Help bring this a trailblazing participatory food-theatre show for schools and families, to London....
THE TABLE OF DELIGHTS
Recent UK government statistics on childhood obesity and its long term damage are shocking.
We all know the epidemic is growing.
This groundbreaking "deliciously entertaining" show puts pure unprocessed food back in the spotlight.
Make a difference today and be part of assisiting an urgent cultural concern. Help children stop and consider what they eat and where it comes from, through the power of theatre by tasting and participating around The Table Of Delights.
The Table Of Delights - a theatrical tasting in 5 acts - is a participatory food-theatre show for families and schools; 60 children (or two school classes) sit around a giant ten metre table on stage engaging all their senses. They taste, explore and listen to field to plate stories and original music as award-winning chefs prepare delicious tasting morsels.
Mr Fox Magazine on The Table of Delights London run here: http://www.mrfoxmagazine.com/down-time/things-to-do-with-kids/food-education-meets-monty-python-the-table-of-delights/
Crumbs Magazine on The Table of Delights Bath / London run here: http://www.crumbsmag.com/from-the-mag/812_theatre-preview-the-table-of-delights
The story
A few years ago two pairs of parents with children at the same Bristol school (6 mouths to feed between them) were chatting at the local playground. We started sharing our passions in life and work and the concerns for the future health of our children in an age of processed food and too much screen time. Before we knew it we had started collaborating on a theatre experience about food provenance. Very quickly ideas began to flourish, recipes triggering script, text and music informing food and so on. Devising theatre and cooking shared alot of similarities; using pure ingredients to make something magical, the courses of a tasting menu echoing the 5 acts of a play; prologues for starters, the main dish as the main act and so forth. Backstage kitchen chaos mirroring our behind the scenes madness and the 'Table' a metaphor for the stage where great things are presented to an appreciative and hungry audience.
The Table of Delights was born…
We chose five 'humble' food groups; Bread, Beetroot, Spices, Milk and Honey We wanted our young audience, to celebrate and salivate, and above all, be thoroughly enchanted; a sensory and educational experience but also one that would make participants whoop with delight or gasp with despair. "The lamentable tale of Bert and Betty and the beetroot massacre" is told as the children eat beetroot jelly and beetroot chocolate cake. For the final act - honey, a spaceman-beekeeper salvages prized honeycomb which is then served with ice cream to eat; reverence to the beauty of bees fragile and a reminder of their vital contribution to our planet. If that all sounds too earnest, the moment is turned on its head, when Miss Queen Bee shimmies onto the table singing to her chorus of worker bees who then conga out of the theatre. Sated with spectacle and stories, the legacy of The Table of Delights is rooted in the importance and joy we must all feel for good food.
Why Crowdfunder ?
The Table of Delights has been offered a run at The Print Room Theatre at The Old Coronet in Notting Hill for three weeks in November / December. This will be the first show this dynamic venue will have put on for children; a unique chance for local young audiences to be inspired by something different.
HOWEVER, as with all good story telling, disaster strikes before a (potentially) happy ending. We’ve hit an unexpected set back; crucial majority Arts Council funding for the run in London has not materialised. A sad outcome on government cut backs in the arts means this heartfelt and necessary project is now in jeopardy.
The venue is booked. The show is programmed. The recipes, music and text are written. Our dedicated team of chefs, and performers are raring to go. Excitement is building in the press about this delicious and relevant event. BUT… without backing The Table of Delights simply cannot go ahead.
This is where we invite YOU our Crowdfunding heroes to step in. Henry V or Delia Smith, sword or wooden spoon, seize your weapon (work with us here… for wallet sounds so very prosaic) with your help, we can save the day !
Your generous pledges will contribute towards;
Pre show expenses such as:
- remakes of costumes, props and set
- rewrites
- food research
- music and instruments
- rehearsal room hire and expenses
- lesson plans and follow up activities with schools
Show expenses such as:
- food and drink for over 30 performances
- fully equipped off-site kitchen hire including venue, kitchen equipment, ovens and freezers
- hire of lighting, sound and FX
- seating
MOST IMPORTANTLY every single pledge will contribute in some way to the food knowledge and future eating habits of the next generation.
The team
The show is presented by Theatre Damfino; an award-winning Bristol based theatre company whose work includes Mayday Mayday (Bristol Old Vic, St Ann’s Warehouse New York) and was recently adapted as an afternoon play for Radio 4.
“Alive with little magics” (Time Out New York)
"Poignant…uplifting” (New York Times on Mayday Mayday)
The healthy and organic bite-sized tasting nibbles are devised and prepared by chefs Claire Thomson (Guardian Kids Food columnist and author of The Five o' clock Apron) – and restaurant owner Matt Williamson (Michelin Bib Gourmand winner Flinty Red, Bristol)
"Food as good as this doesn't come along very often"
(The Telegraph on Flinty Red)
“One of the best family cookbooks I’ve seen in years” –Diana Henry)
The spectacle is performed by a pedigree creative team including internationally renowned mime artist Les Bubb as Le Maitre D'. Original music is composed by Benji Bower (Jane Eyre National Theatre) and words are by Adam Peck and devised by Tristan Sturrock (Kneehigh's Rebecca, Brief Encounter )
The show has already enjoyed two sell out 5 star runs to schools, families and adult audiences at Bristol Old Vic.
“Deliciously entertaining…children and their parents left smiling and licking their lips"
( Bristol Post * * * * * )
"The Table Of Delights made me think about what the bees do and the honey ice cream was awesome"
(Christian aged 9 Colston's Primary Bristol)
“Great show. Really fun for children. All schools should see it.”
(Henry Dimbleby, food writer and pioneer)
We are all still buzzing from the memories of a vibrant and exciting show
which had an important tale to tell about the origins and value of our food
(Western Super Mum )
“taste-tastic floury glittery magic …best school trip ever !"
(The children of Horfield Primary school Bristol)
All of our tasting nibbles are locally sourced and organic. We can assure you there are no nuts in the performance apart from us !
Our rewards are delicious and tempting. Look what's on the menu. In exchange for your generous pledges there is a scrumptious smorgasboard on offer; from a simple 'First course' of a Table of Delights CD and seeds to plant to the full 'Feast' which includes an onstage 'learn-the-songs-and-dress-up-in-chef-whites-experience' with the cast and the chefs cookimg for your at your home with live bespoke music.
PLEASE HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE TODAY TOWARDS ENCOURAGING CHILDREN'S FOOD HABITS TOMORROW
"good food is vital for our childrens health and theatre is food for their imagination"
Katy Carmichael (Artistic director of Theatre Damfino)
& Claire Thomson, (Food writer & chef)
http://theatredamfino.co.uk/the-little-table-of-delights.php
http://5oclockapron.com/mycolumn/2015/6/8/the-little-table-of-delights
http://www.the-print-room.org/theatre/autumn-2015-season/the-table-of-delights/
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