THE COAT OF UMPTEEN POCKETS
(A Hackney primary school, tour of Suffolk and Shropshire primary schools, Ledbury Poetry Festival and The Suffolk Fun Festival 2011—2013)
'I loved your play. I liked all your poems. My favourites were 'The Giant' and 'The Nose'. I liked it when you said bum, it was funny because you said a rude word. The fat cat was funny because he ate lots of sausages.' — SAFFY, AGE 9
This show for primary schools was performed by Wonderful Beast theatre company. The production was based on Umpteen Pockets, a book of collected poems for children written by the late beloved and most popular of poets, Adrian Mitchell (favourite of the former Aldeburgh Poetry Festival). Wonderful Beast is committed to keeping Adrian’s words alive and, like he did, visiting schools and encouraging children to write and perform their own poetry.
Two actors, including Adrian’s daughter Sasha, and a musician, brought these funny, insightful, playful and beautiful poems to life. Each performer had a magical coat with ‘umpteen pockets’, out of which appeared poems and songs to make children laugh, listen, dig deep into their imaginations, and to sing.
After the performance Wonderful Beast provided a workshop, in which the children wrote and performed their own poems under the guidance of the artists (all of whom have extensive experience of working in schools). Our aim was to leave the school with inspiring ideas for writing poetry to be developed and built on.
Two actors, including Adrian’s daughter Sasha, and a musician, brought these funny, insightful, playful and beautiful poems to life. Each performer had a magical coat with ‘umpteen pockets’, out of which appeared poems and songs to make children laugh, listen, dig deep into their imaginations, and to sing.
After the performance Wonderful Beast provided a workshop, in which the children wrote and performed their own poems under the guidance of the artists (all of whom have extensive experience of working in schools). Our aim was to leave the school with inspiring ideas for writing poetry to be developed and built on.
FEEDBACK FROM SCHOOLS:
'The children loved it. They were actively engaged throughout and responded well to the visual aspect particularly. A lovely mix of music, poetry and drama.' — TEACHER
'I thought poetry was boring but you proved me wrong.' — EUAN, 10
'...you dont just read a poem, you feel a poem as well. And you (the actors) put real power and expression into the poems.' — JAMES, 8
'I like it how you told us a really quiet story then at the end Matt done a really big sneeze what really ruined the moment.' — MARNEY, 8
'We closed our eyes and went to our own magic land' — TOM, 10
cast |
creatives |
|
Sasha Mitchell
Matthew Prendergast |
Director/Pianist: Alys Kihl
Designer: Ruth Paton Photography: Anthea Sieveking |
funders
Cochemé Charitable Trust
Barbara Whatmore Charitable Trust
Barbara Whatmore Charitable Trust
