I'M NOT SLEEPY
'I'm
Not Sleepy' Children's Theatre
LBH&F Libraries - 15 June until 9 July 2004
Marvellous Productions will be bringing their latest production, "I'm
Not Sleepy", to various Hammersmith & Fulham libraries over the course
of June and July.
These free performances use the book of the same name - by Lauren Child- as
the starting point for a fun and educative piece for theatre aimed at toddlers
and younger children.
Marvellous Productions
- "I'm Not Sleepy" - Children's Theatre
Takes place at range of Hammersmith & Fulham Libraries between 15 June &
9 July 2004.
All performances start at 10:30.
Tuesdays at Hammersmith Library,
Shepherds Bush Road, W6
Wednesdays at Fulham Library,
598 Fulham Road, SW6
Thursdays at Sands End Library,
Broughton Road, SW6
Fridays at Shepherds Bush Library,
Uxbridge Road, W12
Mister Sandman Blues
Marvellous Productions has based their new piece of children's theatre, aimed
at toddlers and younger children, on the book, "I'm Not Sleepy" by Lauren
Child. Roya Hamid and Zoe Bywater devised the piece which offers and excellent
opportunity to educate young children on the importance of sleep. It does this
through educating the young audience on the difference between night and day,
the importance of sleeptime ritual and feeling safe and settled before drifting
off into the world of sleep.
And of course, it's aimed at helping parents. Children who experience problems
sleeping or resistance to sleep are a fairly common cause of parental distress
and fatigue too. The performance and its supporting information not only offer
some useful information on the role of sleep in child development, but give
parents some positive strategies for dealing with children’s' sleep problems.
Of course, anyone who has observed the young audience's response to the play
would know that the production is not some cut and dried lecture. Using song,
music, movement and audience participation, Marvellous productions hardly expects
anyone to fall asleep during the production. The kids are kept captivated and
many of the parents enjoy the opportunity to socialise with others.
Serious Sleep
Marvellous Production's performance brings a positive approach to dealing with
children’s problems sleeping and affirming positive behaviors to help
children sleep.
Many of us rarely think about children and sleep. We just assume they do. Of
course until they don't.
So maybe a good thing to know would be something about normal healthy sleep
and some of the reasons it can be disrupted.
This helpful resource from Loughborough
Sleep Research Centre can give answers to a lot of questions.
If you're interested more generally in how sleep relates to Child Development,
here are two excellent sites that can answer questions on a range of issues.
The All
Kids site gives lots of links to resources on child development from the
UK and around the world.
The BBC's parenting
site is packed full of useful information on child development and parenting
issues.
More practical information on a range of topics and contact details for services
in London is available at this
site...
Learn About Child Development & Parenting
Hammersmith & Fulham Adult Education Service run a range of learning opportunities
and training in childcare and family learning in partnership with other local
agencies. More...
In Brent, there are also numerous courses available in childcare. Try
these...
And in Harrow, here are some of the courses
available...
Sleep, Perchance To Dream...
Sometimes a child's sleeping problems can become a real problem for the parents
too. Coping with a child who is unable to sleep can cause parents to lose sleep
too, not to mention a high level of stress and distress caused by worrying about
the sleepless child.
If youare finding it difficult coping with a child with disturbed sleep
or know someone else who is, the following might prove useful.
CRYSIS - a telephone helpline run by parents open between 09:00 and 22:00.
You can call them on 020 7404 50 11.
Sure Start Local Programmes - This link to the national Sure Start Programmes,
local programme directory can give you the details of programmes services in
your local area. One of the services available in many places is Sleep Clinic
appointments to help parents and their sleepless youngsters.
Always Work With Children and....
If what caught your interest in the article on "I'm Not Sleepy" was
more the theatre angle than the child development angel, don't worry, you haven't
been forgotten.
West London boasts a number of prestigious theatres with specific programmes
of performances and activities for children.
The Lyric Theatre Hammersmith,
for example, has received international recognition as a centre of excellence
in the field of children’s' theatre. This summer, as usual, the theatre
will be hosting a special programme for families and children.
Why not take a look around their site
to see what they have to offer this summer.
Watermans Arts Centre
in Brentford also runs a range of activities and participative arts for children,
including very young children. For more details, check out their
site...
Maybe you like the idea of working in children’s theatre yourself? Although
not specifically a training for working in children’s theatre, there are
certainly a number of courses in west London available for those who would like
to try their hand at a little drama.
There are lots of courses running in west London. Here are just a few....
Courses in Hammersmith & Fulham...
Courses
in Harrow...
Courses
in Brent...
The Play's The Thing
If you think that maybe it's not a course you need, but some practical experience,
you could always consider joining one of the amateur dramatics societies in
west London. Don't be fooled, the old cliche about bad acting and wobbly scenery
couldn't be further from the truth. Joining one of these societies could help
you learn skills in a "hands on" environment that might also prove
sociable and enjoyable.
As the site of the Questors
Theatre in Ealing shows, community and amateur theatre can be run very professionally.
More...
Sound appealing? Why not start by taking a lot at some of these local organisations....
The Limelight:
The site of the Ealing based society that favours all-singing-all-dancing musicals.
Act One Pantomimes:
He's behind you... This troupe based in Hammersmith are always on the lookout
for new members to join their panto productions. More...
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