What many parents discover is that tweenies and teenagers are more likely to take on board the contents of a text or iMessage than they are any note left on the kitchen table or attempt at conversation when otherwise electronically engaged.
Embracing this phenomenon, theatre company Shakespeare 4 Kidz has developed a free downloadable programme, phone and tablet app to complement its touring production of Shakespeare’s The Tempest for young people.
Based on the contents of a theatre programme, designers Vi+Amin London have addressed the expectations of their target users and included lots of photographs, a show trailer and video clips, together with a general synopsis, a breakdown by scene, and cast information.
For an audience sector that traditionally does not buy theatre programmes, getting this information through a mobile device and at no charge is certainly bound to have appeal.
To download visit the Shakespeare 4 Kidz web site.
S4K’s The Tempest, written by Julian Chenery and Matt Gimblett with musical direction by Mike Webborn, started touring earlier this month and is currently in the Arabian Gulf. The production returns to the UK in February and tours nationally as follows:
- Wyvern Theatre Swindon – Wednesday 20 February
- The Playhouse Theatre Weston-super-Mare – Thursday 21 – Friday 22 February
- The Castle Theatre Wellingborough – Monday 25 February 13
- Palace Theatre Mansfield – Tuesday 26 February
- Regent Theatre Ipswich – Wednesday 27 February
- Dorking Halls Dorking – Thursday 28 February
- Civic Hall Ellesmere Port – Monday 4 – Tuesday 5 March
- Coronation Hall Ulverston – Wednesday 6 March
- Sands Centre Carlisle – Thursday 7 March
- St George's Hall Bradford – Friday 8 March
- Woodville Halls Theatre Gravesend – Monday 11 March
- Pavilion Theatre Worthing – Tuesday 12 March
- Barnstaple – Wednesday 13 March
- City Hall Salisbury – Thursday 14 March
- Middlesbrough Theatre Middlesbrough – Monday 18 - Thursday 21 March