Schools

PUNCH AND JUDY SHOW

This year will mark the 362nd anniversary of Punch & Judy. In 1662 Samuel Pepys first mentioned the show in his diaries so why not celebrate this historic event by booking a live performance at your school.

Professor Chris Cullen has been performing Punch & Judy for over 20 years and its popularity is better today than ever before. With an authentic Mr Punch voice and sausage munching crocodile, this is slapstick comedy at its best.  Chris has attended hundreds of schools, many of which re-book every year with his adapted school friendly version of the show.

This is ideal for many school projects and can also include a short talk on the fascinating history of the show plus Q&A if required.

PUNCH AND JUDY WORKSHOP

The 45 minute spot can be extended to a half day session by including a Punch & Judy workshop where the children make and keep their own miniature Punch & Judy show.

PUPPET WORKSHOPS

In this half day workshop first of all the children colour in and cut out their very own Fairytale character puppet show including Little Red Riding Hood, 3 Little Pigs and Jack and the Beanstalk. This is followed by Chris demonstrating various types of puppets from all over the world including string puppets from India and Cuba, a shadow puppet from China, finger puppets and he even makes a puppet from an old sock. The children then enjoy the Big Top Puppet Show which brings this fun filled, educational and creative session to an end.

MAGIC SHOWS

We usually perform a 45 minute show featuring comedy magic, loads of audience participation and puppets including Scruffy the dog. The children have a great time, the teachers have a break and it makes the end of term something really special.

1 ½ hour show – features all of the above plus a mini disco with games, competitions and party dancing etc.

RECYCLE MAGIC SHOW

This action packed show is always a big hit with the children as they are both entertained and informed at the same time.  Throughout the 45 minute show Chris explains the importance of re-using, reducing and recycling.  First of all there is a Magic Recycling Machine where household items are recycled in front of the audience.  Chris then discusses the importance of re-using items and demonstrates this by performing magic tricks with things such as an empty soup can and even demonstrates a routine using a set of bathroom taps.  To finish the show Scruffy the Dog assists the children in a Magic Recycling game.  The Recycle Magic Show is an entertaining way to start off your school project.  This can then be followed by a recycling workshop where children turn every day household items into sculptures they can keep. We can adapt this to fit around your timetable and is ideal for a morning or afternoon session or if time is an issue you can just book the Recycle Magic Show on its own.

ANTI-BULLYING MAGIC SHOW

Chris has been working on the concept of this new show for a couple of years now and is delighted it’s ready to be performed in Primary Schools throughout the UK.

In the 60-minute show Chris explains how as a child between the ages of 8 to 11 he experienced bullying at school and how he overcame it.

Because he was interested in puppet shows and magic tricks he was perceived by some as being “different” and this incurred difficulties.

The Anti-Bullying Magic Show helps the children identify signs of bullying.  It also empowers the audience to feel good about themselves.  All while having FUN.

Chris engages with children on many types of bullying including Verbal, Physical, Social, and Cyber.

The show is packed full of amazing magic tricks and illusions which create a light-hearted atmosphere in what can be a difficult subject matter.

In between the magic effects, Chris discusses with the audience what bullying is, why do some children bully and how do they think the person being bullied feels.

Some of the routines help explain the differences between having fun and making fun at someone’s expense.  The difference between a one-off comment in the playground to persistent occurrences.

Having talked about being bullied as a child Chris explains what happened to stop the bullying and explains that it’s OK to be perceived as “different” and what you can do if you ever find yourself in a similar situation.

The key messages are:

IT’S OK TO BE YOURSELF

YOU ARE NOT ALONE

IT’S NOT YOUR FAULT

YOU CAN’T SORT IT OUT BY YOURSELF

YOU DON’T HAVE TO PUT UP WITH IT

IF YOU DON’T TALK IT WON’T GO AWAY

The one-hour show is an excellent way to promote kindness and empathy in your school, can be flexible to fit into your schools own anti-bullying policy and suitable for both Key Stage 1 & 2 children.

MAGIC WORKSHOPS

Ideal for Key Stage 2

Are you looking for a school activity with a difference?  Then our magic workshop is ideal for Key Stage 2 children.  Boosting the self-esteem of children is an important part of school education.

The Magic Workshop is fun and engaging and will improve the children’s dexterity, communication, hand-eye communication, self-esteem, self-confidence and creative thinking.

Magic has never been more poplar thanks to TV magicians like David Blaine, Derren Brown and Dynamo.

With many years’ experiences in providing workshops and activities for Primary Schools and being a member of the world-famous Magic Circle, Chris’s Magic Workshops provide great fun, great inspiration and great interaction.

The workshop can be tailored according to the class sizes and age groups involved and sessions typically lasting from 30 minutes to one hour.  Generally, these lessons are ideal for 7 years old and upwards.

The children get to keep the simple props they have used so they can go home and entertain friends and family with the new skills they have learned.  As an additional treat the children could watch Chris perform his popular comedy magic show as a brilliant end to the workshop.

The Magic Workshop can also be adapted for after-school activities and holiday clubs etc.

“I just wanted to say thank you for Wednesday. The children thoroughly enjoyed themselves… as did the adults. I am really sorry I missed the end of the show as I had to set up outside ready for the afternoon. I wanted to thank you personally – never mind. I am sure we will see you again.”

“Just a quick note to say thank you so much for this morning’s workshop. The children absolutely loved it! I was surprised that none of them knew what a Punch and Judy show was before you began, but they certainly know now and are all keen to do their own shows for one another and for their families. A great start to our Victorian holidays topic. Thank you!”

“We at Broughton Primary school would like to say a HUGE thank you for bringing your Punch and Judy show to our Year 1 sea-side day!! All the children had a truly amazing time watching the show (and so did the staff!!) Thank you once again for making this day extra special for us. “

“I would just like to thank you once again for yet another fantastic Punch and Judy workshop!Your service to our school is outstanding and we couldn’t recommend you enough, once again the children thoroughly enjoyed the day and it has been highly spoken of throughout the week! The children couldn’t wait to get home and tell their families about their special day! Looking forward to booking you again next year “

“Thank you so much for today. just to let you know that the pupils voted the Punch and Judy show the best part of the day. The teachers had never seen the pupils so engrossed! Thank you so much for making the day so great!”