Marvellous Productions tours nurseries and schools

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Fulham-based children’s playshow company Marvellous Productions are bringing their unique interactive performances to the borough’s nurseries and primary schools.

The 12 shows, aimed at children aged up to five, bring picture books to life and feature exciting costumes and props such as a giant toothbrush, toothpaste and blanket, fruit-shaped boxes and a colourful butterfly outfit. Children are given the chance to feel, smell and taste different props throughout the shows, which also incorporate songs, rhymes, stories, movement and music.

The one-hour performances, which run until 24 May, are as follows (full programme details attached):
The Very Hungry Caterpillar – based on the book by Eric Carle. A chance for
children to pretend they are caterpillars, crawl through giant fruit-shaped boxes,
taste fruits and get inside a chrysalis. Session also looks at the changes in the life
of a child – being a baby, a toddler, going to school and what you want to be when
you grow up.
I Am Not Sleepy – based on the book by Lauren Child. Giant toothbrush,
Toothpaste tube and communal blanket among the props at this session, which
explores the difference between night and day and the importance of sleep.

Mrs Marvel, who becomes a librarian during the performances, gives the children tokens to obtain free copies of the books featured in the shows from local libraries. Meanwhile early years and teaching staff are taking part in interactive drama skills workshops run by Marvellous Productions at Fulham Library exhibition hall.

The programme, called In, Round, Through and Off!, is funded by the Peabody Trust’s Local Network Fund, Earls Court and Olympia exhibition venues, the Daisy Trust and Hammersmith & Fulham Council’s early years service. Marvellous Productions are also supported by the council’s library service and gave a series of successful performances in libraries last summer.

Cllr David Williams, deputy for education, said: “Marvellous Productions are aptly named. This local playshow company’s colourful and creative performances help to bring books alive and are great fun for young children. Families are being encouraged to seek out these and other stories in their local libraries, which run their own programmes of story and craft sessions for children, while Marvellous Productions are also passing on their drama skills to local teachers and early years workers. We would like to thank the funders of this project for their support.”

May 8, 2005