“Long Ago and Far Away”…
We are all familiar with this classic opening line to countless magical tales and enchanting yarns.
This year, ACE! Festival 2014, adopts “Long Ago and Far Away” as its theme and weaves its own magic with a season of world-class local and international programmes designed to bring the performing arts to children, between two and 18 years old, and their families.
To be held from 21 May to 8 June 2014 at the Drama Centre Theatre and Black Box at the National Library Building, this year marks the festival’s 5th anniversary. To celebrate, five children’s theatre productions, both local and international, will be staged at the Drama Centre Theatre and Black Box Theatre.
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Five Children’s Theatre Productions
I Theatre will kick off the festival with Spot the Difference (21 to 31 May), a tale of three friends that learn about diversity, acceptance, tolerance and racial harmony, and Puss in Boots (22 to 31 May), the classic French story of an intrepid cat who helps its master rise to greatness.
Following this is Under the Dragon Moon from Creative Edge (30 May to 1 Jun). First performed in 2007 in Singapore and the UK, Under the Dragon Moon brings together a collection of Asian folk tales playfully presented with energetic physical theatre, masks and puppets.
Two productions from the UK will also feature as part of ACE! 2014.
Starbird by Toto Tales (3 to 8 Jun), is inspired by Booker prize-winning author Ben Okri. The Starbird is a beautiful bird with sparkling wings that can touch the sky. When a wicked hunter appears in Starbird’s forest, she has to act to save her family. This production uses music, dance, costumes and puppetry to sensitively tackle the themes of oppression and injustice.
Dotty the Dragon by Blunderbus Theatre Company, UK (3 to 8 Jun), is an enchanting fairytale about a Dotty, a baby fire dragon. One day, she decides to pay the village at the bottom of her mountain a visit, giving everyone below a surprise.
Workshops
Audiences can also take part in ticketed workshops being held as part of ACE! Festival 2014. School children can look forward to storytelling workshops by Sheila Wee, ACT 3 Theatrics and Artistic Expressions. International storyteller, Mara Menzies, will also be conducting a workshop on Craft through Drama and theatre audiences can participate in fun crafts by JayJayJolly after each performance at the Drama Centre.
Free Fringe Activities
Storybook Theatre will be conducting free workshops to promote reading and books as a platform to bring stories to life while I Theatre will provide an introduction to theatre making.
ACE! Festival 2014 will be held at the National Library Building between 21 May to 8 June 2014 with tickets on sale at between $30 and $32 (excluding SISTIC fees). Family packages are also available and discounts on theatre performances are also available with various cards.
Visit the ACE! Festival 2014 website for more details.
Take part in I Theatre’s Puss in Boots Ticket Giveaway and stand to win tickets to watch Puss in Boots with your family now! Hurry, contest ends on 11 May 2014.
Related Articles
>> Behind the Scenes: Conversations with Bang Wenfu (Puss in Boots’ songwriter) – Music from the Heart
>> Behind the Scenes: The Actor-Character Dynamic
>> Puss in Boots & Spot the Difference Activity Sheets
>> Review of Puss in Boots: Of Singing Cats and Operatic Ogres
My Little Day Out Theatre for All Activity Book (Volume 1)
Get a set of of 65 activity sheets spanning 12 productions in celebration of I Theatre’s 15th anniversary at Little Day Out Shop.
With each purchase of this special Activity Book, Little Day Out will be making a contribution towards I Theatre’s Theatre for All programme. Buy them now!