

An exciting and moving, interactive puppet show with live music & hands-on craft making activity for all ages. Fully accessible, covid-safe, a great family outing!
In May Half-Term 2021, families joined Thingumajig Theatre and People Express at Rosliston Forestry Centre for a brand new puppet show- 'The Magic Lantern'. The interactive show tells the story of Silas, a Cygnet who was worried to leave the nest. In search of the beautiful Silver Lake, where Silas can reunite with his friends and family, families were invited to join a hands-on making activity to design lanterns to help light Silas path through the deep dark wood.
The magical adventure was designed to help families explore challenging times we face as we all carefully move towards connecting with people and places outside the safety of our homes once again.
'The Magic Lantern' was developed with the support of SHOUT, a group for families with disabled children, to help advise on making it a magical and accessible experience for all.
Through a week long run, each performance showed to a small audience of 6 family bubbles at a time, allowing families to enjoy a friendly, fun and relaxed experience together
“A brilliant show”.
“My children commented that it was nice to spend time with family and found it calming and I found the performance very moving”.
“Magical, friendly, epic experience is how my children described it. Really beautiful- thank you!”
“The whole experience was amazing. Beautiful theatre and so friendly and welcoming. The kids loved it, thank you”.



THE PURPOSE:
The aim of the show was to take the anxieties and fears that we have been told young people, particularly SEN children are experiencing due to the pandemic and make a show that explores these themes. We also wanted to create a relaxed, family friendly experience that will welcome families to join together in a covid-friendly audience experience.

ARTISTS:
Thingumajig Theatre is a visual theatre company based in West Yorkshire, England which specialises in creating and performing innovative puppet plays and interactive giant puppets.

SUPPORTED BY:
This project is financially supported by the National Lottery Community Fund (HM Government- The Coronavirus Community Support Fund) and Derbyshire County Council Youth Action Grant. Special thanks to SHOUT for supporting the development of the project and providing a donation of refreshments for audience members.



