Children's Puppet Shows, Young People's Theatre and Visual Theatre
Performances for Adults
CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE -
"Family entertainment doesn't get much
better than this."
Kate Feld - Manchester Metro
11 December 2006
Since 1994, DNA has created ten nationally touring theatre performances
for children. Starting with the original and still much loved Thurtinkle
show, DNA made their first appearance in May 1994 at the Punch &
Judy May Fayre festival Covent Garden, London. Thurtinkle has since
told his tales at arts centres, festivals, theatres, parks, libraries,
museums, the Tate Gallery in London and even on 'This Morning' with
Richard & Judy!.
EARLY YEARS -
'Jolly Phonics Live!' - An exciting
event for children's centres, reception classes and nurseries using
puppetry with to introduce synthetic phonics to the very young.
'Ball Pond Bobby' (2007)- a visual
theatre performance and guided play activities for children between
the ages of 2 and 5. Exploring the world of round and round, DNA
have collaborated with dancer Tids Pickard and developed the piece
with the assistance of the Lowry, Salford Quays and the Guild Charter
Theatre Preston. Specially composed soundscape by Verbal Vigilante
Music
A Tishoo! (2004) Using innovative
visual theatre techniques and delightful puppetry, imaginative landscapes
and stories are created using light and shadow, paper and performer.
Original soundtrack composed by Haviel Perdana. Brought back for
Christmas 2007 at the special request of the Lowry, Salford Quays.
Chicken Licken (1999) This one-man
show is a trilogy of classic tales from the Ladybird books - Chicken
Licken, The Little Red Hen and The Fox and the Hen. Starting as
a baking demonstration, the show rapidly becomes the adventures
of a growing chick and her encounters with a hungry fox. This show
uses shadow and rod puppetry and has an original musical score by
Jon Owen.
'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' (1998) DNA's first performance for
early years. A massive national sell-out success. With kind permission
from the Eric Carle foundation, the performance was faithful to
the Images and text of the book.
4- 11 YEAR OLDS -
'Terry Jones Fairy Tales' (2009)
- a celebration of storytelling and puppetry bringing to live beautifully
witty and engaging tales by well known author and Python Terry Jones.
'Dr Nose Travels Through Time' (2008)-
Thurtinkle has regenerated, and has invented a way for his little
house to go into the past! A performance with tales from and about
history using a variety of puppetry techniques..
'Puss in Boots'(2006) - a retelling
of the famous tale of the clever cat who guides his human friend
to position, fortune and love using only his hunting skills and
native cunning. Directed by Steve Tiplady (Indefinite Articles)
and performed by Adam Bennett and Miriam Grau Casas.
Baba Yaga Boney Legs (2005)- an exciting
contemporary adventure based upon the legends of the Baba Yaga,
a powerful creature from Russian folk tales. Combining puppetry,
acrobatics and dynamic staging. Specially composed soundscape by
Verbal Vigilante Music. Designed in collaboration with Jo Pocock
("Shockheaded Peter").
The Enormous Turnip
- A Feast of Folk Tales (2003)- This show combines the famous story
of The Enormous Turnip with The Runaway Pancake and The Magic Porridge
Pot creating a feast for young eyes. Original music by Sarah Collins.
Sweetie Pie (2000) A modern day adaptation
of the tale of 'Hansel and Gretel'. Performed with Hannah Ringham
(SHUNT) and supported by the Puppet Centre Trust. Original music
by Jon Owen.
Around the World with Thurtinkle
(1996) Multicultural tales from Thurtinkle's suitcase. Thurtinkle
returns from travelling the world to tell his friend Rachel his
latest collection of tales from India, Australia and Brazil. Live
music and percussion combine with glove, shadow and string puppetry.
Thurtinkle's Telling Tales (1994).
Thurtinkle is a much loved storyteller from the Land of the Big
Noses, who lives in a very tiny house. When his friend Rachel comes
to visit, he opens his Magical Storybox - full to the brim with
Folk and Fairy tales that delight and fascinate children. Live music
and plenty of audience participation.
 THEATRE
FOR ADULTS - YOUNG AND OLD
'Genie in a Bottle' (2004) - a performance
by a dedicated group of young people in Manchester about how advances
in the sciences of genetics and nanotechnology could change the
way we live and society. DNA worked in partnership with Manchester
Museum and Contact Theatre. Funded by the Wellcome Trust and ACE.
'Sex 'n' Chips' (2001) was devised
by working with a group of 14-16 year olds in Blackpool as a year-long
project of peer education, and initially performed by those same
young people. DNA adapted the performance into a touring production
which toured in 2002, premiering at the Take Off festival of theatre
for children and young people.
'Skin Deep Circus' (1999) previewed
at BACs British Festival of Visual Theatre, the Green Room and Xtrax
Festival, Manchester. Specialist direction from Bob Frith, Artistic
Director of Horse
and Bamboo Theatre. Devised by the company in collaboration
with Danny Schlessinger/Sian De Lier, Theresa Grimaldi, and Gaby
Parker. A human ringmaster cruelly coerces his puppet acts to perform,
but his/her secret is revealed.
The Cabinet of Hearts (1996),
developed from a series of short pieces performed at the DNA Cabaret
and working with live musicians. Performed at LUTKE festival of
puppetry in Ljubliana, Slovenia.
DNA Cabaret (1994 - 2001), a showcase
of new work in puppetry and visual theatre for an adult audience.
By 1999 DNA produced over 50 cabarets at BAC, the Puppet
Centre 21st Birthday, for The
London International Mime Festival, the Lion & Unicorn in Kentish
Town, plus an Arts Council funded tour with directorial assistance
from Phelim McDermott and Sue Buckmaster. Over the years we had
many talented people perform such as Steve Tiplady, Blind Summit,
Kazuko Hohki, John Hegley, and Jason Maverick plus many many more
brilliant acts.
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