In
the summer of 2005, Green Candle created Listening Eyes
, a ground-breaking production for deaf and hearing
children aged 4+. Creating a link between contemporary dance for
children and Deaf theatre, Listening Eyes
integrates vibrant dance theatre with British Sign Language (BSL)
and original live music. With a cast of deaf and hearing performers,
the performance and workshop programme opens the doors to Deaf culture
and sign language, providing an inspirational experience for both
deaf and hearing family and schools audiences.
Hari is 6 and deaf
an ordinary boy, living an ordinary life, he gets up,
goes to school,
plays with his deaf and hearing friends.
BUT
Hari has an EXTRAordinary imagination,
which turns the world as he experiences
it through
his
listening eyes
into a place of surprising and magical happenings!
Listening
Eyes is the company's 16th full length production
for children and young people, and uses the company's trademark
blend of dance, song, live, specifically composed music, narrative,
and in this case sign language to tell an original story.
Directed
by Fergus Early and Rachel Elliott
Choreographed by Fergus Early and Mark Smith
Music by Will Embliss
Design by Kate Owen
Deaf Theatre ConsultantPaula Garfield & Daryl Jackson
The production and workshop
programme undertook an extensive six week tour in the summer of
2005 to venues and school in Greater London supported by the Arts
Council England, the Foyle foundation, National Deaf Children's
Society and the Association of London Government.
* Please note: we are
using the term ‘deaf’ to encompass the full range of
hearing loss and communication methods
“For
the entire hour's duration of the show, the children in the audience
at the Watermans Arts Theatre, Brentford, were enthralled. I too
was captivated by this fascinating production, which uses sign language,
speech, written words, live music and dance to guide us through
Hari's school day.”
Dancing
Times Magazine
“The
project met and exceeded our expectations. We really enjoyed the
use of BSL/English/dance/song etc and how it was used in a workshop
along with extracts of the performance. The performers were really
friendly and included all participants really well. We feel that
this performance should be touredaround schools, youth groups and
DCs's nationwide.”
National
Deaf Children's Society Officer
"In
30 years of teaching it was the best
performance I have had the pleasure to watch. The staff and
children were totally enthralled, and our two 3 year old deaf children
were fascinated and delighted throughout. It was a truly professional,
stimulating and inspiring performance.”
Teacher
of the Deaf
“The
company seemed to enjoy working together as an ensemble and this
cohesiveness and playfulness enhanced the performance… The workshop
was delivered with enthusiasm and an obvious warmth towards and
liking of children."
Children's
Team Leader, Derby Dance Centre
The
production has a running time of 50 minutes this
is accompanied by a 1-hour workshop . Ideally workshops
take place prior to the performance to allow both hearing and deaf
children to fully understand and enjoy the story and participate
in the ABC Rhyme during the show (which uses the BSL fingerspelling
alphabet and basic signs).
Click here for Tour schedule
For
enquiries please contact Misha on 020 7739 7722
or
e-mail: misha@greencandledance.com
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The
National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS) Listening Bus® will
be travelling to some venues
at no extra cost, as part of
the Listening Eyes tour.
The
NDCS Listening Bus is a unique mobile exhibition which has traveled
the length and breadth of the UK , delivering the NDCS's unique
technology service to the doorstep of the nation's deaf children,
deaf adults, families, friends and professionals. To celebrate its
10 th birthday the bus will join up with Listening Eyes
to give the audience a unique experience.
For
details on the Listening Bus, space requirements etc visit www.ndcs.org.uk
or you can contact Louise
Cox on Tel: 0808 800 8880 (voice and text) Fax:
020 7251 5020 Email: louise.cox@ndcs.org.uk
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Listening Eyes is supported
by BBC Children in Need as well as
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