Dogs Don't Do Ballet Tour 2014 Marketing Pack

Dogs Don’t Do Ballet Tour 2014

Marketing Pack Little Angel Theatre Copy

Dogs Don’t Do Ballet

CREDITS Based on the book by Anna Kemp with illustrations by Sara Ogilvie, published by Simon and Schuster Ltd. Adapted by David Duffy and Andrea Sadler Directed by David Duffy Puppet Design by Keith Frederick Set Design by Tim Sykes Sound Designed and Recorded by Reuben Cornell Piano performed by Alex Carter

Performed by Andrea Sadler and Ronnie Le Drew

A Little Angel Theatre Production

Biff is not like ordinary dogs. He likes moonlight. And music. And walking on his tiptoes. You see, Biff doesn’t think he’s a dog, Biff thinks he’s a ballerina…

The sublime and the ridiculous combine in this hilarious story of a small dog with a big personality and even bigger dreams, brought to life using beautiful puppets, well-loved ballet music and dazzling comedy.

Where possible please add the following text:

Show criteria at a glance: Show Title: Dogs Don’t Do Ballet Event Type: Children’s Theatre Genres: Family Theatre, Puppetry Running time: 45 minutes Age Range: 2 years and above (family) Cast:2 performers Crew: 1 stage manager Technical Essentials: We require at least 6m stage width and 5m stage depth and at least 3m height.

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Reviews:

This is a rollicking romp of a show that also manages to subtly pose questions about difference and stereotyping. It's also probably the only place you'll get to watch a dog in a pink tutu dance to Swan Lake …….This is one children's show where the adults are guaranteed to laugh as hard as the kids (and probably more). Little Angel's latest production tells the superbly silly and at times wonderfully surreal story of ballet-mad mutt, Biff, whose dream is to become a ballerina and dance alongside his owner, the similarly ballet-smitten Anna. Rebecca Taylor, Time Out *****

If you see only one children’s show this month then it should be this witty, charming, engaging piece of miniature theatre. It’s billed for age two to six, but there is, please note, no upper age limit…..Poignancy - we hear snatches of Tchaikovsky, Delibes, Scott Joplin, Hertel, Prokofiev and more - alternates with hilarity borne of the incongruity of it all. And underlying all this, of course, is a gentle message for 2013 about stereotyping and preclusion. Why shouldn’t a dog do ballet if he wants to? Susan Elkin, The Stage

If you only take your children to one show make sure that it is ‘Dogs Don’t Do Ballet’ ….. the production is enchanting, hilarious, expertly performed and suitable for all ages. The combination of music, comedic storytelling, puppetry and warm performances is an absolute winner. A beautifully conceived show with lovely costumes, playful ballerina puppets, a delightful Anna and an adorable Biff. My seven year scored this 10 out of 10. Bryony Hegarty, N16 Magazine

Productions at the Little Angel Theatre are always a delight, but I don’t think I’ve ever heard so much children’s laughter ringing out around the converted chapel as at Dog’s Don’t Do Ballet … There is slapstick humour as well as some beautifully poignant moments and great songs. Well worth seeing to fire your little ones’ imagination. Emma Bartholomew, Hackney Gazette

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About Little Angel Theatre

"there is magic in this compact theatre and its glowing stage" Time Out

Little Angel Theatre is "the Home of British Puppetry" and one of only three building-based puppet theatres in England. Established in 1961, our Islington-based theatre is the centre of our activities. The 100 seat theatre stands side-by-side with the workshop, where all our new productions and puppets are developed, carved and constructed. We are dedicated to the celebration and development of puppetry and live animation in all its diverse forms.

Producing and Supporting Excellence For over 50 years we have been providing high quality puppet theatre aimed at family audiences, and we are continuing to extend our work for young children and adults. Not only do we produce our own shows which play in-house and tour nationally and internationally, but we also welcome puppetry companies from around the UK and overseas to perform on our stage. Little Angel has built a reputation as a leader in the field of puppetry.

"wonderful work that celebrates the possibilities of theatre" The Guardian

Our Education & Participation programme is a core part of our work, reaching ages 2 to adult. It includes clubs and fun days for 2-11 year-olds, a youth theatre for 11-16 year-olds, and evening adult courses for beginner and practising puppeteers. For schools we offer tours, post-show Q&As, in-school workshops in making and performing and INSET for teachers.

Little Angel is also a centre of professional development and research for puppetry. We provide on-going training opportunities for puppeteers/puppet makers and our INCUBATE season (in collaboration with Central School of Speech and Drama), alongside our scratch festival HATCH, facilitates the development of new work. Our new FIRSTS festival, which started in 2013, supports new and emerging companies.

