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Theatre in Education - TIE - Bringing Live Theatre, Workshops & Games to Children Aged 4 to 12 years for Schools Holiday Play Schemes Educational Events Children's Parties Seasonal Functions and much more... Surrey, London & South East |
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List of Cat's Grin Productions For Availability see Winter Term, Christmas, Spring Term, Summer Term, Parties Those Tudor Days & Knights ! (Juniors) Top stories and action from 1485 - 1603. Cat's Grin takes it's audience on a light hearted historical journey down the line of Tudor kings and queens, exploring the main news events in the reigns of Henry VII, Henry VIII, Edward VI and his sisters Mary and Elizabeth (known as "Bloody" and "The First", respectively). In the broadsheets of the day, political, religious, cultural and social issues are lightly probed, presenting a lucid overview of Tudor England. In the gossip columns, we meet pretenders to the throne such as Lambert Simnel, Perkin Warbeck, Lady Jane Grey and Mary, Queen of Scots. Not forgetting other leading personalities from the era, including Cardinal Wolsey, Thomas More, Philip II of Spain, Sir Francis Drake and William Shakespeare. Meanwhile, the tabloid paparazzi capture images of important battles, treaties, marriages, divorces, plots, executions and voyages of discovery. A fast moving, humours and thought-provoking approach to a fascinating period of British History. Tales from Shakespeare (Juniors) Three for the price of one ! The Winter's Tale, Macbeth and A Midsummer Night's Dream constitute this first collection of Shakespeare adaptations from Cat's Grin. Ideal as a Study companion or as an Introduction to a selection of the Bard's famous characters and stories. The Winter's Tale : A Tragicomedy - Leontes, King of Sicilia welcomes the arrival of Polixines, his best friend. However, Leontes becomes unreasonably jealous of Polixines' friendship with his wife Hermione. She is imprisoned and Leontes has their baby daughter abandoned on a deserted island. His furious jealousy is out of control and he loses all his loved ones. Or has he ? Time may tell a different story. Macbeth : A Tragedy - Macbeth, a general in the Scottish King's army meets with 3 Witches on a misty heath. They foretell that he will be King. At first he cannot believe this but with the help of his wife, they make the prophecy come true by murdering the King. There follows a disastrous chain of events as Macbeth's ambition seeks to destroy all in its path. Who will be next to fall foul of Macbeth's bloody sword ? A Midsummer Night's Dream : A Comedy - In ancient Athens a new law has been passed which says that a daughter has to marry the man chosen for her by her father. One such daughter is Hermia. she refuses to obey this law and escapes the city with her true love to hide in the forest. They are followed by two other young lovers. Once inside this enchanted wood much comic confusion occurs as the mischievous Woodland Fairies amuse themselves by playing tricks on their human visitors. Will the right girl end up with the right boy ? will Mr Bottom always look like an ass. The Labours of Hercules (Juniors) Twelve labours, Three performers, only one Hercules. The Labours of Hercules constitutes a myth of mythic proportions. When Hercules was a toddler, his step mum - Hera - put a snake in his cot. The nappy-clad, muscle-bound babe thought nothing of throttling the unfortunate reptile. In the years that followed, his strength and temper got him out of some scrapes, but into a whole lot more. Finally the gods sent the wayward Hercules to King Eurystheus as his slave. The King set him twelve tasks. Could Hercules tame his temper ? Learn to harness his hot-headed habits and make these negative traits work for him instead of against him ? Like bigger than average Big Brothers (and sisters), the gods on Mount Olympus watched his every move. With generous helpings of
the wit and verve that has made their Greek Myths & Legends production
so popular, Cat's Grin brings their audiences face to face with The
Nine-Headed Hydra, the Stymphalian Birds, The Guard Dog of the Underworld
and the nine other labours undertaken by Hercules.
