Lollipops Children’s Festival is now in its third year and this year there is yet again another fantastic feast of theatre, workshops, exhibitions, cinema and mid-term art sessions for children, their schools and their families.
From Tuesday October 21 to Friday October 24 the festival has some great treats in store during school hours as each day during the week the arts centre welcomes theatre companies from Ireland and abroad. On Tuesday October 21 Branar Educational Theatre Company presents the beautiful story of Aistear Ailbí, who believes that she is all alone after a storm until a flower begins to grow. She believes that this means beauty has come back to her land. When the flower disappears Ailbí sets off on an adventure to bring beauty back. On her quest she meets different and strange characters. Branar tells this magical story with original music, unusual instruments, magical masks and wonderful puppets. Aimed at ages six to 10, this is a bi-lingual production which allows children the unique opportunity to hear Irish spoken outside of the classroom.
Wednesday October 22 sees Tall Stories, the company who brought us The Grufallo, present their brand new production How The Giraffe Got its neck. Have you ever wondered how the giraffe got its long neck, how the leopard got its spots or how the elephant got its trunk? An inventive storyteller and a genius scientist bring us their fantastic and almost entirely contradictory versions of how certain amazing animals came to be. Stories, silliness, and a very confused giraffe combine in this ridiculous new show is for everyone aged five and over.
Scottish puppet theatre company Shona Reppe bring their new adaptation of Cinderella to Roscommon on Thursday October 23. Cinderella is having another bad hair day, the classic fairytale is beautifully re-imagined by renowned Scottish theatre company Shona Reppe Puppets in this highly visual award-winning production with secret hatches, hidden drawers and a handbag full of magic!
Finishing off this wonderful week on Friday October 24 is Monkeyshine Theatre Company’s The Grandmother. This is a warm and funny story about an unhappy old lady who lives in a lighthouse on a small and far away island. One wet and windy Wednesday a small boat arrives, bringing George, the grandson she never knew she had. Slowly but surely George’s mischievous nature and happy spirit begins to melt his grumpy grandmother’s long-frozen heart. This warm and wonderful tale is for all ages from three up. A limited number of free workshops are available to attending schools both before and after the performances. Early booking is advised as some performances are already booked up. Call the arts centre box office for further information (090 ) 6625824.