Page 3 Little Angel Theatre Audience We recommend that the production is marketed to children aged two and over. At Little Angel we are strict about our age restrictions so do not allowed children under the age of two into any performances unless they are is a ‘baby friendly’ performance. With a show running at 45 minutes we find that children under the age of two get restless and may also distract the other children in the audience. Of course the final decision on letting younger children into the auditorium lies with your front of house manager.

As well as marketing to school audiences, Dogs Don’t Do Ballet is also suitable for playgroups, nursery’s and children’s centres.

Bad Language: None

Strobe/flashing lights: None

Age restriction: 2 years plus

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Who do we send weekly sales/financial figures to? Please send them to [email protected] & [email protected]

Who is presenting it? Little Angel Theatre, home of British puppetry since 1961. Directed by David Duffy, with puppets made by Keith Frederick and the set designed by Tim Sykes.

What is it about? Biff is not like ordinary dogs. He doesn't do dog stuff like peeing on lampposts, scratching his fleas or drinking out of toilets. If you throw him a stick, he'll just look at you like you're crazy. No, Biff is no ordinary dog. Biff likes moonlight and music and walking on his tiptoes. You see, Biff doesn't think he's a dog, Biff thinks he's a ballerina, which is all very well ...But dogs don't do ballet - do they? The hilarious story of a small dog with a big personality and even bigger dreams! The story is told using table top puppetry.

Who wrote it? The original book was written by Anna Kemp. The illustrations are by Sara Ogilvie and it was originally published by Simon and Schuster Ltd in 2010.

Creative Team Adapted by David Duffy and Andrea Sadler Directed by David Duffy Puppet Design by Keith Frederick Set Design by Tim Sykes Sound Designed and Recorded by Reuben Cornell Piano performed by Alex Carter

Age Range Suitable for ages 2 years +

Running Time 45 minutes

Interval None

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Other images and higher res images are available upon Images request. Please contact: [email protected] All images credited to Little Angel Theatre.

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All the logos printed below must be included as part of any print or publicity materials.

Please can proofs of all publicity material be sent for approval to: [email protected].

Generally the logo should be placed top left of any document

EPS version attached to the email should be used for print.

JPG version attached should be used for screen.

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Company biogs

David Duffy Director and Co-Adaptor David developed an appetite for puppetry at Little Angel, where he has been Technical Manager for the past five years. His previous jobs have included Resident Stage Manager at the Kings Head Theatre and Technical Manager at Theatre Peckham – an experience that uncovered his love of dance. David spends most Saturday mornings standing outside his daughter's ballet class in Epping Forest South District Scout Hut, watching them through a small grilled window as they do their pony walks and soldier marching.

Keith Frederick Puppets and Costume Designer/Maker Given his first puppet at the age of 5, Keith was immediately bitten by the puppetry bug – though his career path initially took a different path. Having studied fashion, he first became a designer and pattern cutter in the clothing industry, during which time he worked for John Galliano, Frank Usher, Chaka Khan, Julian Clary, and Marks & Spencer. He also spent 5 years in the Royal Navy and served on board the Royal Yacht Britannia as a Royal Steward, looking after the Royal Family and acting as ship’s tailor. In 2008 Keith started volunteering for the Little Angel Theatre as an usher and was soon helping to make costumes, props and puppets. This is Keith’s first professional commission and he hopes it will be the first of many. Keith’s assistant on this production was Eliska Sustova

Tim Sykes Set and Props Designer Tim’s designs have featured in many shows including: Bodytalk and Search and Destroy for Stephen Daldry at the Royal Court; The Police for BAC; Cressida Among The Greeks for White Bear Theatre; Picnic On A Battlefield for Gate Theatre; Mississippi Toronto for Finborough Theatre; Prince On A White Bike for Southwark Playhouse; Christmas Cat and the Pudding Pirates for Watermill Newbury; Surf for the National Theatre and work on the original tour of An Inspector Calls and subsequent tours; Enter Achiilles and Bound To Please for DV8 Dance . His film and TV work has included Jonathon Dove and Nick Wright’s opera Man on The Moon, Nigel Slater’s Toast! starring Helena Bonham Carter; Matthew Bourne’s The Carman; David Alden’s Die Winterreisse; Modern Toss; Like It Is with Roger Daltry and Eight, Stephen Daldry’s first film. He has worked on music videos for artists including Orbital, Robbie Williams, Westlife and George Michael. Tim was also a marionettist in The Wild Night Of the Witches at Little Angel.

