Located five minutes from Kingston town centre, The Rose Theatre has a whole programme of events this summer for families. The Rose is home to a number of popular children’s groups, has regular kid’s shows and will even be screening the Olympics.
Steve Tiplady, the genius behind Jabberwocky, brings his incredible one man show Pinocchio to the Rose Theatre Kingston from Thursday 2 – Sunday 5 August. Using the tools of a carpenter’s workshop, Steve Tiplady tells the tale of the puppet that wants to be a real boy, and the puppet-maker who wants to be a real father.
Pinocchio uses marionettes, shadow puppets, illusion and especially composed music to turn a humble workshop into a show for all ages. Inventive and witty, each performance is partly improvised, making every show unique to its audience.
Steve Tiplady was artistic director at the Little Angel Theatre where he directed ten shows including Jabberwocky and The Mouse Queen which had a run at the New Victories Theatre on Broadway.
Pinocchio won’t be the only thing on at the Rose this August . The Big Screen sees live coverage of the London 2012 Games on a 32 square meter screen in the auditorium between 27 July – 5 August . Whilst Pinocchio is on stage , the transmission will move to an 80 inch plasma screen in the Culture Café. The Culture Café screen will be on from July 27 right through the Olympic and Paralympic games to the Paralympic closing ceremony on 9 September.
The Rose Theatre’s Culture Café is home to weekly baby groups on Tuesdays and Thursdays and every Monday hosts Rhyme Time, a free morning of rhyming, singing and laughter, for children and parents alike.
Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler are fast becoming a regular fixture at the Rose as their brilliant Room on the Broom returns this year from Nov 7 – Sun 11.
Rose Theatre Kingston’s Christmas play is another regular event in Kingston’s calendar and this year’s production looks likely to be something for everyone. Charles Way’s beautiful adaptation is the classic family favourite, the most magical fairy tale of them all; Cinderella The Midnight Princess will be a magical treat for the whole family.
More information about all these productions can be found at www.rosetheatrekingston.org or over the phone on 08444 821 556