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Be Not Afeard: A Sensory Telling of Shakespeare's 'The Tempest'
by Collar and Cuffs Cochildren-and-family, site-specific-and-immersive
Multi-sensory, musical, inclusive and semi-immersive theatre experience for 0-7s and children/young people with special needs.
about the production
Suitable for indoor or outdoor performances, the production is semi-immersive and provides a range of sensory experiences that children and their grown-ups can interact with to help co-create the story. Each experience will offer a safe and supported challenge to gently encourage audiences to explore unfamiliar and unexpected textures, smells, tastes, sounds and movements and to feel Not Afeard. A musical, sensory, signed and Relaxed version of 'The Tempest'.
about the artist
Multi award-winning, Collar & Cuffs Co were established in 2016, and principally develop work for early years children and those with complex needs. The company works in a multi-sensory way, and much of their work centres on exploring aspects of children's brain development, emotional well-being and mental health. Using low cost/no cost and recycled materials wherever possible, the company models ways to use sensory approaches to storytelling that are affordable, inspirational, and inclusive. The company has performed all over the UK in schools, nurseries, festivals, theatres, historic properties and gardens, shopping centres..and even in someone's living room!
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stage dimensions
width: 5 metres
height: 2 metres
depth: 5 metres
Production is self-sufficient with minimal technical requirements other than provision of a suitable space where the audience can be seated on the floor in the round. No wet paint is used - everything is sealed inside screens - however space and facilities to be able to wash and clean these is required.
Children aged 0 - 7 years, their parents/carers and the professionals that work with them; our youngest audience member to date was just 3 weeks old, and our eldest was 97! Fully inclusive for children or young people with a wide range of special needs, including PMLD; we are able to offer inclusive performances, or exclusive ones specifically for ASD, PMLD, visual impairment, complex mental health needs, and even dementia.
We had a brilliant time and especially enjoyed the signing which our children with language needs responded very well to. All the children were clearly very engaged and even the ones who weren’t quite sure eventually got stuck in, which says a lot. At the end none us were afeard!
Two warm and funny ladies with beautiful voices unravelling layer after layer of sensory scenes to the delight of all the adults and children.
This is a beautiful piece of children's theatre with harmonious & evocative singing, tactile fabrics and clever characters, all of which combine to engage little people in a delightful story, complete with signing. More than merely entertaining, this exceptional, amazing (rightly) award-winning show has been on the road for two years and has brought both delight and hugely valuable lessons...It was remarkable to see how the young people instantly recognised the characters' feelings beneath their behaviour and realised how ineffective panicking is - all revealed through the delightfully acted story.
Fully accessible - Makaton signed, and all elements specifically designed to widen access to audiences with complex needs including emotional, social and behavioural difficulties. All performances are Relaxed by default, and we will perform for groups as small as 1 child with 1 supporting adult if required to be able to meet an individual's access and regulation needs.
Sensory play is integrated throughout the production, including role-modelling to parents/carers strategies for supporting their children through unexpected or unfamiliar experiences. The show is designed to support children's resilience and ability to feel okay with being confidently curious about their world, and to be supported and regulated by their grown-ups when they feel unsure.
We prefer a guarantee wherever possible with prices starting from £550 for a day, which will include two general access performances plus an option for an exclusive limited ticket performance for specific learning disabilities e.g. ASD or PMLD. Additional costs may be incurred for travel and/or accommodation.
