Children’s author David Almond and family theatre company Fevered Sleep will both play a part in the Young Vic’s 40th anniversary season with two children’s shows playing at the theatre this coming winter.
Almond’s adaptation of his popular children’s book My Dad’s A Birdman will play at the venue’s Maria space from 25 November to 1 January, followed by And The Rain Falls Down, Fevered Sleep’s watery creation, from 24 February to 12 March.
Speaking about the theatre’s family shows, Artistic Director David Lan said theatregoers could expect: “…enchanting work for younger audiences as a David Almond tale takes flight and an imaginative play about water splashes onto the stage”.
My Dad’s A Birdman is an uplifting and vivid story from the Carnegie Medal Award-winning author of Skellig, Kit’s Wilderness, The Fire-Eaters and, most recently, Clay.
From the vivid imagination of Almond comes the Great Human Bird Competition which is getting everyone into a twitter. Lizzie and Jackie have been building their nest and are preparing for take off. But Auntie Doreen disapproves and is out to bring some order back to No.2 Lark Rise. Will the dynamic father and daughter duo get a chance to fly, or will sums, dumplings and headmasters get in the way?
My Dad’s A Birdman is suitable for children aged four to seven and is directed by Oliver Mears (Hansel And Gretel for Opera North).
Produced by Fevered Sleep and the Lyric Hammersmith, And The Rain Falls Down is a show about drips, drops and downpours created especially for three and four year olds.
Imagine a world where every drop of water has a life of its own. Imagine a place where rainbows form from umbrellas, where fountains spout from plugholes, and where eventually the rain really does fall down. And The Rain Falls Down is a visually stunning celebration of the watery things of the world.
Fevered Sleep has created past Young Vic shows The Forest and Brilliant. Its unique style attempts to create performances, installations and site-specific events that capture the imagination of audiences of all ages. And The Rain Falls Down, which was first performed at the Lyric Hammersmith, is part of a trilogy for young people –
alongside shows Brilliant and Feast Your Eyes – that explore the rituals of everyday life.
Directed by Fevered Sleep’s Artistic Director David Harradine and Associate Director Sam Butler, the show has design by company members Harradine and Alie Beale and music by David Leahy.
For parents who are fans of Fevered Sleep’s work, the company’s first co-production with the Young Vic, On Ageing, a show for adults, performed by children, is also presented as part of the theatre’s new season this September.
CM