North East theatre company opens new inclusive show in Tyneside schools
Timbadash Theatre are taking their show Skybound into schools in the North East this February
A North East theatre company are beginning their latest tour this week, with an immersive show - developed with pupils from Hadrian's school in Newcastle.
Skybound, from Timbadash Theatre, will be visiting SEN schools around the North East - designed to include children with additional needs.
The team describe the show as a multi-sensory theatre show, performed and experienced on a trampoline, created for young people with profound and multiple learning disabilities.
"The show incorporates rebound therapy with sensory storytelling, music and puppetry, to create an immersive and unique experience for our audiences.
"The story centres around a father, his little girl and her favourite toy as they make their journey up into the clouds and into the great unknown.
"SkyBound explores themes around connection, love, and the notion of being held.
"This show was made in collaboration with our project partners at Hadrian School who helped to co-create the show with input from pupils and staff."
Liv Hunt is one of the co-founders of Timbadash Theatre - and tells us why they find the input of the children so important:
"There's no point in us going away and creating something and then bringing it to a young audience, because we don't know what's going to work!
"We don't know what's going to catch their attention or catch their eye - so we create the show in partnership with them."
Founded by Jack Lloyd, Jonah York and Liv Hunt, TimbaDash also runs several other shows and tailor-made workshops across the region.
While SkyBound is currently an invite-only show, the show will be returning to NE cultural venues in 2024 for public performances.
Co-founder and actor Jack said: “What I love most about working with TimbaDash Theatre is how flexible and adaptable our work is.
"No show is ever the same, with every show being completely responsive to the young audiences.
"One show we leave covered in jam and the next covered in water!"
Fellow co-founder and community artist Jonah said that he also appreciates the unique aspect of their work.
“What I love about Timbadash is exploring and working with schools to cook up lots of creative new adventures, whether they be shows outdoors, trampoline adventures or running a workshop in a pool!”
“What stands out for me is the transformations that the young people can go on whilst engaging with the show,” added co-founder Liv. “We often have young people entering the space who are feeling distressed, haven’t slept, or are feeling unwell.
"But if we do find something that they find engaging, then often we see a change in the young person and it is brilliant to see them leave the space calmer and more at ease.”
Skybound will be shown at Hadrian School this week - until the 10th of February, before moving on to Woodlawn School in North Tyneside next week, and will return to the North East for public performances next year.
You can find out more about Timbadash Theatre online.