The Facing Unknown

Over the last few weeks, things have changed massively for everyone on a global scale. In the face of this pandemic, it is difficult not to get swept up in all the fear of what this virus is doing to everyone’s world.

Life has changed as we know it. The future is uncertain too. Shedding a tear most days for what is lost and trying to figure out how your family is going to cope on so many different levels can sometimes feel too much. Many of us are used to a rigid routine of work, school, after school commitments and to suddenly find yourself without a schedule for the foreseeable future is unnerving. 

But one thing that I’m hanging onto is the resilience of humanity. The kindness of people stepping in to help their community and the NHS is proof that we are stronger together. Supporting where we can, when we can. It’s also important not to feel guilty or cross with family members or friends if you don’t agree with how they are behaving. Everyone is doing their best with the resources they have available, and people are just trying to cope with the enormity of the situation.

Already we have been bombarded with a huge amount of online resources, some for free and others charging a minimal amount. It’s brilliant what you can now access and it’s inspiring to see people change and adapt and be so incredibly creative and resourceful. 

Making The Best Of It

If I’m honest I’m not sure what the future holds, but when we make it through I know we will be more resourceful and creative than ever. Having work cancelled is devastating, not being able to see one another is equally hard. So much of our work takes place together and although the chats via the web and the phone means we can stay in touch, it’s not the same. But we have a new story to come up with and we are looking at projects in the future so we can build a robust little company that can weather this storm.

We are working out how to record from home in our houses with limited equipment and tech skills so check out our social media channels, we hope to be sharing some useful stuff with you all by next week. We decided we are not going to charge for our content all we ask is that you get a friend to like our page or share and tag our posts in social media. Please help us build a strong community and let’s help one another through these unsettled times.

Celebrating 20 Years

Not exactly how I thought we would be celebrating two decades of working together but celebrate we must! We feel blessed to have met so many wonderful people along the way and to have formed a great many friendships. Thank you.

I’m taking us back to 2017 when we toured “The Golden Thief” to beautiful spaces across Derbyshire. I will never take for granted being able to take our audience on a spine-tingling shared journey in a beautiful landscape.

Our Creative Process

Ever wondered how we create our work. Head to our website and read our blogs.  Under the heading, ‘ Our Process’ there are posts about how we write the story,design for the stage,puppet making and songwriting.

Storytelling Success At West Park Museum

We had a great half term at this beautiful museum in Macclesfield. The event was part storytelling and part shadow puppetry with a good dose of interactive family fun.
We had lots of positive feedback from this event and it was a delight to see the children mesmerised by the shadows and the wonder in their faces when their own shadow puppet found the light and the screen was truly heart-lifting. 

Thanks to everyone for making it a sell-out success. You’ve given us a warm happy glow.
“Wonderful event, fantastic storytelling and super activities for all ages. Thank you so much” Participant.

Here Be Dragons Back For The Summer

We’ve been working hard to find partners and venues who are up for having fun this summer. In the next few months, we’ll be able to confirm when and where you can come and play.

It’s not too late….If you know of a venue that we can transform then contact: 
mark@babblingvagabonds.co.uk

Celebrating 20 Years

This year we celebrate two decades of working together, so I thought I would celebrate our work by sharing a photo from the past twenty years every month. We feel blessed to have met so many wonderful people along the way and to have formed a great many friendships.

I’m taking us back to 2005-2007 which saw us touring a tabletop puppet show of “The Lonely Giant” to schools, communities and venues.

Our Creative Process

Ever wondered how we create our work. Head to our website and read our blogs.  Under the heading, ‘ Our Process’ there are posts about how we write the story,design for the stage,puppet making and songwriting.

New Year, New Projects

Here’s wishing you a very happy new year. We are currently busy in the office planning and scheming fun adventures for this year and we hope you can join us on the way.

We are very excited to be working in partnership with the Macclesfield Museums and presenting a fun hour-long story-making adventure for families at West Park Museum. Join a confused and muddled Archaeologist and help him find the objects that create a magical story. For more information about this project make sure you follow our social media pages.

Schools Workshops

We are currently offering workshops in story making and shadow play. If you are a teacher, PTFA member or know someone who would like a Babbling Vagabonds workshop or want more information then please get in touch. Want longer than a days workshop? We have a great wealth of experience in delivering residencies too.
Email  tara@babblingvagabonds.co.uk

Summer Adventures Underway

With the success of “Here Be Dragons” last summer we are keen to share it with more families again this year. We are in cahoots with other communities and seeking further partnerships to help make this happen. Look out for more news nearer the time. If you know of a beautiful venue that we can transform then contact: 
mark@babblingvagabonds.co.uk

Thursday Throwback 

This year we celebrate two decades of working together, so I thought I would celebrate our work by sharing a photo from the past twenty years every month. We feel blessed to have met so many wonderful people along the way and to have formed a great many friendships.

This photo takes us back to 2005 where we undertook some pyrotechnic training with those wonderful creatives Vince, Sally and Jim from Soft Touch Arts

Our Creative Process

Ever wondered how we create our work. Head to our website and read our blogs.  Under the heading, ‘ Our Process’ there are posts about how we write the story,design for the stage,puppet making and songwriting.

Family Adventures Coming This Summer

Ever tangled with a five-headed Hottle-Spottle with a toothache? Or soothed a silver-tongued slimp-slatherer with a drooling problem? Meet the secretive ‘Creature Carers’ and help them to conjure a story to becalm a bewildered beastie.

Happy 40th!

We are excited to announce that we will be working with Buxton International Festival and Buxton Fringe in a schools project to celebrate their 40th anniversaries. We will be creating something wonderful with local school children for Buxton Carnival and BIF performance of Saint- Saens Carnival of the Animals and we will share our progress via our newsletter and our usual social media platforms. Can’t wait to see how this project develops.

Our Creative Process

New Show For Christmas 2019

The fairy lights have only just been packed away and already, for us, Christmas is in the air. We have the task this year of writing a brand new story all about a Christmas Toy Shop. Where will our creativity take us? Who or what might be the next hero of our story? Rest assured if you follow us, you can follow our story as we journey on our next adventure together.
Some families have thrown caution to the wind and already booked their seats to see The Christmas Toy Shop Mystery. So if you want the best seats in the house then head to DerbyLIVE to buy your tickets.

New Adventures Planned for 2019

We are busy working on new ideas for the future. We are already thinking of the summer and submitting funding bids so we can take families on yet more memory making magical adventures. This year could see the rise of Dragons!

We are also developing a project with Circus Artist Madam Mango, Greentop Circus Centre in Sheffield and Barnsley Civic Theatre and we will let you know how things develop with this project through our newsletter and social media.

Our Creative Process