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A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (Juniors) When it comes to being a Mean, Miserly, Curmudgeon Ebenezer Scrooge takes the biscuit - and he's not sharing the crumbs ! It's Christmas Eve. While the rest of the City excitedly makes final preparations for the big day, old Scrooge is working poor Bob Cratchit late at the office. Bob's overtures of seasonal goodwill to his fellow man mean nothing to Ebenezer Scrooge. But that night, Scrooge's eyes and ears are opened by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future. What he learns about himself and the world he has shunned for so long will change his life and the lives of those around him. This Victorian yuletide yarn from the pen of Charles Dickens is given a fresh festive fizz by the Cat's Grin Foursome. Filled with humour, warmth, compassion and ghostly goings-on, this new production brings the Classic Christmas story of reformation and redemption to a new generation of "Scrooges, Cratchit's and Tiny Tim's". Greek Myths & Legends (Juniors & Infants) Incorporating a mix of contemporary culture with ancient mythology, Greek Myths re-discovers five stories from the Classics. These are : Pandora & The Box of Whispers : What is inside the magical box that Pandora and her husband Epimetheus have received from the great god Zeus ? Should they open it ? Once its secrets have been revealed, there is no turning back... The Terrible Tale of Tantalus : Tantalus, son of Zeus, is the most badly behaved by you have ever met ! But Zeus turns a blind eye to his naughty exploits. Once day, Tantalus goes too far and his son, Pelops, nearly comes a cropper. Zeus comes up with a very fitting punishment ! Demeter and Persephone (Changing Seasons) : Demeter, goddess of the harvest, loves to take care of the countryside. But she loves her daughter Persephone even more. However, Persephone is in danger ! Hades, god of the underworld is prowling the overworld, looking for a wife. Can the love of her mother save Persephone from his clutches ? Echo and Narcissus : Echo, a wood nymph, is in trouble with Hera, queen of the gods. She never stops talking ! Hera decides to teach her a lesson. And when Echo meets Narcissus, the most handsome man she has ever set eyes on, she pays the price for her exuberant ways ! The King with the Golden Touch : Midas is the richest King in Ancient Greece. But he is not satisfied ! One, day, the god Dionysus offers him a wish - anything he wants can be his ! But Midas' greed gets the better of him. Soon, however, he begins to suffer, and so do those around him...including his precious daughter. Can Dionysus save him from himself ? Aesop's Fables (Juniors & Infants) Using humorous and colourful characterisation, Cat's Grin brings to life many of Aesop's wise and foolish creatures. With their simple morals based on universal truths, these tales have formed an essential part of childhood lore for over 2,000 years. Young Aesop lives on the edge of a big forest that is home to an assorted collection of animals. Each Animal has an important lesson to learn, not only featuring in his or her own cautionary tale, but appearing in other fables too. This "near soap-opera" approach makes the animals' characters more rounded, allowing a young audience a clearer appreciation of the human frailties depicted. The twelve stories are : Be Happy With Who You Are (if you like you, then others will like you too); The Hare & The Tortoise; The Fox & The Stork; The Dog In A Manger; The Wind & The Sun; The Boy Who Cried Wolf; Look Before You Leap; The Lion & The Mouse; Honesty Is The Best Policy; One Good Turn Deserve Another; A Burden Shared Is A Burden No Longer; How The Tortoise Got It's Shell The Wind in The Willows by Kenneth Grahame (Juniors & Infants) 1908 to 2008 Grahame's unforgettable assembly of animals and humans are lovingly re-created with the Cat's Grin trademarks of simplicity, with and style. Fuelled by another original script that flows as confidently as the River evokes, the three performers conjure up Mole, Ratty, Badger and Toad; the Wild Wooders - Frightening Frank the Ferret, Sniggering Stan the Stoat and the Whining Chief Weasel; not to mention the key players in Toad's Own Story - the Prison Guard's Daughter, the Washerwoman, the Barge woman, the Car Driver, Policeman and Judge. From an idyllic riverside setting, through the snow bound Wild Wood via Toad's motoring misadventures to the final battle of Toad Hall, this enchanting production ideally compliments the relationship between English and Drama. The Wizard of Oz by Frank Baum (Juniors & Infants) The original story by L. Frank Baum is given the exclusive Cat's Grin paw print of approval. Driven by Energy; navigated by Verve - with the backseat passengers of heady audience participation - Cat's Grin propels us along a resurfaced Yellow Brick Road.... Dorothy laments her Grey
Life on the farm with Aunt Em and Uncle Henry. Em just knits while Henry jousts with a particularly rebellious Cow. A tornado
hurls Dorothy and her beloved Toto to the Land of Oz, where she is given
a warm, if diminutive, welcome by the Munchkins. Here Dorothy
inherits a pair of Magical Silver Slippers - and Glinda, the Good Witch,
sends her on her action packed journey down the Yellow Brick Road to the
Emerald City. Facing many dangers, Dorothy finds the meaning of
true friendship with the help of a Brainless Scarecrow, a Heartless Tin
Man and a Cowardly Lion. But will she and Toto find their way home
? Not if the Wicked Witch of the West and Wing Commander Winged
Monkey can help it.
