Little Angel Theatre March - April
Princess and the Pea: 10th Mar–14th Mar 2010
Children & Families
Once upon a stormy night, while the wind and the rain were howling outside, the Royals were all tucked up warm in bed. Suddenly there came a knock at the door and a very wet, very untidy girl was brought inside. This quirky and inventive adaptation of Hans Andersen's bedtime tale is played out among sheets and blankets with puppets, objects and dreamlike projections.
'Very inventive stuff - the three year old who accompanied this reviewer was quickly at ease and enthralled' The Stage
Following the sell-out production at Polka and Little Angel last spring, Banyan presents this intimate and visually beautiful one-person show.
Nina Conti: Talk to the Hand 12th Mar 2010
Adults
Hilarious new show from Britain's leading ventriloquist. Brand new characters take Nina veering off-script and gain direct access to her uncensored mind. With the unpredictable impulses and secrets of Nina's brain in charge, anything can happen - no two shows will be the same.
This is a special preview performance before Nina jets off to tour Australia with this show. Following her hit appearances at SUSPENSE London Puppetry Festival and Puppet Grinder Cabaret, Nina returns to Little Angel for this special one-off show.
“I adored every second, a must-see for the mildly deranged.”
Melbourne Age
"A mighty imagination at work"
Sunday Times
Three Good Wives: 16th Mar–28th Mar 2010
Adults
US based company Inkfish return to Little Angel with their original puppet theater 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. 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.
There will be a post-show Q&A with the director on Wed 24 March.
Videk's Shirt: 21st Mar–25th Apr 2010
Children & Families
After last spring's sell-out performances this much loved Slovenian children's story by Fran Levstik returns to Little Angel.
Videk is a small boy who is very friendly with all the animals in the countryside. One day the wind blows away his raggedy shirt. Videk is cold - who can help him? Come with Videk on a journey with his animal friends and learn how the sheep's wool is made into a lovely new warm shirt.
"Videk's Shirt" is an intimate interactive storytelling piece.
The Great Puppet Horn: 1st Apr 2010
Adults
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. 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.
Who's Been Sitting in my Chair?: 7th Apr–11th Apr 2010
Children & Families
A delightful and playful interpretation of a well-known tale – with porridge and bears and one-two-three chairs. A tale that's not too BIG and not too small but just right. Mind you, telling this story is not so easy when it's wintertime and the bears won't wake up – Zzzzzzzzz – what do bears dream about? But spring in the air puts a spring in all our steps and one little girl with golden hair is always a step ahead. And when Small Bear gets lost, we all have to go on a bear hunt!
With original music, this play is for everyone who can count to three – especially if you're aged 3 to 7!
The Lanchester Marionettes: 17th Apr 2010
Adults
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.
Join us for an evening of history and performance as the Lanchester marionettes are brought back to life!
Jack Pratchard: 18th Apr 2010
Adults
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 through paper theatre. With beautifully coloured scenes and characters, the world Jonathan Storey creates is like an animated painting.
Directed by Seonaid Goody.
Sad Lucy- A Fish Opera: 20th Apr–21st Apr 2010
Adults
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
Oh What a Sh*tty War! and Suitcase Circus - Double Bill: 23rd Apr 2010
Adults
In Oh What a Sh*tty War! 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
Abraham and Isaac and Journey of the Magi - Double Bill: 24th Apr 2010
Adults
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. A double bill of opera 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)
The Fabulous Flutterbys: 1st May–4th Jul 2010
Children & Families
This brand new production follows the adventures of two very different caterpillars who eat their way to success! Hamish and Grace are searching for their missing friend. As they travel through their insect sized world they encounter a host of fabulous and fascinating creatures, including blues-singing Slow Worm Joe, a patch of mean strawberries and Adam and his army of marching ants. They have a long journey ahead of them before they can become beautiful flutterbys.
With music, book and lyrics by celebrated jazz legend Barb Jungr (www.barbjungr.co.uk) and directed by Little Angel's Artistic Director Peter Glanville.