About the performance

As night falls and the moon shines, the air is filled with magic and songs and a young boy prepares a special breakfast for his poorly grandmother. Tanika Gupta’s brand new poetic drama for three- to seven-year-olds was developed with children. This highly imaginative piece brings together food and cultures from around the globe in a dream-like world under a full moon.

Key Personnel

Tanika Gupta - Writer
Chris Elwell - Director
Angela Michaels - Associate Director

Production Information

Running time at full length: 40 minutes

Suitable for age range 3-7s

Use of medium text

Use of recorded and live music

Requires a clear understanding of English

Touring Information

Scale of show: Small scale (up to 400 seats)

Appropriate for a studio setting

Number of people on tour: 5

Number of performers on stage: 4

Available to tour April - July 2012 (exact dates tbc)

Suitable for rural touring

Outreach and Educational Work

Half Moon is very experienced at delivering outreach work. At our own venue, Moon And Genie will be accompanied by a comprehensive outreach programme linked to the themes of the show, with appropriate curriculum links. It may be possible to deliver aspects of this for other venues. Half Moon can also deliver training sessions for teachers, as well as CPD sessions for artists and practitioners based upon our artform development methodology.

Company History

Since the 1980s Half Moon has given young people around the UK access to quality professional theatre, both as participant and as audience member. In 1994 the organisation moved to the current East London venue and has been a key Arts Council client since. More recently, the company has focused on artform development of the young people’s theatre sector and has gained a reputation for promoting artists and productions reflecting the diversity of contemporary culture.

Recent Productions / Tours

Rip Fold Scrunch for under 5s, on national tour April - May 2011; performed with cello, Kathak dance and lots of paper, visiting venues including London's Southbank Centre.

Plum And Pickle, for under 5s, premièred at Half Moon in March 2011; featuring the unusual combination of breakdance and geometric shapes (reflecting Early Years learning schema).

Half Moon also tours professional theatre for teenagers; most recently in 2010 with David Lane’s compelling piece Begin/End.

Reviews

Plum And Pickle
“Beautiful show full of expression.” (Audience member, March 2011)
“Seeing Plum and Pickle benefited my students’ learning and development.” (Teacher, March 2011)

Begin/End
“David Lane's two-hander maps the girls' relationship with intensity, in writing that is flecked with everyday poetry.” (The Guardian, February 2010)
“Intended for teenage audiences, this very watchable play addresses some difficult issues with commendable sensitivity.” (The Stage, February 2010)