Puppets and Pandemonium were a fantastic new addition to the Shambala kids
area last summer. They brought a real energy and creativity with them, and entertained and inspired loads of kids. The
shows were very popular – with that slightly anarchic wild edge that kids love. The audiences were really involved
in the shows and were an integral part, rather than being passive consumers. Kids loved this and left feeling empowered,
and with the puppet making workshops as part of some of the shows they could carry on the story long after.
Alex’s passion for puppetry
and performing really shines through and his personal stories as part of the show went down really well.
The show was great to work with as they come
and take care of themselves and get on with what they do best. This is brilliant in the hectic festival environment.
They were self contained, very professional and their set up looked and sounded great. I will be booking them again
for the various events I coordinate.
Gary
Thomas
Shambala kids area coordinator
Bristol Harbour Festival kids
area coordinator
Bristol
Playday coordinator
Hi
Alex,
many thanks for your show yesterday, the kids (and staff) loved it!
I will certainly be reccomending
you to other libraries in the future.
Daniel Heland.
Westbury Library
Falcondale Road
Bristol
Alex's puppets are amazing. Each time he has visited the playgroup the children
are fascinated. He has a very enabling, child-led interactive approach and rather than just 'putting on a show' the
puppets interact with the children and what they do is contest dependant starting with the children and what is happening.
There is a huge learning potential in what Alex does and the children show high levels of enthusiasm, involvement and enjoyment.
He is able to adapt easily according to the childrens reactions. He shows the children how he makes the puppets- often out
of recycled scrap and inspired them to have a go themselves- he really fires their imagination.
Dawn Tomson- Playworker/Inclusion
worker
Parkway Playgroup, Bristol
The childen had a good balance of support and time
to explore on their own.
There was a wonderful buzz of excitement around the room. They were having great fun, but were
also working so hard and being very productive. It was one of those learning experiences that they will remember. Thankyou!
We must book more for next year.
Jane Robinson- Gifted and Talented East 1 cluster enrichment leader, Bristol.
The directions were presented in a friendly way and were clear and easy for the children to follow
allowing space for them to be creative independently without adults altering their ideas. Thanks, the children enjoyed it
- and so did I.
Jean Baker (Learning Support)
 | The children particularly benefited from the thinking about it before they made puppets;
to know things are not just made out of thin air. Everything was well directed and all instructions were clear. I thouroughly
enjoyed the day. The kids will talk for days about it.
S. Knight- LSA
Some coments from the children;
'The princess with the yellow hair was clever and brave she was
my favorite'
'I liked the puppets the princess was best and we got to hold them after'
'All the
puppets were made of junk and I liked the silver monster'
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