The Steadfast Tin SoldierA puppet play for ages 3 & upwards

Autumn 201 7 tour: Marketing Pack

COPYShort Description

There once was a remarkable tin soldier whofell in love with a beautiful paper dancer andthen tumbled out of a window so beginning aperilous journey into the unknown…

Long Description

There once was a remarkable tin soldier whofell in love with a beautiful paper dancer andthen tumbled out of a window so beginning aperilous journey into the unknown…

This playful retelling of Hans ChristianAndersen’s poetic story uses light, projectedanimations and simple materials that areskilfully transformed through puppetry tocreate a theatrical experience that will engageand touch young hearts and minds.

Quotes

"Best Children'sShow"

Time Out

CreditsPresented by Norwich Puppet TheatreDevised by Banyan Theatre CompanyDesigned and Directed by Joy HaynesPerformed by Paul Preston MillsMusic by Jonathan LambertProjections by Graeme HawkinsLighting by Tim Tracey

Details

-Running Time 50 minutes-No interval-Recommended for children aged 3 yearsand over-Performed by 1 puppeteer

What type of puppets are used?

The story is told using objects, paper cut-outs and different types of puppets;combined with traditional storytelling,music, animation, shadow-play and strongcharacter acting.

Is the show suitable for children

under 3 years?

The show is designed for children over 3years and their families. We recommendchildren over 3 years as younger childrenmay loose interest during a performanceof this length.[Note: Age range is at the discretion ofthe venue and designated baby friendlyperformances can be offered]

What is the show about?

The show is based on the poetic story byHans Christian Andersen, which tells thetale of a tin soldier who falls in love with abeautiful paper dancer.A jealous Jack-in-the-box aims to thwartthe soldier's affections and the soldierfalls from a windowsill to embark upon aremarkable journey.

Box Office FAQs

ABOUTNorwich Puppet Theatre

One of only a handful of dedicated puppettheatres in England, Norwich PuppetTheatre is a hub for leading internationalpuppeteers and theatre makers. Foundedin 1980 by Ray and Joan DaSilva, theTheatre has been sharing and celebratingthe joys of puppetry for over 35 years.

Using traditional and contemporary puppetcraft Norwich Puppet Theatre productionsbring a fresh twist to well-loved fairytalesand stories which entrance children andadults alike.

Previous touring productions include 'TheTinderbox', ‘Pied Piper’, ‘Red RidingHood’, 'The Frog & The Princess' incollaboration with Rene Baker,‘Rumpelstiltskin’ in collaboration withRipstop Theatre, ‘Oddly’ based on thechildren’s book written by Joyce Dunbarand ‘Three Colours’ for early yearsaudiences in collaboration with PolkaTheatre.

Banyan Theatre Company

Banyan Theatre was established in 1993 byJoy Haynes and Karen Torley. The companynow operates from Norwich, England andDerry, Northern Ireland specialising in thecreation of inventive puppet and visual theatrefor children, their families and carers.

Productions tour to schools, theatres andfestivals nationally and internationally.

Hans Christian AndersenHans Christian Andersen wrote his first tales at a time when other children’s stories were not

about excitement and enjoyment - they were humourless and devised to educate.

Andersen’s influence on children’s books is paramount. Through his characters, Andersengave a compelling voice to groups that had traditionally been silent and oppressed. In eachof his stories, he establishes a genuine storytelling voice, truthful and straightforward, but

never banal.

"The soul which God in his image created,Is incorruptible, can not be lost.

Our life on earth is the seed of eternity,Our body dies, but the soul can not die!"

(Hans Christian Andersen's grave inscription)

ABOUTI have always loved the romantic story of a resilient one legged toy soldier and his extraordinaryadventures out in the world after falling out of a window in the rain. This special Tin Soldier isgiven as a birthday present to a young boy who makes him the captain because he is different.For a children’s story there is so much emotional drama as Hans Christian Andersen tells howthe dutiful soldier falls headlong in love with a beautiful paper dancer and how their love isthwarted by the nasty, manipulative and jealous Jack-in-the-box. By luck or fate; and manywonderful narrative twists and turns, the Tin Soldier arrives back (at the very same house heleft behind) inside a fish to be eaten for that night’s supper. The end is bewildering and tragicas the boy reunited with his beloved lost toy then throws him into the fire ‘for no reason’! Thegenius of Hans Christian Andersen’s story telling is that he does not offer any explanation forthis but leaves us wondering. The soldier melts staring steadfastly at the beautiful paperdancer who is magically lifted by a gust of wind and floats into the fire beside him. Theytransform together in the flames into a little tin heart and a tiny piece of sparkle.

This production has been through many changes in the 25 years since we adapted it forpuppet theatre. Banyan Theatre Company’s original interpretation focused on use andtransformation of everyday objects and toys to bring characters and situations to life. Asperformers Karen Torley and I played with the essential elements of the young boy’s bedroom;desk and chair, toy boxes, waste-paper basket, books and scissors as traditional pieces of set,but also turned them into streets, rivers, boats and underwater worlds to depict the soldier’sjourney outside.

I developed a one person version of the production in 2007 which focused on the element ofpaper as I felt it malleable and capable of holding meaning while translating the essentialqualities of the story. I wanted to focus on the dream or fantasy world of the soldier and hislove for the paper dancer and her world. She is described as ‘beautiful’ but is actually verysimple and ordinary, being cut only from a single sheet of paper on stage by the performer. Forme the action of creating something quickly and spontaneously; imbuing it with meaning andgiving the paper-cut narrative substance, enabled the spirit of the dancer to inhabit the wholeof the story and constantly occupy the soldiers thoughts on his journey - the bureaucratic rathe escapes in the sewer is folded from a page of a maths exercise book, the winding river istorn from tracing paper and the fish who swallows the soldier is an old wastepaper basket.