Alex Carter Pianist Alex is a composer and performer who plays a large number of different instruments - piano, guitar, mandolin, violin, viola and more. He has previously composed and performed string quartet music for a fundraising evening for Little Angel, and the Grosvenor House Hotel, playing viola. He featured in the Little Angel productions Stuff and Nonsense, Fantastic Mr Fox and Alice in Wonderland. He performs with The Puppetellers in their productions Videk’s Shirt and The Little Red Hen, and has played live with Jonny L of True Steppers. Alex also doubles up as Little Angel’s Front of House Manager. It is very possible he gave you your ticket today.

Reuben Cornell Sound Design and Recording Classically trained on the piano since the age of four, Reuben is a modern composer and sound designer with an ear for the authentic. He writes music for TV including prime-time BBC shows and US exports such as America's Next Top Model. Reuben is also an accomplished music journalist with regular technical features in Computer Music Magazine. He enjoys bringing his creative and technical flair for sound design to the Little Angel as he's always had a love for puppetry. Find out more at www.reubencornell.co.uk

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Andrea Sadler Performer and Co-Adaptor Andrea has appeared in several Little Angel productions including Fantastic Mr Fox, Cindermouse and The Fabulous Flutterbys. She is especially excited to be returning in a show that Little Angel have asked her to co-create. Andrea trained at The Central School of Speech and Drama, graduating with First Class Honours. She has enjoyed a wide variety of roles in theatre, film and TV. Favourites include: as Fairy Bow- Belle in Dick Whittington opposite Blue Peter legend Peter Duncan; being directed by the great Trevor Griffiths in his own short play, Apricots; playing the Wife of Bath in Nottingham Theatre Royal’s Canterbury Tales; and sharing screen time with Basil Brush for CBBC. Previous writing credits include Diane and Ross: The Awesome Years, which was staged at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the Etcetera Theatre. Andrea is sustained by the belief that she was born ahead of her time.

Ronnie Le Drew Performer Ronnie has been a puppeteer all his working life. He trained at the Little Angel under founder director John Wright who, with his wife Lyndie, saw in him a potential performer and gave him his first job. Over the past thirty five years he has performed in many of the Little Angel's productions and now he enjoys teaching his craft to a new generation of puppeteers. His TV credits include appearances on Muffin the Mule and Sooty and Sweep, as well as work with Roland Rat. He is perhaps best known as Zippy, one of the main characters on Thames TV’s Rainbow. He still voices and performs Zippy today. He has operated puppets for many commercials including the dancing Brains from Thunderbirds for Drench water, a Meercat advert, the Diet Coke dancing girls and the Barclaycard toy advert (showing this Christmas). His film credits include Muppet Treasure Island, Muppet Christmas Carol, Labyrinth and The Little Shop of Horrors. www.ronnieledrew.com

Barry Grantham Dance Consultant Marie Sennyey Assistant Director Catherine Thomas Assistant Designer

Anna Kemp is a lecturer in French literature at Queen Mary University of London. Her first picture book Dogs Don’t Do Ballet was published in 2010. Fantastic Frankie and the Brain-Drain Machine is her first young fiction title, published in 2011.

Sara Ogilvie works as a freelance illustrator, creating images for editorial, design, publishing and advertising. In recent years she has been illustrating picture books for children. She has won numerous awards for her work including a Commonwealth Heads of Government commission to create a co- published lithograph with Edinburgh Printmakers, presented to Nelson Mandela, HRH the Queen and heads of State.

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We at Little Angel will support the marketing of the tour in whatever way possible.

Please contact our Marketing Officer about PS swaps // social media connections: [email protected] // 0207 359 8581 ext 204

For any press enquiries please get in touch with Kaya Stanley-Money, Touring Assistant:

[email protected] // 0207 359 8581 ext 205

We also send out a newsletter a couple of times a month to our extensive mailing list. We will be mentioning where the tour will be heading to and the times/prices of performances.

There is an education pack available. Please contact [email protected] if you haven’t received it. Please feel free to distribute this to your schools and teachers.

Here is a link to our Flickr page where you can find production photos and a montage taking you through how the Dogs Don’t Do Ballet puppets were made. Feel free to use these images on any social media; as you can see there’s a lot of work that goes into a show like this, and we find that lots of people are interested. http://www.flickr.com/photos/littleangeltheatre/sets/72157634883550731/

For any other queries please contact Miranda Pitcher, Tour Producer: [email protected] // 0207 359 8581 ext 204 Or Kaya Stanley-Money, Touring Assistant [email protected] // 0207 359 8581 ext 205

Connect with Little Angel Theatre

@littleAtheatre #DogsDontDoBallet Facebook.com/LittleAngelTheatre YouTube.com/TheLittleATheatre Flickr.com/littleangeltheatre www.littleangeltheatre.com

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