Children's Theatre Festival Takes Off in Durham

Published: 4 November 2012
Reporter: Peter Lathan

TakeOff Festival

TakeOff Festival, England's leading celebration of theatre for children and young people which is now in its 25th year, brings together producers, programmers, funders, children, families, educators and everyone else with a passion and interest in theatre for young audiences, to the North East to share a varied programme of performances and creative learning opportunities from some of the most exciting artists from the UK and across the world.
TakeOff 2012 takes place from the 10th - 16th November and includes performances in venues across the region and then welcomes professional delegates, children and families to the City of Durham for a three day celebration event from 14th - 16th November.

The festival will provide world-class theatre for thousands of children, young people, their families and friends in the North East as well as being an important place for those working in the field to come together to raise the profile of the work and advocate for its importance in the lives of our youngest audiences.

It is organised by Theatre Hullabaloo, the North East’s specialist producer of theatre for young audiences.

Productions and companies featured in this year’s festival are:

  • The Big Jump by Theatre de la Guimbarde (Belgium), aimed at age 18 months - 4 years (16th November in the Gala Theatre Studio)
  • Blown Away by Birdsnest Theatre, aimed at age 3 – 5 years (16th at Alington House, North Bailey, Durham).
  • Cloud Man by Ailie Cohen (Scotland), aimed at age 4 - 7 years (14th also at Alington House).
  • Cockoon by Theatre o.N. (Germany), aimed at age 2 – 5 years (15th at Joachim Room, St Hild and St Bede College, Durham).
  • Egg by Cahoots NI (Northern Ireland), aimed at age 4 – 78 tears (14th at Gala Theatre, Main House).
  • The Elves and the Shoemakers by Theatre Hullabaloo (England), aimed at age 3 – 7 (15th at Assembly Rooms, North Bailey, Durham)
  • Ets-beest by Katrina Brown (Holland), aimed at age 2 – 4 years (15th at Gala Theatre Studio).
  • Grimm Tales by Theatr Iolo (Wales), aimed at age 6 – 11 years (14th at Assembly Rooms, Durham).
  • Jason and the Argonauts (Visible Fictions (Scotland), aimed at age 9 – 13 years (15th at Gala Theatre Main House).
  • Mise – The Story of a Girl by Branar (Ireland), aimed at age 5 – 9 years (16th at Gala Theatre Main House).
  • Red Riding Hood by Engine House Theatre and Lakeside Arts Centre (England), aimed at 4+ and their families (14th at Gala Theatre Main House).
  • Time for the Good Looking Boy by Box Clever and Half Moon (England), aimed at age 14+ (15th at Assembly Rooms, Durham).
  • Wanted: Rabbit by TG Maxx (Holland), aimed at age 3 – 4 years (16th at Joachim Room, St Hild and St Bede College).

Full details of the Festival can be found on the website.

*Some links, including Amazon, Stageplays.com, ATG Tickets, LOVEtheatre, BTG Tickets, Ticketmaster, The Ticket Factory, LW Theatres and QuayTickets, are affiliate links for which BTG may earn a small fee at no extra cost to the purchaser.

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