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TALL STORIES AND THE SNOW DRAGON PROVIDE FREE CREATIVE WORKSHOPS FOR LOCAL SCHOOLS
Following last Christmas’ hugely successful run of THE SNAIL AND THE WHALE, Tall Stories are delighted to be returning to the West End’s St James Theatre this Christmas to present their highly acclaimed production of THE SNOW DRAGON.
This year, thanks to support from John Lyon’s Charity, schools in the borough of Westminster that book to see the show, have been offered a free two-day Snow Dragon creative arts workshop. Using the book as a starting point, Tall Stories will send an artist to work alongside the teachers to create a highly imaginative arts workshop based around the themes and images in THE SNOW DRAGON. The finished artworks will form an installation / exhibition in the theatre foyer, so when the children come to watch the show, they can see their artwork in a professional setting. The artist will then return to each school and explore the students’ responses to the show.
Tall Stories are also pleased to confirm a relaxed performance of THE SNOW DRAGON on Thursday 18 December at 12pm. Relaxed performances are especially for families with one or more children with special needs and are designed to provide an opportunity for people with autism, learning difficulties or other communication and sensory needs to watch a performance in a “relaxed” environment.
THE SNOW DRAGON will run from 9 December 2014 to 4 January 2015, with press performances
on 12 and 14 December.
‘If you are a kid, if you have kids, if you ever were a kid, go and see The Snow Dragon.’
(Three Weeks *****)
‘The Snow Dragon is Tall Stories at its finest. Clear, concise storytelling, fun songs you’ll be humming for weeks after, and a tale all children can relate to’ (***** The List)
THE SHOW
THE SNOW DRAGON tells the story of Billy, a spoilt young goat whose parents give him everything he wants. And what he doesn’t get from them, he steals from his friends. On New Year’s Eve, Billy is looking forward to the annual visit of the legendary Snow Dragon, who will bring him even more goodies during the night... But when Billy bumps into some hungry wolves in the forest, New Year’s Day seems a long way off. Find out how Billy escapes – and whether the Snow Dragon will bring him a present. Has Billy been naughty or nice?
THE BOOK
Most seasonal stage shows are based on existing books or fairy stories. THE SNOW DRAGON is based on an original story by Tall Stories co-director Toby Mitchell. Set on New Year’s Eve, with different animals believing in different gift-giving beasts, the writer argues that what matters most is not faith but behaviour. Reversing the usual trend, Tall Stories adapted the show into a picture book, available to buy at the theatre or from www.tallstories.org.uk.
THE COMPANY
Tall Stories is a registered charity founded in 1997 by co-directors Olivia Jacobs and Toby Mitchell. The company has toured extensively around the world in both small and large scale venues, including the National Theatre, West End theatres, on Broadway and at Sydney Opera House.
THE SNOW DRAGON is created in Tall Stories’ unique family-friendly style, using physical theatre, storytelling, comedy and songs to create a magical, mysterious world which will entertain and enchant children and grown-ups from 3 to 103.
Tall Stories will have five productions in London over the Christmas period: THE GRUFFALO’S CHILD at artsdepot, Finchley, EMILY BROWN AND THE THING at Jacksons Lane, Highgate, ROOM ON THE BROOM at the Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, LATKE WHO COULDN’T STOP SCREAMING at JW3 – and of course, THE SNOW DRAGON at St James Theatre. Tall Stories are responsible for bringing many much-loved stories to life on stage for children and families all over the world. THE SNOW DRAGON itself has toured the UK, the USA, Canada, Poland, Singapore and Hong Kong.
THE THEATRE
St James Theatre has an intimate 312-seat auditorium very suited to a family audience, in which every seat has a perfect view of the stage. It is a five-minute walk from Victoria Station.
DATES AND SCHEDULE
9 December 2014 to 4 January 2015
Daytime performances – times vary, please see the website or call the Box Office for details.
ST JAMES THEATRE, 12 Palace Street, London SW1E 5JA
Box office: 0844 264 2140 / boxoffice@stjamestheatre.co.uk
Age group: 3+
Running time: 50 minutes, no interval
Tickets: £16 (adults and children), £18 (premium), £55 family ticket (4 tickets)
School bookings available from £7.50 per ticket.
All press inquiries: Georgia Edmonds, georgiaedmonds@mac.com or 07956 663199
THE TEAM
THE SNOW DRAGON will feature William Croft as Billy, with Alastair Chisholm and Louise Mai Newberry playing Billy’s parents, friends – and wolves...
THE SNOW DRAGON is directed by Toby Mitchell with Olivia Jacobs as creative producer. Music is by Shock Productions, design by Polly Sullivan, puppetry design by Yvonne Stone and lighting design by Will Evans.
William Croft – Billy
Will trained at ALRA and theatre credits include the Young Shakespeare Company, Company of Angels and Paines Plough. He has appeared in the films ‘Don’t Call Back’ and ‘Sirens’ (Channel 4).
Alistair Chisholm – Dad/Spike/Wolf
Alistair has worked extensively with Tall Stories and has performed in ‘The Snow Dragon’ in the UK and countries such as Hong Kong and Poland. He has also played Toad in ‘Wind in the Willows’ and Dr Watson in ‘The Hound of the Baskervilles’.
Louise Mai Newberry – Mum/Rosie/Wolf
Louise has worked with the The Royal Shakespeare Company, Orange Tree Theatre, Bristol Old Vic, the Birmingham Rep and Leicester Haymarket. Television work includes ‘The Bill’ and ‘Doctors’, and Louise writes and performs as comedy character ‘Precious Jade’.
Toby Mitchell – Director
Toby studied at Cambridge and trained at Central. Directing credits for Tall Stories include: ‘The Snail and the Whale’ (UK, Poland, Dubai, Asia) ‘The Snow Dragon’ (UK, USA, Poland, Asia), ‘Twinkle Twonkle’ (UK, USA), ‘Does a Monster live Next Door?’ (UK), ‘The Owl and the Pussycat’ (UK) and ‘Alice and Mr Dodgson’ (UK). Other directing/devising work includes: ‘Monsters Got Talent’, ‘A British Guide to French Pop’ and ‘The Island of First Loves’. He is co- founder of Tall Stories.
Olivia Jacobs – Creative producer
Olivia trained at Central / University of London. Directing credits include: ‘The Gruffalo’ (UK, USA, Australia, Asia, Europe, DVD), ‘The Gruffalo’s Child’ (UK, Australia, Asia), ‘Room on the Broom’ (UK, USA, Australia, Asia), ‘How the Giraffe got its Neck’ (UK, Asia), ‘William’s Monsters’ (UK, Poland, Asia), ‘Something Else’ (UK, Poland), ‘Them with Tails’ (UK, Poland), ‘Mum and the Monster’ (UK), ‘Snow White’ (UK, USA) and ‘Latke who Couldn't Stop Screaming’ (UK). She is co-founder of Tall Stories.