with paper theatre, a record player and a soundtrack of the Schubert Octet.

With his rickety ‘machine’, Jonathan Storey reveals an ever-changing series of beautifully coloured scenes and characters, and creates a world that resembles an animated painting.

Directed by Seonaid Goody.

“The most wonderful cross between an incredibly beautiful piece of artwork, a dark fairytale and a feat of miniature engineering...” Ellie Jones, Southwark Playhouse

Sad Lucy – A Fish Opera

By Matthew Robins

Tuesday 20/Wednesday 21 April, 8pm £10/£8 concessions A new show from Matthew Robins – a series of stories about death, the devil, love and fish, written in collaboration with author/illustrator Viviane Schwarz. Matthew and his band will also perform episodes from The Death of Flyboy, last seen at the National Theatre, the Barbican, Theatre Royal Bath and as part of Puppet Grinder Cabaret during SUSPENSE. There will be shadow puppets, live animation, songs about the sea and Matthew’s home-made merchandise.

“As borderless as its creator’s imagination, the universe of Matthew Robins’s shadow plays is simultaneously homely, sinister and one of the most engaging live experiences you’ll encounter this year” Timeout

Double Bill: Axis of Evil Productions presents Sh*tty Deal Puppet’s

Oh What a Sh*tty War! and Folded Feather’s

Suitcase Circus Friday 23 April, 8pm £10/£8 concessions Join Mister Doper and his threadbare puppets as they take you through a history of all the sh*ttiest wars mankind has seen. Contains strong language, puppet violence and barbie nudity.

“Hilarious, brilliant, must-see stuff’ Kate Copstick, The Scotsman Folded Feather present a group of objects who ooze attitude, sleaze, charm and an abundance of talent – enter the wonderful and chaotic miniature world of Suitcase Circus. ‘’Suitcase Circus are outstanding’’ Timeout

Double Bill:

Abraham and Isaac/ Journey of the Magi

Suspension – Youth Puppetry Showcase

CLASSES & COURSES

Wed 3 & Thur 4 March, 7pm £3 Get ready to be taken on a wild and rapid journey through the world of puppetry, from the traditional to the experimental. Inspired by professional performances during SUSPENSE London Puppetry Festival 09, three companies of 11–16 year olds from Islington Arts & Media School, Highbury Grove School and Little Angel Theatre’s own Puppet Academy have created original pieces of work.

ADULT PUPPET CLUBS

Metta Theatre

Saturday 24 April, 8pm £8/£6 concessions New stagings of Benjamin Britten’s hypnotic Canticles II & IV – operatic settings of Abraham’s near sacrifice of his beloved son Isaac, and the journey of the three kings to Bethlehem. Told with puppets, shadow-puppetry and projection.

“Metta Theatre certainly know how to capture and keep an audience” Fringe Review (about Metta Theatre’s Blood Wedding, 2009)

Left Top: Oh What a Sh*tty War! Left Bottom: Suitcase Circus

Below: Work in progress

Little Angel Theatre runs termly evening clubs for adults – for beginners, puppet makers and puppet performers. If you’ve experience in using puppets or you’d just like to have a go, these courses could be for you. Each 10 week course begins by seeing a show and taking a backstage tour. For more details about courses and how to sign up, see our website.

CLUBS FOR UNDER 16s

Little Angel runs a range of exciting and high quality creative puppetmaking and performing clubs for age 2–16, as well as regular Fun Days and our Easter Holiday club. See our website or call the box office for more information.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT For professional puppeteers, performers and puppet makers

Lesson in Ventriloquism with Nina Conti

Monday 15 February, 7–9pm Cost £10 Britain’s leading female ventriloquist Nina Conti and her monkey are keen to teach the secrets of the resurgent art form. A certain amount of puppets will be provided but you are welcome to bring your own to this unique workshop.

Nina learnt the art of belly speaking from the late great Ken Campbell, who believed puppets could provide direct access to the spontaneous uncensored mind. Whether you are shy, exhibitionist or downright bewildered this promises to be a fun and informative session.

Glove Puppetry Mastercalss with Ronnie Le drew

To book for all workshops call 020 7226 1787

Facing page: Table Top Puppet Construction with Peter O’Rourke Above top: Nina Conti Above bottom: Carving workshop

Saturday 6/Sunday 7 March, 2pm–5pm (2 afternoons) Cost £45 The course will explore the potential movement of a glove puppet and improve the participants’ understanding of its character using voice and props. Participants must attend both afternoons. Ronnie has worked with Little Angel since the 1960’s when he joined the company under its founder director John Wright. Film and Television roles include Zippy from Rainbow, Sooty and Sweep, Muffin the Mule, Meerkat, Brains from Thunderbirds, and Jim Henson’s Labyrinth and Muppet Movies.

Recently he directed Cindermouse which played at Little Angel and at Norwich Puppet Theatre. www.ronnieledrew.com

Table-top Puppet Construction Course with Peter O’Rourke

Monday 8 March – Friday 12 March, 10am–6pm (5 days) Cost £250 Concentrating on the technical aspects of making table-top puppets, the emphasis will be on principles of construction to enable the maker to build good movement into puppets through an analysis and understanding of pivot points and jointing. Students will work from a prototype specifically devised to demonstrate ways of designing good movement, taking into account the needs of the performer. This detailed and in-depth course focuses on mechanics rather than aesthetics; the shapes used will be simple and the materials and approach means that each student should be able to take away their own prototype at the end of the course. Peter O’Rourke regularly works with Little Angel and is one of the UK’s best designer/makers.

