Young performers at Esprit Performing Arts in Swindon are getting the chance to experience a very special part of professional theatre as they prepare for their upcoming production of Frozen JR.
For the show, the school has worked with Aled Wyn Williams, a professional theatre designer, puppet maker and prop maker, to create a bespoke Olaf puppet and Sven costume for the young cast.
Aled’s work spans puppets, props and theatrical craft, and his experience can be seen in the detail, character and imagination he brings to every piece he creates. His current work includes My Neighbour Totoro in London, a production widely recognised for its extraordinary puppetry and theatrical design.
Esprit Performing Arts is run by professional actors Georgie Ashford and Linford Johnson, who have both worked in the West End. Linford is currently appearing in War Horse at the National Theatre, and the pair are passionate about sharing their professional experience with young performers in Swindon.
The school, based at The Esprit Centre in Headlands Grove, teaches singing, dance and acting to children aged 3 and above, with a focus on confidence, teamwork and real performance skills.
For Georgie and Linford, the aim is not only to help children perform on stage, but to give them access to the kind of training, knowledge and creative experience usually associated with professional theatre.
Georgie said:
“As professional actors who have both worked in the West End, our aim at Esprit is to share our knowledge and experience with our students in a way that feels exciting and accessible. Linford is currently working on War Horse at the National Theatre, so professional theatre is very much part of what we do, but we believe that kind of experience should be available to young performers here in Swindon too.
“The Olaf puppet and Sven costume have brought such magic to the production. Seeing the children’s faces when they first saw them was incredibly special, and we hope it makes them feel like they are part of something with a real West End feel.”
Alongside Olaf, the Sven costume has added another exciting theatrical element to the production. Working with puppets, costumes and larger character pieces gives the students the chance to experience a style of performance that goes beyond simply learning lines, songs and dances.
The children have had to think about movement, focus, timing, teamwork and how to make an audience believe in a character.
Linford added:
“That is what makes puppetry so magical. A puppet may be built from fabric, foam, structure and paint, but once it is in the hands of a performer, it starts to breathe. It becomes part of the story.
One of the things we love about running Esprit is being able to open up the world of professional theatre to our students. Having Aled involved has been amazing because the children can see that theatre is a real industry, full of brilliant makers, performers and creatives.”
Esprit’s production of Frozen JR will feature students from across the school’s musical theatre classes, bringing to life much-loved characters including Anna, Elsa, Olaf, Sven and Kristoff.
The school hopes that giving students access to professional-level puppetry and costume pieces will help them feel part of something truly special, while also developing their confidence and stagecraft.
Frozen JR will be performed at The Deanery Theatre, Swindon, on Sunday 21 June, with performances at 1pm and 4:30pm.
Tickets are available here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/esprit-performing-arts/e-kqgpbg
To find out more about Esprit Performing Arts, visit: www.esprit-arts.co.uk
Follow Esprit Performing Arts:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/espritperformingarts
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/espritperformingarts
Aled Wyn Williams – Theatre Designer, Puppet Maker and Prop Maker
Instagram: @aled_wyn_williams
