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SHOWS FOR CHILDREN

Puppet presenter of shows for children

All our shows for children are highly interactive, with audience participation throughout. 

For this reason, we’ve only been able to adapt some of them (marked ‘Online too‘) for online performance.

We hope to get back to face-to-face performances as soon as possible!

As you’ll see, there’s a brief synopsis of each story and a recommendation of which age-groups they’re initially intended for. 
However, please bear in mind that we can adapt most of them to suit differing ages and levels of English.  We grade both the language we use in the performances and the level of participation we expect.  All the shows can be performed in English, Spanish or ‘Spanglish’.  
 
Prices depend on various factors, such as how many shows you book, whether they’re on the same day, and how far (and if!) we have to travel.  There’s a sliding scale; we offer discounts for more than one show.  So please contact us for more information.
 

The Gingerbread Man  

This show is a fun variation on the traditional story. (Online too)

Age: 3 – 8
Duration: 40 – 45 mins
Level: A1 +
Linguistic content: Numbers, colours, parts of the body, animals, greetings, simple instructions, kitchen objects and food.

Extras:  The price includes a pdf file containing a list of the lexical items, a synopsis of the story, and ideas for activities that teachers can use with their classes both before and after the show.

Requirements:  A desk or table.

Notes: Since all the characters and scenery come out of a suitcase, we suggest a maximum audience of 60.  This show works very well on a class-to-class basis, as the input can be adapted per age-group and English level.  Online there’s no limit, of course.

John Harrop performing 'The Gingerbread Man' at infant school
John storytelling at the Valencia Book Fair

Storytelling 

We offer a wide range of storytelling sessions for children of all ages and language levels.  (Online too)

Age: All age-groups, from pre-school to retired – our oldest participant to date was 92! (See Shows for Teenagers & Adults)
Duration: 30 – 45 mins
Level: A1 +
Linguistic content: Depending on the story. 

Extras:  The price includes a pdf file containing a list of the lexical items, a synopsis of the story, and ideas for activities that teachers can use with their classes both before and after the show.

Requirements: None.

Kamishibai 

Storytelling with a difference, the Japanese way.  Instead of using a book, the story is illustrated with a series of picture boards revealed within a little wooden Kamishibai theatre.   (Online too)

Age: 3 – 8
Duration: 30 mins
Level: A1 +
Linguistic content: Depending on the story. 

Extras:  The price includes a pdf file containing a list of the lexical items, a synopsis of the story, and ideas for activities that teachers can use with their classes both before and after the show.

Requirements:  A desk or table.

John Harrop doing Kamishibai storytelling

Puss in Boots 

A shadow-puppet show telling the traditional story – more or less – in the Bat-i-Burrillo way!  (Online too)

Age:
Duration:
Level:
Linguistic content:

Extras:

Requirements:  A desk or table.

Details and photo to follow.

Manu, the Mind-Reading Monkey

Prepare to be amazed by Manu, a telepathic monkey from deepest, darkest Peru!

Age: 6 +
Duration: 20 – 25 mins
Level: A2 +
Linguistic content: Numbers, parts of the body, simple instructions, daily activities, letters of the alphabet.

Requirements:  None.

Notes:  This show is ideal for young learners.  However, it can easily be linguistically upgraded for an older audience, and has been very popular in secondary schools too. (See Shows for Teenagers & Adults)

'Manu the Mindreading Monkey' for secondary students
Puppets from 'The Case of the Missing Cake'

The Case of the Missing Cake

Today’s Dudley’s birthday – but where’s his cake?!  With the help of the children, Dudley turns detective to find out who’s stolen his cake.  Audience participation is vital in this fun show that combines puppetry and clowning.

 

Age: 5 – 10
Duration:
45 mins
Level:
A2 +
Linguistic content:
Numbers, colours, clothes, parts of the body, animals, greetings & leave-taking, birthday and games vocabulary.

 

Requirements:  A stage or area large enough to set up a puppet-booth, and for us to be able to move among the audience.

El Inocente Imprudente

A cautionary tale about the dangers of smoking and what happens when our hero meets the scary Bruja Nicotina and her retinue.  Fortunately, the Caballero Buenaire comes to save the day!

Age:  5 – 10
Duration:
30 – 40 mins

Notes: El Inocente Imprudente is based on a poem by Luis Lara, a doctor.  The show was originally written and performed in Spanish as part of the Heart Foundation’s educational campaign in schools.  It can, of course, be performed in English too.  This show lends itself more to performance in the children’s native language or in ‘Spanglish’.

Requirements:  A stage or area large enough to set up a puppet-booth.

El Inocente Imprudente y la Bruja Nicotina
Shakespeare and Puppet Cervantes in 'The Missing Years!'

Shakespeare: The Missing Years!

From 1586 to 1592, nobody really knows where Shakespeare was or what he was doing.  This mystery has baffled academics for years, but now Bat-i-Burrillo reveal all!  Find out how Shakespeare got his inspiration from being shipwrecked, fighting dragons and meeting Miguel de Cervantes!

Age: 6 +
Duration:
40 – 50 mins
Level:
A2 +
Linguistic content:
Past simple, ‘going to’ future, adjectives to describe people, places & events

Requirements:  Minimum space of 10 m².  If outside or in large auditorium, a sound system and/or access to power sockets & extension leads.

John Harrop performing 'Senses' from 'Theatre of the Mind'

Theatre of the Mind: The Senses

A blend of interactive storytelling and mentalist ‘magic’, this cross-curricular show is similar to an interactive listening exercise with intriguing visual clues. (It forms part of a series, but can also stand alone.)

Age: 8 +
Duration:
60 – 90 mins
Level:
A2/B1 +
Linguistic content:
Vocabulary relative to the senses (see/sight, hear/hearing, etc), modal verbs can and will.

Extras:  The price includes a pdf file containing a list of the vocabulary that will be used in the show. Teachers can use this either as preparation before the show, or for consolidation afterwards.

Requirements: A whiteboard/blackboard.

Cyber-Santa

Santa and his little helpers visit your classroom via Skype/Zoom!  Every student gets to talk to Santa in the North Pole via the webcam.

(Only online!  And only available in December!)

Age: 4 +
Duration:
10 mins per group
Level:
A1 +
Linguistic content:
numbers, colours, clothes, parts of the body, animals, greetings & leave-taking, basic instructions, Christmas carols and/or songs in English.

Extras:  The price includes a pdf file with lots of ideas and activities to help you get the most out of Santa’s visit, both before and after the show.

Requirements:  Webcam, smartboard or projection screen.

John Harrop onscreen as Cyber-Santa in ELI
Halloween disguises in theatre workshop

Theatre Workshop

Improvisation, character creation, working with masks are just some of the theatrical aspects we cover in this workshop.  But the emphasis is also on teambuilding, with lots of warmers, ice-breakers and cooperative activities based on those that actors do pre-show.

Age: 6 +
Duration:
45 – 50 mins
Level:
A2 +
Linguistic content:
This will depend on students’ levels.

Notes:  Apart from a brief introduction in Spanish to explain the rationale behind the workshop, English is the language used.  This works well even with low-level students, as there’s such a strong physical element to all the activities.

Requirements: None.