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: This play is based on the original book Dogs Don’t Do Ballet © 2010 text by Anna Kemp, illustrations by Sara Ogilvie. First published in the United Kingdom by Simon and Schuster UK Ltd. 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. Page 1 Little Angel Theatre 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 Page 2 Little Angel Theatre 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 Page 4 Little Angel Theatre Box Office Info 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 Page 5 Little Angel Theatre Other images and higher res images are available upon Images request. Please contact: [email protected] All images credited to Little Angel Theatre. Page 6 Little Angel Theatre Logos 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. Page 7 Little Angel Theatre 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.