Live Performance for Children Returns to Christchurch

Parents (and children) around Christchurch can once again look forward to school holiday entertainment despite many venues being badly affected by the February 22 earthquake.

“Play with Pictures” is brought to you by professional actors and directors with back grounds from around the country including the Court Theatre and the Court Jesters. This exciting show for kids, devised and directed by Dan Bain (of the Court Theatre Jesters), will run at Open Stage, Hagley Theatre, 510 Hagley Avenue from the 18th April.

“Play with Pictures” is an innovative and fun production which invites kids in the audience to draw pictures, then three of Christchurch's most experienced and hilarious improvisers turn those drawings into live stories, right in front of their audience. Dan Bain says keeping theatre going in Christchurch and providing live entertainment for children is absolutely essential particularly during the school holidays.

“Without a CBD there’s a limited number of things parents and kids will be able to do during the term break, so that is where we have stepped in to help," says Dan Bain.

Bain says it’s been a tough few months, especially for children, and a fun, imaginative live performance featuring some faces well known to Christchurch audiences, will be a much needed tonic for everyone. Also appearing in “Play with Pictures” is Elsie Edgerton-Till, Hamish Parkinson and Ben Allan.

So, Christchurch kids should prepare to sharpen their pencils and crayons, draw some pictures and get ready for big laughs and crazy surprises straight out of their own brains. There will be live music combined with improvisational comedy including dinosaurs, princesses, amazing pets and rocket adventures. If you can draw it, the madcap performers can act it, and each show is different so kids can come more than once. Arrive early and can get your creativity going. The performers are around for about thirty minutes prior to the show with crayons, markers, paper and some “special helpers”.

Note:
Running time is roughly 45- 50 minutes and is suitable for children aged 4-10 years

Performances:
Mon, 18 Apr @ 11am and 1pm
Tues 19 Apr @ 11am and 1pm
Weds 20 Apr @ 11am and 1pm
Thurs 21 Apr @ 11am and 1pm
Fri 22 Apr @ 11am and 1pm
Mon 25 Apr @ 11am and 1pm
Tues 26 Apr @ 11am and 1pm
Weds 27 Apr @ 11am and 1pm and 3pm
Thurs 28 Apr @ 11am and 1pm and 3pm
Fri 29 Apr @ 11am and 1pm and 3pm

For more information contact Tim Bain on 0211560725 or at timmybain@gmail.com www.playwithpicturesnz.com