Coram Beanstalk attends touring theatre production of 'The Storm and the Minotaur' for Leeds schools

Sometimes Coram Beanstalk receives wonderful invitations out of the blue and we are able to treat some of our reading helpers to very special events.

That's what happened last month when we were invited to a preview performance of 'The Storm and the Minotaur' for young audiences and schools. The theatre company, Slung Low, have adapted the play from the book, by the same name, by one of our author supporters, Lucy Strange and are currently touring schools across south Leeds for free. 

Reading helpers Bernard and Helen were keen to see the show for themselves and had this to say:

From the moment the performance started we were encouraged to travel with the actors down to the depths of the dark coal mine and experience what life was like for the children working alongside their relatives from as young as two. Lively singing of traditional folk songs - we were encouraged to join in - and plenty of other audience engagement meant we were always involved in the story. From the highs of sharing the main character's love of stories, to the lows of being lost underground during a frightening storm, to the laughs at the youngest child's snoring, this was storytelling at its best for me. Definitely made me want to read the book in full!

One of the other audience members had created a puppet to use and this was so lifelike, thanks to the talents of the actors who took it in turns to bring her to life. I couldn't take my eyes off her!

Helen Kitchen

The play was brilliant with four cast members and a life-size puppet. The way the puppet was operated made it seem lifelike.

From the start the audience were involved travelling with actors down into the depths of a coalmine, experiencing what it was like to work down there and reminding us that children were working down there to get extra money for their families. 

Whilst watching the play it brought back memories to me of learning about this at school and I think for the children who will be lucky enough to see it, they will get a much better understanding than from a normal classroom lesson. 

To summarize it was an excellent production by all involved and something I would like to see again!

Bernard Morris

We were thrilled to have been invited to this very special performance of one of our author supporter's books, and wish the production team and cast a very successful run. We also hope that lots of our South Yorkshire Coram Beanstalk schools have the opportunity to see it too!