2021 › Margate

Past event

Jan Blake Performance

How did it go?

Yesterday we had the pleasure of spending an hour with the utterly brilliant storyteller Jan Blake at the Margate Theatre Royal. The children were extremely excited to arrive at the beautiful old theatre, but Jan soon calmed them down and captured their attention with a couple of opening riddles, followed by the call and response refrain "Crick! Crack"- which many storytellers use to make sure they have the full attention of the audience. That wasn't a problem for this group of 400 children as goose bumps crept all over our skin as Jan told spooky tales from the Caribbean.

Listening to Jan is an extraordinary experience - by using the power of language, song and different voices, vivid scenes and pictures form in your minds eye. It's almost like watching a movie in your own imagination.

There was time for a question and answer session, before it was time to say goodbye. In this age of screens and evermore distracting entertainment, it was amazing to see so many primary children on the edge of their seats thoroughly engaged by the words of one incredible woman on stage. Spellbinding!

All the children left smiling and happily clutching their very own copy of Trish Cooke's book, Tales from the Caribbean, a gift from The Children's Bookshow.

What people said:

Thank you for, yet again, an utterly amazing and inspiring Bookshow this year. Jan Blake was mesmerising and the children thoroughly enjoyed her perfomance.
In the afternoon, her workshop very much inspired our pupils and many have been trying their hand at storytelling since. Thanks again.

Teacher from Margate

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FREE copy of *Tales from the Caribbean* by Trish Cooke for every child attending this performance! cover

FREE copy of Tales from the Caribbean by Trish Cooke for every child attending this performance!

Venue:
Theatre Royal, Addington Street, Margate, Kent CT9 1PW
Date:
Tuesday 16th November
Time:
10:30 am
Duration:
Approx. 1 hour
Age range:
Years 5 and 6

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Jan Blake

Jan Blake is one of Europe's leading female storytellers and has been telling stories to adults teenagers and children around the world since 1986. Born in Manchester to Jamaican parents she tells stories from Africa and the Caribbean and has an international reputation for dynamic, witty and exciting storytelling.

Engaging, deeply emotional and at times outright hilarious, Jan Blake’s storytelling is among the best in the world.

Everything Theatre


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