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The Amazing Adventures of Aladdin from the Arabian Nights (Juniors & Infants) Aladdin and his mates like mucking about down at the market place. His Mum, Mrs Din, dreams of being more that just a school dinner lady. A TV chef perhaps ? Then Aladdin claps eyes on a beautiful Princess Badou and his heart beats to a new tune. At the same time, an enchanting stranger enters his life and promises riches beyond belief - turning the existence of Aladdin and his Mum upside down. Meanwhile, at the Palace, the Sultan announces the forthcoming wedding of his daughter Badou to the Grand Vizier's son, Twit. Can Aladdin win his Princess ? Will Mrs Din cook anything eatable ? Will the Genie of the Ring get off the loo in time ? Shall the Sorcerer gain the Upper Hand, as well as the biggest ? And can the Grand Vizier solve the mystery of that Lamp ? Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll (Juniors & Infants) How Mad are the Hatter and the Hare ? Is the Dormouse Crackers ? What does the Dodo do ? Where is the White Rabbit going ? Why is the Mock Turtle miserable ? What makes the Caterpillar Grumpy and the Hedgehog Prickly ? Questions are answered and answers are questioned in this deceptively simple, yet highly original re-telling of the Lewis Carroll classic. Ideally suited to the 4 - 11 age group (though adults have fallen under it's spell, despite their best efforts to look ...grownup !). Audiences are introduced to - or re-acquainted with - many of the extraordinary characters that our eponymous heroine encounters during her wanderings in Wonderland. Hold tight for rolling Heads, Rocketing Sneezes, Skimming Plates and Darting Jam Tarts. And all the while the Cheshire Cat grinned form ear to ear. The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi (Juniors & Infants) Can Pinocchio become a real boy ? Geppetto's puppet is propelled along a perilous path, meeting many colourful characters along the way. From the talking Cricket, through the clever Fox and the stupid Cat to naughty Lampwick and the kind Fairy, Pinocchio learns numerous valuable lessons. Keeping faith with Collodi's work-play and slapstick humour, the enthralling exploits of this mischievous marionette are brought to life with a maddening mixture of magic, mayhem and morals. Around the World in Eighty Days (Juniors & Infants) London October 1872: Mr Phileas Fogg, English Gentleman, bets his astonished friends that he can travel around the world in only eighty days. Accompanied by his faithful manservant, Passepartout, and chased by the devious Police Inspector Fix – master of disguise and mistaken identity – Phileas Fogg criss-crosses the continents in a race against time. Travelling by rail, sea, snow and elephant the intrepid duo face numerous obstacles on their quest to win the bet. Ultimately it is Time itself that provides the Twist in the Tale. This fast paced production conjures geographical and historical images to stimulate the senses and enhance our perception of the world around us; in particular we learn the importance of different cultures and the value of friendship. The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen (Juniors & Infants) Once upon a time, an evil Hobgoblin called Hobnob created a magical mirror. But this mirror did not reflect what you might expect. This mirror would only reflect every little defect that other mirrors could not detect. So when the glass smashed, a billion splinters of evil blew around the world. After Kay's heart is pierced by a fragment of the cursed mirror, his heart turns into a lump of ice and he falls for the chilly charms of the Snow Queen. Gerda sets out to rescue Kay. Accompanied by her faithful companion, Barry the Blue-nosed Reindeer, she encounters all manner of help and hindrance upon her journey to the Freezing North and The Snow Queen's Ice Palace. Are Wanda and her Forgotten Flower Garden quite what they seem ? Is the little robber girl called Knockynickers because she nicks things ? Why does the Lapp Woman iron fish ? How scary is Scoop the self confessed Scary Snowman ? In amongst this seasonal production explores issues of Friendship & Loyalty, Good and Evil - not to mention, Cheese & Onion crisps. Once Upon a Time (Infants) Four fairy tales are given the "Grin" spin. Hansel and Gretel : Lost in the Forbidden Forest, a brother and sister find sugary sanctuary in a stranger's saccharine-smelling dwelling. Have Hansel and Gretel discovered a child's version of heaven - affection and confection in equal measure ? Or is the pot boiling with more sinister ingredients ? Lazy John : is a story of bizarre wage packets and a Mum with a jolly bit spoon ! A little known fable that follows the comic mis-adventures of a very idle boy as he tumbles from one job to another, in a noble quest to bring home a proper salary to his long-suffering Mum. Lazy John makes Kevin the Teenager look like Little Lord Fauntleroy. The Snow Maiden : Set in Russia, is a remarkably poignant tale about a couple who have always wanted a child of their own. One day they build a child out of snow. A child that laughs, cries, learns and plays. A snow daughter to call their own. Long before The Snowman was walking in the air, The Snow Maiden was playing in her garden, the sun upon her face. Rumplestiltskin : Spin a roomful of straw into gold ? Threatened with a dungeon of dragon-hamsters ? What is a girl to do ? So when a pointy-faced little man, with pointy-ears