Carving workshop with John Roberts

Monday 22 March – Friday 26 March, 10am–6pm (5 days) Cost £250 John Roberts is one of the most experienced course leaders in Europe having run carving courses since 1980 in the UK and internationally. The workshop will cover design of a marionette, working with wood and tools, and a unique combination of Chinese and European construction techniques with the aim of producing a fully functioning puppet to take away with you at the end of the week.

The Little Angel Theatre Professional Development Programme is supported by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.

LITTLE ANGELS

Little Angel Theatre presents a range of exciting performances and puppetry activities for children and teenagers from age 2 – 16 throughout the year. We also work closely with schools and nurseries.

If you’d like to find out about our programme of work for younger audiences please pick up one of our children’s brochures or see www.littleangeltheatre.com.

YOUR SUPPORT

As a charity Little Angel Theatre relies on the generosity of our supporters to make sure we keep our doors open and our puppets in work! Without our friends and supporters we simply couldn’t put on our productions or run the vast range of educational, participative and professional development activities that we do. There are various ways you can help: – make a donation, either regularly each month or as a one off gift – join our Company of Angels (details below) – come to one of our gala performances – leave a bequest – join our Corporate Membership scheme or sponsor a production

BECOME AN ANGEL!

Want to be part of everything that goes on at Little Angel Theatre?

Then join our Company of Angels to get exclusive benefits for you and your family, such as free tickets, priority booking and invitations to special events, as well as supporting the theatre’s work in a sustainable way. To find out how to join see www.littleangeltheatre.com or call the box office and ask for an application form.

BOOKING iNFORMATION How to Book

The box office phone line is open 10am–6pm week days and 10am–4pm at weekends. Book tickets on 020 7226 1787. We always recommend advance booking as we cannot guarantee availability on the door.

A £1.50 credit/debit card booking fee will be added to each purchase.

Once purchased tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Age Policy

The productions featured in this brochure are suitable for adult audiences and we recommend that they are not suitable for under 12s.

If in doubt please ask the box office for more information.

DIARY February M 15

Ventriloquism workshop

S 21

INKFISH 4pm

T 23

HATCH

M 22

Carving workshop starts

W 24

HATCH

W 24

INKFISH 8pm + Q&A

T 25

HATCH

T 25

INKFISH 8pm

F 26

HATCH

F 26

INKFISH 7pm

S 27

HATCH

S 27

INKFISH 8pm

S 28

Puppet Jam 7.30pm

S 28

INKFISH 4pm

March

April

W3

SUSPENSION showcase 7pm

T1

Great Puppet Horn 7pm & 9pm

T4

SUSPENSION showcase 7pm

S 17

Lanchesters Evening 7.30pm

S6

Glove workshop

S 18

Jack Pratchard 7pm & 9pm

S7

Glove workshop

T 20

Sad Lucy 8pm

M8

Table top workshop starts

W 21

Sad Lucy 8pm

T 16

INKFISH 8pm preview 1

F 23

Oh what a… + Suitcase Circus 8pm

W 17

INKFISH 8pm preview 2

S 24

Abraham + Isaac... 8pm

T 18

INKFISH 8pm

F 19

INKFISH 8pm

S 20

INKFISH 8pm

GETTING TO LITTLE ANGEL THEATRE

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WAY ROA D

HIGHBURY & ISLINGTON

Tube: Angel (Northern Line) or Highbury & Islington (Victoria Line)

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Little Angel Theatre 14 Dagmar Passage Off Cross Street London N1 2DN T. 020 7226 1787 www.littleangeltheatre.com

STREE

Train: Essex Road or Highbury and Islington

D TE AGM RR A AC R E

ISLINGTON GREEN

ESS EX

The Little Angel Theatre

RO AD

CROSS STREET

UPPER

Bus: Essex Road 38, 56, 73, 341 / Upper Street 4, 19, 30, 43

ANGEL PENTONVILLE ROAD

CITY ROAD

TICKET INFORMATION

A £1.50 credit/debit card booking fee will be added to each purchase.

Once purchased tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.

For further information about Little Angel Theatre go to www.littleangeltheatre.com.

The Little Angel Theatre is supported by Harold Hyam Wingate Foundation, The Garfield Weston Foundation, The 1970 Trust, The Prince’s Foundation for Children & the Arts, The Royal Victoria Hall Foundation, The 29 May 1961 Charitable Trust, The Bridge House Trust, The Goldsmiths’ Company, Old Possum’s Practical Trust, The Golsoncott Foundation, Help a London Child, The Richard Reeves Foundation, The Mercers Company, The Cripplegate Foundation, The Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust, The Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, The Worshipful Company of Curriers, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Arts Council England, The Foyle Foundation The Little Angel would like to thank all members of our ‘Company of Angels’ scheme for their generous and sustained support.

‘Wonderful work that celebrates the possibilities of theatre’ The Guardian

Vat Registration No: 233867152 Registered Charity No: 232488 Company No: 668339

Book Tickets on 020 7226 1787