Location: Library

Date: Saturday June 12th

Time: 12:30pm

Storybear

Storybear loves stories, and helps puppeteer Niamh Lawlor tell and draw you one, if you promise to help! An intimate, interactive story-telling session suitable for a family or class audience (7 – 9 year olds the ideal age group) from award winning Púca Puppets. The Storybear learnt his skills as part of residencies in The Irish Museum Of Modern Art and Rutland Street pre-school, with assistance from the Ireland Funds and the Arts Council. After the session, time, context, and age group allowing, participants are invited to draw or write a story.

Due to the intimate and interactive nature of the work the ideal audience shouldn’t exceed 40 in number and should be in a quiet space of appropriate size. Púca provides a ‘magic carpet’ to seat most of the group but some additional seating to surround this is advisable. The session lasts for 45-50 mins depending on the age and engagement of the group. Two shows can be performed in one day. Get in time is approx 2 hours, get out 20 mins.

Founded in 1997 Púca Puppets have won several awards for their work for both adults and children. Their double-bill of glove puppet shows; The Tortoise and the Hare and The City Mouse and the Country Mouse toured as far afield as Bangkok where they represented Ireland in the Asia Europe puppet festival. The company’s puppet show without puppets Peg! Peig! a bi-lingual festival of nursery rhymes and children’s songs specially designed for 3 – 5 year olds premiered in Temple Bar, and toured successfully for over a year. Of their work it has been said:

“The puppeteers are… unobtrusively perfect in every physical and vocal nuance

…a small stage gem that sparkles brightly.”

Gerry Colgan, The Irish Times, on ‘Mary Mary’s Last Dance’

‘Lawlor is a superb puppeteer and puppet-maker…When the puppets sing in Bernelle’s own voice…the effect is sublime’

Karen Fricker, The Guardian, on ‘Songs In Her Suitcase – Performed Live By The Late Agnes Bernelle’ May 31^st 2004

‘Lovingly-crafted, enchanting adaptation from Púca Puppets… ‘Coraline’ may have been written with children in mind but it’s an occasionally chilling and atmospheric fable that will appeal to young and old alike… It’s an altogether engaging and refreshing piece…’

Rating* * * * Daragh Reddin, Metro, October 23rd 2006

“This show was even better than the book. I loved the show but I thought it was going to be stupid but it was not…I would pay a million to see it again”

“It was a bit funny and scary at the same time it was so cool”

From letters from pupils of St Patrick’s National School, Co Meath, age 10

The company also runs workshops in puppet making and performance, which they can tailor to specific needs.