In 2014 when I was director of Norwich Puppet Theatre the production was revived, this timedeveloping the concept of paper-cuts by extending it into animated sequences which alteredthe scale of the production and the relationship of the visual images to the solo performer. Iwent back to Hans Christian Andersen’s own original paper cuts for inspiration. Weintroduced text into the animations and extended the canvas to encompass underground,riverside and underwater animated cutout scenes which appear as a result of the on-stagepaper play, adding colour and vibrancy.

I am excited by the chance to dive into this wonderful story again this year for Norwich PuppetTheatre. There is a rich history to draw upon, which has followed my development as a theatremaker for children. I’d like to take the playfulness and invention of earlier versions and fuse itwith the simplicity and thoughtfulness achieved through the years of consideration,involvement and fascination with this elegant and poetic, but powerful story.

Joy Haynes Director's Notes

ABOUTThe TeamJoy Haynes, director

Joy was director of Norwich Puppet Theatre from 2011-2016, but her relationship with theTheatre goes back over 20 years when she first joined as a puppeteer. Joy is a foundingmember of Banyan Theatre Company for whom she has designed, created and performedwork for over 20 years specialising in shows for families.

Paul Preston-Mills, performer

Paul has been performing professionally for nearly 20 years. Paul spent many years workingas a classical actor with Mad Dogs and Englishmen and as an actor with Spin-Off Theatre healso works as a street performer with Stuff & Things company as one half of the comichuman puppetry act 'The Thinker'.This is Paul's 2nd Norwich Puppet Theatre show, he previously appeared in 'The Tinderbox'.

Graeme Hawkins, animator

Graeme is an animator based in Glasgow, Scotland. His work includes feature films (DigitalArtist on Sylvain Chomet’s Oscar nominated The Illusionist) in addition to animation forchildren’s theatre and dance productions. Graeme provided animation for the NorwichPuppet Theatre and Polka Theatre co-production 'Three Colours'. He is always seeking newand exciting projects and exploring multiple avenues of animated experimentation.

Jonathan Lambert, sound design

Jonathan is a composer and musician, writing mostly for theatre, short films and animations.As well as playing guitar and keyboard he specialises in flute, clarinet and saxophone.Jonathan has composed music for a large number of children's theatre shows, including atleast six Norwich Puppet Theatre projects. Jonathan writes, records and produces in aproject studio with a fine view onto his garden!

Tim Tracey, lighting design

Tim has been the technical manager and lighting designer for numerous Norwich PuppetTheatre productions. Tim has also been technical manager for many leading organisationssuch as Sea Change Arts Festival, Norfolk & Norwich Festival and Holt Festival. In addition tohis lighting expertise Tim is also a puppeteer/actor and is co-director of Tin House Theatre, acommunity and participatory arts organisation.

PRESS RELEASEDraft Press Release

A unique retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairytale ‘The Steadfast Tin Soldier’, createdby Joy Haynes of Banyan Theatre England and presented by Norwich Puppet Theatre, is setto entertain audiences at [VENUE NAME] on [DATE].

New life is breathed into Andersen’s romantic tale of adventure and love; with a combinationof paper-cuts and puppets, projected animations, music, shadow play and the use andtransformation of everyday objects and toys to create the characters and situations.The show’s inventive design combines with great storytelling and character acting to portraythe tale of a resilient one legged toy soldier and his extraordinary adventures out in the worldafter falling out of a window in the rain. This special Tin Soldier is given as a birthday presentto a young boy who makes him the captain because he is different. Show director JoyHaynes explains how “for a children’s story there is so much emotional drama as HansChristian Andersen tells how the dutiful soldier falls headlong in love with a beautiful paperdancer and how their love is thwarted by the nasty, manipulative and jealous Jack-in-the-box”.

Joy Haynes originally devised and created the show alongside Karen Torley for theircompany Banyan Theatre and she later developed a one person version of the production in2007. Joy redeveloped the show in 2014 whilst director at Norwich Puppet Theatre.

One of only a few dedicated puppetry organisations in England, Norwich Puppet Theatrebrought together leading arts practitioners to revive the show (alongside director and devisorJoy Haynes) including animator Graeme Hawkins and sound designer Jonathan Lambert.

‘The Steadfast Tin Soldier’ is guaranteed to captivate children and families on [DATE] at[VENUE NAME]. This playful retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s poetic story creates atheatrical experience that will engage and touch young hearts and minds.

[Venue, performance date, booking details]

IMAGESAll images credit Norwich Puppet Theatre

To download a full selection of images please visit the touring page of our websitewww.puppettheatre.co.ukFor more images or specific requests contact Norwich Puppet Theatre Touring TeamT: 01603 615 564 E: touring@puppettheatre.co.uk

A selection of performance stills

CONTACTSNorwich Puppet Theatre Team

Gemma Khawaja - Touring Team

touring@puppettheatre.co.uk / 01603 615 564

Ian Woods - General Manager

ianwoods@puppettheatre.co.uk / 01603 615 564

Zara Goodfellow - Workshop Co-ordinator

workshops@puppettheatre.co.uk / 01603 615 564

Darren Taylor - Venue Manager

darrentaylor@puppettheatre.co.uk / 01603 615 564

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