BEAKS, banter and singing Brussels sprouts – Scottish Opera invite children to a new Christmas show with a difference!
Platypus in Boots is a fun-filled interactive mix of music, comedy and puppetry for children aged three-five years, following the fortunes of Sydney the Platypus as he visits Scotland in search of his first glimpse of snow.
The production opens in Glasgow on 27 November and travels to Lochgelly, Greenock, Edinburgh, Giffnock and Stirling.
With his trusty tartan welly boots on his wee webbed feet, Sydney the Platypus arrives in Glasgow from Australia ready to get out and about exploring the city and meeting its inhabitants.
It’s no joke being a tourist though when you look a little different and you can’t quite get your beak around the Glesga banter, and soon Sydney’s left feeling confused and a little bit lonely.
But with the help of a family of singing Brussels sprouts, Sydney soon discovers differences are worth celebrating, and if you believe in yourself you can do anything!
Platypus in Boots gives young audiences the chance to get involved with the story and singing, and help Sydney in his search for snow. There’s even a special surprise to take home at the end of the show.
Written for Scottish Opera by renowned theatre maker, Martin O’Connor, Platypus in Boots is composed by Rachel Drury, with music director, Laura Baxter, conducting from the piano. Performer, Steven Rae, is Sydney the Platypus, with Scottish Opera Emerging Artists for 2013/14, Lissa Lorenzo, directing, and singers, Sarah Power and Sioned Gwen Davies, performing a variety of roles – from air hostess, tour guide and taxi driver to Scottie the Dog and Brussels Sprout.
Scottish Opera’s director of education and outreach, Jane Davidson, said: “Platypus in Boots really engages with children, so they’re not just watching but also getting involved in the story and performance.
“The word play in the production is a great way to encourage wee ones to expand their vocabulary, and the story is a chance to help them learn a little more about helping those who’re a little different feel at home.
“The show’s also a great challenge for three of Scottish Opera’s Emerging Artists to explore working with younger audiences, which is a great string to their bow at such an early point in their career.
“Most of all though this is about having fun, and Platypus in Boots is a heart-warming, funny tale that the whole family can enjoy. It really is a Christmas cracker of a show, and we think yule love it!”
Director, Lissa Lorenzo, said: “Sydney the Platypus is a delightful character, full of curiosity about the world around him. The children will love following him on his adventures as he explores Glasgow and learns more about its people and history.
“The story has a lot of heart, and explores what it means to find your place in the world. It’s all brought to life by a brilliant cast of singers and fantastic puppets and offers something just a little bit different for families this Christmas.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
* Scottish Opera is Scotland’s national opera company and the largest performing arts organisation in Scotland, founded by Alexander Gibson in 1962. We are committed to bringing the widest possible range of opera, performed to the highest possible standards, to the maximum audience throughout Scotland and the UK.
* Scottish Opera’s Education and Outreach Department was the first of its kind of any opera company in Europe. It operates an extensive programme which involves over 10,000 primary school children every year, as well as many other activities including adult learning and free Unwrapped taster sessions.
* Scottish Opera’s Emerging Artists programme gives young artists the opportunity of a lifetime – a period of full-time work with the Company to help them launch their careers. Initially set up in partnership with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland to nurture outstanding young singers, the programme now also includes positions for a director, a repetiteur and a composer-in -residence.
Performance schedule
Scottish Opera Production Studios, Glasgow
Wed 27 Nov – Sun 1 Dec 10am and 1pm
Lochgelly Centre, Lochgelly
Fri 6 and Sat 7 Dec 10.30am and 1.30pm
The Beacon, Greenock
Mon 9 and Tue 10 Dec 10am and 1pm
Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh
Wed 11 Dec 11.00am and 3.00pm
Eastwood Park Theatre, Giffnock
Sun 15 Dec 11.00am and 2.00pm
Tolbooth, Stirling
Thu 19 Dec 10.30am and1.30pm
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Contact: Emma York
Phone: 0141 242 0552
Email: emma.york@scottishopera.org.uk
Website: http://www.scottishopera.org.uk
