Fri. Dec 6th, 2024

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

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By Penny McCarthy

Penny McCarthy is a seasoned entrepreneur and co-founder of Parents News UK, a pioneering publication launched in 1993 to serve the needs of busy parents in Southwest London. Alongside her husband, Fergus McCarthy, Penny played a crucial role in the rapid expansion of the printed edition, which grew from a local startup to a widely circulated monthly publication with a reach of 192,000 copies across Kent, South London, and beyond. Under Penny’s leadership, Parents News quickly became a trusted resource for families, providing valuable information on education, entertainment, sports, and family-friendly events. Her vision helped the publication extend its influence with franchises in Northern Ireland and Cornwall, catering to a growing demand for accessible, family-oriented content. In 1997, recognising the importance of digital media, Penny spearheaded the launch of Parents News UK Online. The website initially mirrored the content of the printed editions and has since evolved into a comprehensive online resource for parents, achieving significant popularity with up to 700 daily hits. In 2017, the publication transitioned fully to an online platform, continuing to inform and engage families across the UK. Today, Penny remains deeply involved in the ongoing success of Parents News UK, focusing on innovative advertising opportunities and future growth plans. Her dedication to supporting families through accessible and practical content has made Parents News a cherished name in households across the country.

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