Aché Brasil

Aché is West African lingo for ‘positive life force’, and Aché Brasil, now based in Canada, electrifies its audiences with an explosion of high energy performance. Aché Brasil presents a mix of popular and traditional Afro-Brazilian music, with amazing acrobatics and dance driven by a combination of Brazil’s most infectious rhythms. Whilst their music is rooted in the forms that we associate with Brazil – Samba, Maracatu, Coco de Roda and Capoeira – Aché has evolved popular interpretations of these rhythms that is their contribution to the continuing evolution of Brazilian music. Country: Brazil Official Website: http://www.achebrasil.com

   

The Mayhem Poets

These guys are definitely never lost for words! This mind boggling, entertaining performance blends raw elements of hip hop, theatre, improvisation and stand-up comedy to tell a few home truths, and jokes, about the confusing bits of life. This award-winning, show (winner of 1st prize in Microsoft Idea Wins Challenge 2006) stays fresh no matter the venue or audience.  Mayhem Poets are all about the fun of word play and the pleasure of getting your tongue around an endlessly changing language. Don’t miss this chance to hear English in a whole new light. “The Mayhem Poets communicated important truths about the power of words and about human values” Don Gilpin, English department chair – USA. Country: Washington USA Official Website: http://www.mayhempoets.com

 

Puppet State Theatre

The Man Who Planted Trees

Multi award-winning Scottish company ‘Puppet State Theatre’ brings you their captivating adaptation of Jean Giono’s environmental cult classic. A French shepherd sets out with his dog to plant a forest and transform a barren wasteland. Hear the wind, feel the rain, smell the lavender in this multi-sensory, theatrical delight. An unforgettable story that shows us the difference one man (and his dog!) can make to the world. A unique blend of comedy, puppetry and inspiring storytelling strikes a chord with children and adults alike. The story strikes a chord, not just with children and young people, but also with their parents and grandparents and any adult who comes accompanied by their own inner child. ‘The Man Who Planted Trees’ has been performed over 1,500 times to international audiences in such far flung places as Bermuda, Kuala Lumpur, Ohio and just off Broadway in New York. Awards include: Eco Prize for Creativity 2007, Total Theatre Award for Story Theatre 2008, Victor Award for best show at the International Performing Arts for Youth Showcase in Cleveland, Ohio and Best Children’s Show at the Brighton Festival 2009. Country: UK (Scotland) Official Website: http://www.puppetstate.com    

Les Voisins

The Queen of Colours

A little Queen lives in a kingdom of white, which makes for a very dull life. She instructs the Court Painter to bring her a splash of colour! And the change is beautiful. But the more colour she requests the more problems arise. Based on Jutta Bauer’s book of the same title this award winning blend of live painting, shadow puppetry, video and music has thrilled audiences around the world, charmed by the story as we join the Queen in realizing that it only takes a touch of colour to make the world a more beautiful place. Country: France Official Website: http://www.evanoell-paulolbrich.com  

 

 

Teatro Kismet

Little Mysteries

Little Mysteries is an entrancing and beautiful theatre piece created especially for very young audiences. Using song, chants, mime and movement, this captivating and poetic show takes little children through a series of short magical scenes inspired by the rituals of traditional bread making, as practiced in the south of Italy. Actress Rossana Farinati is one of the founder members of internationally acclaimed Teatro Kismet, and children are invited to share some special moments with her at the end of the performance. The production was created by Rossana with director Laurent Dupont, one of Europe’s leading specialists in theatre for early years. Little Mysteries won the award for best theatre production for young audiences in Italy 10 years ago, and has continued to delight little ones and their parents at theatres and festivals around the world. Country: Italy Official Website: http://www.teatrokismet.org  

Little Rays

Puppet Making

Inspired by Puppet State Theatre Company’s production of The Man Who Planted Trees, these workshops will take place in the Brewery Theatre and the Tobacco Factory Theatre foyer. Come along and create your own fabulous puppet character! This action packed, hour long workshop with Cori Bona will teach you how to make a rod puppet, that you can take home and create adventures and stories with. Using paper, fabric and rods you can build a beautiful working puppet and learn how to move it. Cori Bona of Little Rays Puppetry has been delivering workshops in schools and theaters around the UK since 2008. Cori is a puppeteer and a puppet maker, She trained with the internationally renowned Green Ginger and at The Bristol Old Vic Theatre school. She hopes to inspire others to see how versatile and useful puppetry can be in capturing imagination and inspiring creativity. Suitable for 8yrs + Country: UK (England) Official Website: http://littlerays.wordpress.com  

Michelle Luckes

Movement and Music

Join well known Bristol based dance practitioner Michelle Luckes and explore the themes of the show The Queen of Colours through movement. This workshop will use a variety props as a stimulus for colourfully creative dance activity. Workshops will offer children (and accompanying adult) the opportunity to explore their natural physicality and develop movement skills in a creative, fun and safe environment. Michelle is a freelance theatre choreographer and she has worked at Bristol Old Vic, National Youth Theatre Wales, English Touring Opera and continues to work regularly with Myrtle Theatre Company based at the Tobacco Factory. An accomplished and PGCE qualified dance teacher, Michelle has designed and led workshops for a range of groups and arts organisations including National Student Drama Festival, Welsh National Opera, Swindon National Dance Agency, St Georges Brandon Hill and Wigmore Hall in London. Michelle has also become an expert in early years and runs Boogie Bop, popular creative dance classes for children in Bristol. Suitable for 4-7yr olds  

Ilu Axe’s Jon Hardeman

Brazilian Drumming

Inspired by Aché Brasil, this workshop is suitable for all ages and open to all – no previous drumming experience required. Experience playing Brazilian instruments, used in Samba-Reggae and Afoxé, the Carnival music of the North-East of Brazil in this high energy workshop hosted by Bristol’s very own Ilu Axe. Jon is a Candomblé initiate and has been honoured with the title ‘Ogã Alabê’. He has considerable knowledge of Samba-Reggae and is a skilled and experienced teacher, band leader and musical director, having taught and worked with many UK Samba and Samba-Reggae groups. He has studied, performed, taught and recorded all styles, forms and instruments of Brazilian music for over 25 years. Jon has also worked with many renowned Brazilian master drummers and dancers, including Rosangela Silvestre, Augosto Omolu, Laerco do Anjos, Giba Gonzalves and Everaldo Santos Brito Related performance with Aché Brasil at Colston Hall Country: UK/France/Brazil Official Website: http://www.jonhardeman.com  

Rachel Davies Film Ltd

The Light Garden

Award-winning filmmaker Rachel Davies has created an enchanting cinematic camping experience for children aged from 18 months to 4 years old. Children begin their adventure in the dark armed with torches. They are then led by animated pebbles to cinematic tents before they reach a smouldering ‘campfire’. Just around the corner, a magical cave and beanbag hillside lie waiting complete with crawling ladybirds and illuminated switches that have the power to control the weather over the campsite. Over the 20 minutes of the experience a darkening canopy of sky shifts from dawn to dusk, ending with a mesmerising full moon through which dancers can be seen. The Light Garden is an innovative and exciting performance experience for young children and their families. Country: UK (England) Official Website: http://www.racheldavies.com