IMMERSE YOURSELF IN SPONGE
A spongy new adventure awaits Darlington families as a new commission for early years children sees Big Imaginations pushing the boundaries of creative play with SPONGE coming to Central Hall, Dolphin Centre, Darlington on Thursday 23 February.
The Spark Arts, Big Imaginations and Turned On Its Head continue their wonderful obsession with bringing brilliant children’s theatre to the north east with a brand new commission for 2016! This time it’s an adventure with Sponge.
Sponge embraces all things spongy. Alluding to a child’s ability to soak things up ‘like a sponge’, a lovely piece of cake, or simply the springy, squashy, malleable, texture which fascinates us and children alike. Set to an original score fused with 1970s interludes by composers such as Henry Mancini, the performers will reveal and explore small and large scale sponge environments and props for children to squash, roll, pop and squeeze.
Turned On Its Head artistic director Liz Clark said: ”We want to make theatre that places experiences of the child at the heart of it. For me, making this work was a response to the frustrations of taking my own non-hearing son to theatre performances and him not understanding that he couldn’t get on stage or touch the magical world that was being presented. I wanted to create theatre that was close up, personal, invitational and above all, inclusive. Why shouldn’t a child’s first experience of theatre be about being so close to the performer they can touch them?
We also want to co-create our theatre with our audience. What you’ll find when you come to see our work is that the children become immersed in the theatrical experience on their own terms and our performances give space for engaging and respecting each child’s response. The result is beautifully moving theatre which is about each child’s own journey.”
Sponge comes to Central Hall, Dolphin Centre, Darlington on Thursday 23 February with performances at 11am and 2pm.
Tickets £5, Family Ticket £16 (4 people, minimum 1 adult)
To book contact the Box Office on 01325 486 555