NEWS
Making Opera for Children
31 Mar 2010
My Mother Told Me Not To Stare
Wednesday 7 April 11am & 2pm
Mercury Studio Theatre
Opera and children are not a usual combination, but Nina Hajiyianni, Director of an exciting new co-production between leading young people's theatre companies Theatre Hullabaloo and Action Transport Theatre, thinks that we may be missing a trick.
'Opera is emotionally expressive in a bold and unapologetic way which children are adept at appreciating and don't often get access to' says Hajiyianni, whose latest project has broken new ground this spring. 'A fantastic story combining traditional fairytale, beautiful music played live on a range of instruments, plus puppetry and projection make this a spectacle for our audience with real emotional resonance'.
The production, which is designed for children aged 8 years and above, was developed from a newly commissioned play by award-winning young Tasmanian playwright, Finegan Kruckemeyer. Fin's use of language and strong narrative lends itself to a composition where music, words and story all occupy equal status. The extraordinary music of Martyn Harry makes no compromises for its young audience and the range of musicality is in turn unique and startling.
The child's 'open-eared-ness' phase
It may be, says Dr Alexandra Lamont, a developmental music psychologist at Keele University, that there is a golden 'window' in a child's development when they are more open to music. 'We have this phase we call 'open-eared-ness' between 5 and 11 years
old, when children are receptive to all sorts of experiences. As they move into adolescence they seem to close off and like only what their small group of friends relates to. So encouraging a sense of musical creativity is crucial in those years,' she says.
Adult perceptions of opera are most likely the main reason that children haven't been introduced to the art form, until now that is, with companies such as Theatre Hullabaloo and Action Transport Theatre leading the way.
'Because of the way it's packaged in this country, opera isn't seen as accessible. But, as an art form it is absolutely something for children' enthuses Creative Producer, Miranda Thain.
Why not come and find out for yourself! …
Tickets from £5.50 are available online www.mercurytheatre.co.uk and from the Box Office on 01206 573948.