We are delighted to announce Theatre, Puppetry, and Storytelling for Schools.
Join us for an inspiring series of performances and workshops designed for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 students. These exciting events offer a blend of live theatre, puppetry, and storytelling, providing an enriching experience for children that explores culture, history, and creativity.
Live Performance: “Anansi and the Lost Sun”
Date: Friday 4 July
Performance Times: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm & 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Cost: £120 per class (maximum 30 students)
Packed Lunches: Arrangements can be made for pupils to eat packed lunches in the church between 12:30 pm & 1:30 pm on request.
Join us for a 50-minute live performance of the West African tale Anansi and the Lost Sun, presented by Swallow’s Wing Puppetry. This captivating show brings a stunning mix of puppetry, traditional music, and storytelling. The performance tells the story of Anansi the Spider and his quest to bring back light to the world after darkness falls. Through this magical tale, students will learn about the importance of oral history, migration, and cultural heritage.
The performance will also include:
· An introduction that sets the historical context of the story.
· An explanation of how the puppets are made using recycled materials, empowering children with the knowledge of sustainability and creativity.
“Carolene is absolutely marvelous!! She is a captivating story-teller, performer and artist. Our Year 2s were gripped from start to finish!” – Debbie Hobbs, Haberdashers’ School for Girls, Elstree.
About the Performers: Swallow’s Wing Puppetry are London-based Black Creatives empowering children with a reverence for African-Caribbean culture and history. This performance is a celebration of African heritage and an exciting opportunity for students to engage with diverse storytelling traditions.
Storytelling Workshop with Peter Chand
Date: Thursday 3 July
Session Time: Max 2-hour session (morning or afternoon by arrangement)
Cost: £120 per class (maximum 30 students)
Bring your students’ creativity to life with a storytelling workshop led by Peter Chand, one of Europe’s finest storytellers. This lively, two-hour session will guide students through creating an original story. From brainstorming ideas to developing characters, Peter will help your pupils strengthen their oracy skills, build confidence, and stretch their imaginations.
Workshop Focus:
· Developing oracy skills
· Nurturing original ideas and creativity
· Confidence building and stretching imaginations
About Peter Chand: Peter Chand is a highly sought-after storyteller who has captivated audiences worldwide, from Southall to Singapore, and Dublin to Delhi. His storytelling style is evocative and moving, with tales from the Indian subcontinent. Peter often collects traditional stories from his family in Punjab, India, and shares them with schools and audiences across the globe.
How to Book:
We expect high demand for both the performance and workshops, so please email tina@ripontheatrefestival.org as soon as possible to register your interest.
Payment for bookings must be made by the end of May.
We look forward to welcoming your school to the Ripon Theatre Festival for an unforgettable experience!