• Black-out: The hall/room must be completely dark. All windows must be blacked-out using cardboard, black sugar paper or thick curtains

• Height: Minimum ceiling height of 242cm (8')

• Area: The room needs to be cleared. Minimum performing area is 4.5m wide by 2.5m deep. There should be a further 2.5m between performing area and audience. (Total depth: 5m) Ample floor space needed to erect 2 lighting stands, 1 near each end of the front row. I tend not to use a stage in schools.

• Equipment: I use my own sound system & lighting. Where available, dimmable house lighting is helpful (fade to black before show). Non-dimmable lights should be left off.

• Power: 2 x 13A power points

• Get in: 2 hours (minimum).

• Get out: 1 hour 15 mins

• Access: There is a great deal of heavy equipment involved so I need to get the van as close as possible. Direct access preferred via fire exit/stage door

• Audience Size: Recommended max: 120. Absolute max: 150.

• Introduction: I require a member of staff to introduce the show. I need to speak to this person before the audience comes in. Please obtain my clearance before opening house.

• Multiple Performances for Schools: An audience of over 120 is usually best split into two groups. Extra performances offer great value at my special schools prices and it’s quite normal for me to do 2, 3 or 4 shows in a day. There is no minimum audience size.
  

• Age-suitability: My shows are designed to have as wide an age-appeal as possible. Billed as suitable for ages 4-11, there is guaranteed to be something for everyone - even grown-ups! But please remember - the show is in the DARK! Nurseries should prepare the children for this in advance and may even prefer to book the show for term 2 or 3 when the children are more settled and better prepared to cope with the experience of a theatre show.
  

• School Curriculum: Please see the workshops page to find out how puppetry can meet the criteria for expressive arts, drama, creative writing, technology and enterprise! Children will get more out of a workshop when they have had an opportunity to see one of my shows first. In some cases I can give a discount where a workshop and show are booked as a package. click here for details

• If you need further advice please call me on 0845 458 9779 or 07740 980481.

“Workshop was excellent and encouraged enterprise.”

St Peter's Primary School, Hamilton

“Our P4-7 class had a superb mini-theme after your visit, where they used ideas you gave us to create their own puppets and puppet show.”

Dunbog Primary School, Fife