THERE’S nothing quite like spending time with children to fill you with hope and joy. This month The Merlin Theatre in Frome is embracing those feelings by offering two child-focused, interactive shows as part of its programme for the very littlest people in town.
Up first is Club Origami. Presented by Little Big Dance, this show is part of a pioneering national initiative creating new dance work for the under-fives and their families. The show starts with a single square of paper as it invites audiences to imagine, explore and play.
Beginning by simply scrunching the paper, dance and movement and live music turn special time into a creative adventure, together.
Club Origami is headed up by Japanese dance artist, performer and choreographer, Takeshi Matsumoto. Takeshi is also a qualified dance movement psychotherapist who has worked with children with autism and children and adults with learning disabilities as well as people living with dementia.
On a global level, he has led dance projects for families who survived nuclear disaster in northern Japan and for stateless refugee children in Thailand.
Interactive Club Origami dance show at the Merlin will be followed by a short stay-and-play session and takes place at both 11am and at 2.30pm on Tuesday 22nd February.
The following weekend, the joy continues when The People’s Theatre Company brings a beautifully interactive children’s musical, I Spy With My Little Eye, to this popular community arts venue.
Based on a brand new picture book by ‘How The Koala Learnt To Hug’ author, Steven Lee, this magical, fun show invites everyone to a birthday party with Molly and Bingo the puppy.
With a treasure hunt, games and sing-along songs, audiences are invited to turn up in their party clothes for sweet surprises, laughter and photos with the birthday girl after the show.
Grown-ups, bring your cameras at 2.30pm on Sunday 27th February for I Spy With My Little Eye (booking advised).
Tickets are available online and details of all prices, timings etc. are shown on the website at www.merlintheatre.co.uk
Club Origami pictures by Summer Dean