and a pointy-nose, points her in the right direction, who is she to refuse ? However this help comes at a terrible price. Eleanor is about to learn that a deal is a deal is a deal ! The Happy Prince and The Selfish Giant by Oscar Wilde (Infants) Oscar Wilde made up stories for his own children, then wrote them down for future generations to enjoy. the Happy Prince and The Selfish Giant are probably the most famous of these. Although both fairy tales are tinged with sadness, the messages that they deliver are extraordinarily uplifting. Wild's fearless use of death - so often deemed a taboo in the child's world - only conveys, with greater power, the positive values and unambiguous lessons that his characters have learnt. Four Fairy Tales (Infants) The Elves & The Shoemaker : Two Elves help a poor Shoemaker transform his life. How can he repay their kindness ? Rapunzel : For love of their daughter, two parents make a deal with a wicked witch that will come back to haunt them. By the time Rapunzel is grown up, she is imprisoned within the Witch's spell. Might her long, beautiful hair be the unlikely key to her freedom ? Three Billy Goats Gruff : All the Billy goats have to do to reach the delicious fields over the river is to cross the bridge. But the bridge is guarded by a stinky Troll, who eats Goats for brunch. The Three Billy goats will have to be jolly clever to get around the Troll. Snow White & Rose Red : Two sisters befriend a sad old Bear who tells them strange tales of buried treasure. However a bad Dwarf wants the treasure all to himself. Can he be stopped in time ? And what is the meaning of the flashes of gold that gleam from under the Bear's fur ? Three Favourite Tales (Infants) Goldilocks & The Three Bears : One day Daddy Bear, Mummy Bear and Baby Bear leave their beautiful house to visit The Three Little Pigs on the other side of the Forest. Meanwhile , a nosey girl makes herself at home. In the Bears' home. Following a Nibble, a Wobble and a Snuggle, Goldilocks is blissfully unaware that their dream is about to become a Night-Bear ! Little Red Riding Hood : Little Red Riding Hood loves her Grandma. Grandma falls ill. Riding Hood sets off through the Forest with delicious things for her Grandmother to eat. Amongst the Woodland Folk she meets on her journey, she encounters a hungry yet charming Wolf. He suggests a race. But will Grandma greet Red Riding hood at the finish Line ? Or will it be less Granny more Growly ? Three Little Pigs : There's nothing the Three Pigs want more than to be in their own home, with some friends from the Forest. Each Pig tries to build a house, but their attempts are hindered by a hungry, yet charming Wolf. But is that Wolf full of Hot Air ? Or has he got the Puff to pull apart those poor Piggies' dream dwelling ? These famous tales are retold with the Cat's Grin Trademarks of energy, colourful characters and imaginative audience participation. All washed down with Lashings of Sparkling Wit ! Three Favourite Tales with a festive twist (Infants) Goldilocks & The Three Bears : One day, just before Christmas, Daddy Bear, Mummy Bear and Baby Bear leave their beautiful house to visit The Three Little Pigs on the other side of the Festive Forest. Meanwhile , a nosey girl makes herself at home. In the Bears' home. Following a Nibble, a Wobble and a Snuggle, Goldilocks is blissfully unaware that their dream is about to become a Night-Bear ! Little Red Riding Hood : Little Red Riding Hood loves her Grandma. Christmas approaches and Grandma falls ill. Riding Hood sets off through the Festive Forest with delicious things for her Grandmother to eat. Amongst the Woodland Folk she meets on her journey, she encounters a hungry yet charming Wolf. He suggests a race. But will Grandma greet Red Riding hood at the finish Line ? Or will it be less Granny more Growly ? Three Little Pigs : There's nothing the Three Pigs want more than to celebrate Christmas in their own home, with some friends from the Festive Forest. Each Pig tries to build a house, but their attempts are hindered by a hungry, yet charming Wolf. But is that Wolf full of Hot Air ? Or has he got the Puff to pull apart those poor Piggies' dream dwelling ? Set against the backdrop of Christmas, these famous tales are retold with the Cat's Grin Trademarks of energy, colourful characters and imaginative audience participation. Robin Hood & The Quest for Christmas (Juniors & Infants) A Brand New Production written by Don Brown with Music and Songs by Andrew Donovan "Christmas is banned. Anyone caught being festive will be punished. Only a fool breaks the Yule Rule." Good King Richard departs for the Crusades, leaving Bad Prince John in charge of England. With the help of the dastardly Sheriff of Nottingham, Prince John plots the downfall of Christmas and plans its shiny replacement the celebration of celebrity, known as Celbmas. It's "Goodbye to The Good Book" and "Hello to Hello" ! Can anyone thwart these devious designs to destroy a centuries-old tradition ? The Merry Men are miserable. The Town Crier is crying. Maid Marian is trying to escape Guy of Gisbourne's love struck clutches. And Robin Hood is locked up in the Sheriff's dungeon. |
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Cat's Grin Theatre Company 53 Oxshott Way Cobham Surrey KT11 2RU Tel: 01932 867698 Mob:07803 013367 |
Email: thecatsgrin@btconnect.com Web: www.cats-grin.co.uk
Don Brown, Artistic Director |
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