Island’s youth theatrical talent festival bound!

Coming up over the second weekend of half term (20^th, 21^st and 22^nd February) is this year’s Isle of Wight Story Festival, based at the Quay Arts Centre in Newport – and there are lots of things to do and see.. Here are just some of them….

For youngsters and adults aged 12 and over, ‘Brutal’ is a devised performance in collaboration by Pink Cow Theatre and the performing arts students at the Isle of Wight College. It is staged on Thursday 20^th February with the performance itself starting at 8pm, but other elements going on around the building from 6.30pm.  

If walls could talk they would have many stories to tell. ‘Brutal’ focuses on a house and its occupants. It could be any house in any street, and we watch how through time the house crumbles. The house in question goes from a normal family home, to a trap house caught up in gang culture and county lines. We examine why people get attracted to gangs, what the gang offers them and what it means to be in a gang. Directly after the performance, there will be a Q&A session, where you will have the chance to put forward thoughts or ask questions.

The IW College art department have also developed an exhibition of street art. The students have responded to the work of other street artists and explored different techniques, showcasing their work on the walls in the Seminar Room. They have utilised their practical skills, communicated their ideas, investigated and researched and finally developed their own ideas and processes.

Leaving Disney far behind and going back to the original story, Pink Cow presents ‘Pinocchio’ on  Friday 21^st February at 10.00am. This fast paced performance, suitable for children from 3 years old, incorporates song and dance with original music created especially for the production. Pink Cow has remained as true as they can to the original absolutely bonkers story, by the Italian writer Carlo Collodi which he wrote in 1883 as a warning to children to behave.

Pink Cow has chosen to highlight the wonderful attributes of Pinocchio’s kind, caring and trusting nature as he discovers his own way in life. This production is suitable for all ages, and is full of laughter and charm as the poor puppet finds himself jostled from one disaster to another.

Do you know a Jack? You find them all over the place and they keep cropping up in stories. Join Sue-the-storyteller on Friday 21^st February at 11.15am for ‘Jack Tales (and maybe one for Jill too)’, aimed at children aged 4+, for some highly interactive tales about Jacks who chop down beanstalks, build houses, eat no fat or just sit in corners. But why should Jack have all the fun?- let’s make up a tale together for Jill.

On Friday 21^st February at 12.00, join dynamic storyteller Steph Brittain to meet some of the Greco-Roman Gods and Goddess and the Humans that encounter them. We will follow Psyche up mountains and through rivers as she learns about love, fear, trust, and determination. There will be laughs, surprises, suspense and magic all wrapped up in this wonderful myth.

Pickled Image Theatre presents ‘Woodland Tales with Granddad’, a story with puppets for children aged 3+, at 10am on 22^nd February. This is an incredible show with an important environmental message to share.

Something is happening in the woods, voices can be heard, and a strange metallic smell fills the air. Machines are gathering at its edge and a mysterious call is heard across the valley. Laura the ladybird, Jeffrey the spider, Brett the Woodlouse and Willoughby the Woodpecker are worried. Velda the Vixen knows there’s only one person who can help them – Granddad. But is there enough time? Can they save the wood? And will the mysterious stranger help?

Or bring your teddy bears (and parents too!) along to the fun story time and rhymes session, ‘Teddy Bears Picnic’, on Saturday 22^nd February at 10.00.

‘The Olde Curiosity Shop’ at 10.30am on Saturday 22^nd February, is a storytelling event for children aged 5+. Come and marvel at the strange and wonderful treasures found in Mr Ledicott’s Olde Curiosity Shop! You will see a gemstone from a knight’s dagger, a strand of hair that once belonged to a princess, a stone you can see through and an ancient fire iron. The collection may seem odd, but each piece has a story to tell. Discover what they are in this interactive storytelling session.

On Saturday 22^nd February at 2.45pm, Wonderfell Theatre Company presents a hand-son Shakespearience! ‘Tempest Tales and Treasure’, inspired by Shakespeare’s play: The Tempest, is a multi-sensory workshop which will immerse children onto a different island, far from our beloved biosphere island. Come and explore the play’s characters in the ‘gallery in a gallery’ and have a rummage through the ‘Wonderfell Box of Trinkets and Treasures’! Expect curious sounds and smells, dressing up and a catwalk to boot!

Full details of these and other events, with booking links are available at Home | Isle of Wight Story – so pop in for some storytelling and theatre fun over half term.