An Introduction to Theatre for Children

Unit 11: Theatre for Children

What is Theatre for Children?

“…I had also enjoyed pantomimes. Now, having grown up a little, I watched the show rather differently. I noticed that the story-line was very thin. The entertainment was really a succession of variety acts. The children in the audience were often restless.

After, the story had rather perfunctorily been disposed of, the start comedian embarked upon his half hour obligatory spot. It was quite enjoyable, if, in my view, out of context. At one point he cracked a slightly blue joke. The children didn’t understand it. A few of the adults did and cackled in the stalls. Whereupon the star walked eagerly down to the footlights, leant over and said: ‘Oh, come on, let’s get the kids out of here and then we can get started!’

It was as though an electric shock had jolted me. I even blushed. How on earth, I thought, can this man, who is being paid a lot of money to entertain these children, blatantly tell us that he would rather be entertaining his late night cabaret audience. Surely those children deserved better. It struck me that there was very little theatre aimed at children...”

(David Wood, 1997)

Alfie Kate

The Ten Commandments

1. Children enjoy being active participants rather than passive spectators

2. Children, more than adults, generate a sense of electricity in the

Theatre

3. Children can become over excited

4. Children willingly enter into the spirit of entertainment

5. Children can be uncompromisingly direct

6. Children let you know when they are bored

7. Children respond to direct audience participation

8. Not all Children respond in the same way

9. Children don’t always choose to come

10.The composition of an audience for a Children’s play is so variable

1.Children enjoy being active participants rather than passive spectators

• Lights before a show

2. Children, more than adults, generate A sense of electricity in the Theatre

• A Theatre trip is special

• Magic Wilting Flower

WHEN?

• Before the curtain goes up

• When the Gingerbread man might be eaten

• When the Ugly Sister’s tear up Cinderella’s ticket

3. Children can become over-excited

• Enjoyment is infectious• Actors must adjust to the audience

4. Children willingly enter into the spiritof entertainment

• Happy to participate• Love taking sides

5. Children can be uncompromisingly direct

• Theatre manners• They can sniff out untruthful acting• ‘Large Wart’

6. Children let you know when they are bored

• Start talking• Walk around the Theatre

7. Children respond to directaudience participation

• They WILL answer a question• ‘HE’S BEHIND YOU!’

8. Not all Children respond in the same way

• First time resistance• Strange intimidating experience

• OR thrilling

9. Children don’t always choose to come

• Decision is not always theirs to attend – Parent/Teacher

• They will not understand Theatrical convention

10. The composition of an audience for aChildren’s play is so variable

• Four types of audience:1. Weekdays for schools2. Weekdays for public3. Weekdays afterschool for public4. Weekend/holidays for public

• Screaming toddlers

• A majority of adults will have an inhibiting effect on Children

Common characteristic’s of a child’s audience

Children respond eagerly to justice

Children like being frightened (within limits) Children are healthy

subversive

Children are logical

Children will respond differently and unpredictably

Children make noise during a performance

Children respond to action

Children DON’T like being patronised

Children DON’T like lovey-dovey stuff

Children LOVE animals and toys

Children LOVE stories

SCRAPES Swearing WILL NOT be tolerated in any session or rehearsal

whatsoever!

C Creativity is essential to the success of this Unit

R Respect for each other and for tutor

A You will display fitting attitude to the environment which you are in

P Professionalism is ESSENTIAL if you want to develop and improve

E ENJOYMENT – for you, me and others