Theatre group woos kids with classic witchcraft
Autumn is the time of days shortening, temperatures dropping and skies fogging. With the dress-ups of Halloween still fresh in their minds, children young and old will flock to Dieselverkstaden in Nacka over the next two weekends to participate in an afternoon of witchery and entertainment hosted by the Stockholm Players.
The afternoon starts with a 40-minute adaptation of Roald Dahl’s ‘The Witches’. This classic and much-loved story centres on Lotta and her beloved Grandmamma, who have to stop the witches of England from getting rid of all the children. “But these aren’t the broomstick-flying hat-bearing witches you hear of at Halloween,” explains Anna Cottle, who adapted and directed the play. “Oh no, real witches are much harder to find!”.
What’s unique about this production is the interactivity. After audiences see the play, they get an opportunity to meet the actors and try out for themselves the joys of dramatic games, make-up and costumes. Through short workshops, children and their parents have a chance to explore and learn some of the behind-the-scenes ingredients that go into putting on a production.
The afternoon is a new concept for Sweden’s oldest English-speaking theatre company.
“We wanted to put on a show that was entertaining for families and gives lots of people the chance to get involved,” says producer Lesley Treugut. “By letting them get hands-on, we’re hoping to spark enthusiasm for the theatre among young people, as well as giving them an afternoon of fun in English.”
The entertainment is designed for children over 7 years old, and lasts 2 hours with a short snack break. The idea seems to already be a hit, with advance bookings selling out the premiere. Some seats are still available for the weekend of 28-29 November.
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The afternoon starts with a 40-minute adaptation of Roald Dahl’s ‘The Witches’. This classic and much-loved story centres on Lotta and her beloved Grandmamma, who have to stop the witches of England from getting rid of all the children. “But these aren’t the broomstick-flying hat-bearing witches you hear of at Halloween,” explains Anna Cottle, who adapted and directed the play. “Oh no, real witches are much harder to find!”.
What’s unique about this production is the interactivity. After audiences see the play, they get an opportunity to meet the actors and try out for themselves the joys of dramatic games, make-up and costumes. Through short workshops, children and their parents have a chance to explore and learn some of the behind-the-scenes ingredients that go into putting on a production.
The afternoon is a new concept for Sweden’s oldest English-speaking theatre company.
“We wanted to put on a show that was entertaining for families and gives lots of people the chance to get involved,” says producer Lesley Treugut. “By letting them get hands-on, we’re hoping to spark enthusiasm for the theatre among young people, as well as giving them an afternoon of fun in English.”
The entertainment is designed for children over 7 years old, and lasts 2 hours with a short snack break. The idea seems to already be a hit, with advance bookings selling out the premiere. Some seats are still available for the weekend of 28-29 November.
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