Wednesday 18 November 2009

Rehearsal!

We had a rehearsal today. I felt like we got lots of work done actually! There was one idea in particular I really like, I think the majority of the group really liked the idea. We will have a Q&A with Santa! The children, or their parents will be able to ask Santa any questions they might want to ask. This means that the material can be changed depending on who is asking the questions, this continues on from the idea I had about the fact that it is a family fun day, and therefore not just for children. This will be adlibed so obviously the person playing santa will have to be fast on their feet when questions are asked, the results of this could be quite comical!

Also we were having a little think about set, and I mentioned that it might be nice to have a couple of specific places where stories are told, so these place will have a static set that doesn't particularly change. I suggested a little rug and a Christmas tree, with some twinkly lights or something? This will give the area a Christmassy but also homely feel for the children and adults, to relax into the story.

I want to kidnap Frank to come with us every weekend! He came in and told us a story that he had come up with in about 2 minutes at the beginning of the rehearsal! It was brilliant he was talking to us about some storytelling techniques that he likes to use when performing. Like pronounciation and really enjoying the words for example. And enjoying the material and using body language to connect with the audience, I will definitely be taking his advice on board, and remembering all of the tips form the storytelling module last year.

I believe we are all writing our own stories this week, so good luck people!!

x

Monday 16 November 2009

OOOOH Ghost Tours!!

Hi guys, haven't blogged for a while!
Would just like to write a quick post about the inspiration of the ghost tour! It was excellent, for anyone that went, how much did you love the old guy?! He was brilliant!

He got me really thinking about storytelling technique, as his dramatic pauses were brill! Also I was thinking that the guy who took us round the house mentioned that they do a ghost tour for kids! It makes you think about when you were little, remember telling ghost stories with a torch to your friends and all freaking each other out? hilarious! Don't really think ghost stories would be appropriate for a Christmas/winter theme, which is a shame because kids love being freaked out.

Really glad we have decided to have some of us walking around the house in character as this will give the weekends a real feeling of authenticity for not only the children, but the adults too! It would be funny to whisper a bit of adult humour into their ears occasionally, make it more about the adults as well, after all it is a FAMILY fun day after all!

Thinking its really great that we are now having a meeting every Wednesday as well as Friday mornings as I think rehearsal is paramount at this stage in the game. Great to hear all the stories on Friday! Absolutely loved the idea of approaching the children in character and letting them choose what they want to hear, I would say probably the most effective way to get the best out of kids... letting them get their own way in a sense!

Any way bloggers see you all on Wednesday!

P.S Zoe don't make me run around again!!

x