3 August 2017
This week marks One Hundred Days since the Prep/Yr 1 intake started their first year of school. Many schools are now celebrating this milestone. Good idea! Why not book one of our shows now, for next year?
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3 August 2017
Image above: Dream Puppets from their primary school production of The Tempest
Congrats to the Dream Puppets Company who participated in the Nanchong Puppetry Festival this year in June. They so impressed that they have been invited back to China in December for the 5th Quanzhou Puppetry Festival.
This is a small incursion company (2 people, Richard Hart and Julia Davis) who perform in schools but whose work is of a great standard. It's marvellous to see their work being recognised and lauded. They are based in Victoria, but will be performing in Sydney in the September school holidays.
Image below - Dream Puppets at the Nanchong festival. Puppet Companies from around the world were welcomed as competing troupes and were judged on their presentations.
Image below: The Opening Ceremony in Nanchong
Dream Puppets are currently touring two shows for Primary students. Dreamer in the Deep (image below) and The Tempest.
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31 July 2017
There are some great shows kicking off the second half of the year. Here are a few
Image: Coma Land
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30 July 2017
Good on everyone who participated
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25 July 2017
Fingers crossed there'll be some great shows for schools audiences.
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24 July 2017
Many teachers will recall the incredible work of Melbourne's visual theatre company, Handspan Theatre. Much of the company’s repertoire during its 25 year history (1977 – 2002) was for young audiences – predominantly presented in schools.
Now you can revisit their repertoire in a website that archives their shows with commentary and occasional anecdotes of their time.
The website was created and developed by Helen Rickards and Maeve Vella. Check it out here
Image; Four life-size paper figures unfold in the opening scene of Four Little Girls,
Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne, 1988. ★ Photograph © David Simmonds 1988
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23 July 2017
Tourism for people with a social conscience can not only result in the tourists being exploited, but have a far-reaching negative effect on local communities.
A new type of tourism, called Orphanage Tourism, has become so popular in poorer countries, that orphanages are often filled with children who have parents. Globally, up to 8 million children live in institutions, but over 80% of these children have parents or family. They are in the orphanages because of the "demand" from the tourists.
Before heading off to "volunteer" or donate, check the bona fides of the institutions you're assisting. After all, children are not a tourist attraction.
Read more here
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21 July 2017
What is considered safe parenting now is so different to say, that in the 1970's, where children were able to roam about and left to their own devices.
Now, playing at home, inside, is standard for 8 -12 year olds and the distance they are allowed from home has shrunk 90% since the 1970's. (read more)
Parents worry more now. The "helicopter" parent hovers, ready to fly in and solve, help or protect. The "lawnmower" parent is ahead of the child, smoothing the way, predicting problems.
All this attention from parents isn't actually helping children, as teachers are aware. Always providing stimulation dulls creativity and imagination, the hovering parent can create anxiety in the child. Risk taking is part of development.
50 years ago, Donald Woods, a paediatrician and psychoanalyst introduced "good enough parenting" as a way to develop secure, independent children. Perhaps he was onto something..
Read more here
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18 July 2017
It is a truth universally acknowledged.... that we still love Jane Austen
Today is the anniversary of Jane Austen's death, at the age of 41, in 1817. Her books, and their TV and film adaptations, remain immensely popular because people still feel connected to her characters and stories.
The settings may be the glamorous Regency period, but the passions and flaws of her characters and their situations have timeless appeal.
Some favourite Austen quotes:
Read more about why her works still resonate here
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17 July 2017
Hope you had a great mid-year break!
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13 July 2017
The vast change in work practices in Britain, with zero hours contracts and low pay, dubbed the "gig" economy have given rise to lots of discussion about " a living wage" harking back 100 years or more when it was first raised in the British Parliament ( by Winston Churchill).
Ironically, employment rates are high, but it hasn't resulted in better conditions or higher pay for workers. The UK is the only country in the EU where employment rates have risen but wages have fallen.
It is difficult for many workers to cover the cost of living.
The British Govt instigated the Taylor Review to examine modern work practices. It has highlighted the current situation, but, disappointingly not made any recommendations likely to improve the situation for workers.
Read more here
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