New Year - New Term - New Venue!

Following a fantastic start the new provision, the Spring term of Entertainingly Different Drama sessions will kick off on Wednesday 11th January 2012.  Please note that due to popular demand sessions will relocate to Bluecoat Infant School in Great Torrington (EX38 7NU).  We appreciate that this isn't as convenient for a number of our participants but we sincerely hope that everyone can make the sessions as everyone is an important part of the group.

The dates and times for the forthcoming term are as follows:

Juniors (8-12 Years) from 5:15pm until 6:45pm ~ £50 per term

Seniors (13-19 Years) from 7:00pm until 9:00pm ~ £60 per term

Subs payable half termly in advance

I Went on a Bear Hunt at the Exeter Northcott!

...and guess who is in the suit!?

Yep, you guessed it! Rob was lucky enough to join the cast of "We're Going On a Bear Hunt".

It was great fun!

Thanks to Matt Newbury at the Exeter Northcott for arranging it.

Crediton's Got Talent!

Rob was delighted to be invited to offer his services to the Crediton 1st Beavers group by way of a circus skills workshop which not only supported the award of the 'Creativity Badge' but also formed their performance piece for 'Crediton's Got Talent'.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P A S T  N E W S  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

 Beaford Off To A Great Start!

The weekly drama sessions at Beaford kicked off with a fun packed taster session and we are now into the fourth week of this six week block.  Participants aged 8-19 years have enjoyed challenging yet enjoyable sessions learning about significant drama theorists in a practical way as well as looking at transactional improvisation and physical theatre.  They have even learned how to play again!

The sessions are energised and fresh, and have a renewed enthusiam with lots of exciting things planned for future sessions! 

There are still a few places available in both groups and the next block of 6 weeks begins Wednesday 2nd November.

8-12 years: 5:00pm-6:30pm and 13-19 years: 6:45pm-8:45pm. Booking on 07751886923 or email rob@entertaininglydifferent.co.uk

Please note, there are some car sharing arrangements in place, with the potential for more, so if transport issues are putting you off, be sure to contact Rob to check if there is anyone travelling from your area.

Balloons Bereavement Day

On Saturday 24th September, Rob was delighted to be involved with Exeter based charity Balloons as part of their celebration of life event.  Balloons (Bereavement And Loss LOoking ONwardS) is a charity that provides community-based support for children, young people and their families from Exeter, Mid or East Devon following the death, or before an expected death, of a significant person in their lives, such as a parent, carer or sibling.

'Balloons' regularly organise days for families to attend where the aim of the day is to shed a little light into their lives with activities and entertainment.  This is this second time that Rob has been invited to participate and this time Dexter Newman was alongside.  Children and adults alike were treated to a slapstick comedy workshop along with storytelling and songs.  The day is finished with a touching release of balloons in memories of loved ones lost.

For more information about 'Balloons' visit www.balloons-devon.org.uk.

A New Mode of Transport for Rob!

Rob is well known for his larger than life, enthusiastic personality and now he has the transport to match!  There will be no more struggling to load and unload his 3-door car - it has been replaced by a sign-written van!

Photographers from the Express and Echo and Crediton Courier newspapers were there to capture the moment when Rob collected his new pride and joy.  Rob is grateful to Eden Vauxhall in Exeter for sponsoring the sign-writing and extends his thanks to Alastair Hutchings, Sales Manager.  Rob would also like to thank the Express and Echo and Alan Quick, Editor of the Crediton Courier. 

Check out the Express and Echo article here.

Entertainingly Different Infant Drama Sessions

From Thursday 15th September, pupils at Great Torrington Bluecoat Church of England Infant and Nursery School will have the opportunity of working with Rob Pudner as he commences a new provision of Entertainingly Different Infant Drama sessions.

Every Thursday after school from 3:15pm-4:15pm participants will be taken on a creative journey using role play, character work, mime and movement and imaginative play.  The drama sessions will focus on developing those all important life skills.

The provision will be reviewed after the first initial six week block with the possibility of adding a further session from 4:30pm.

Sessions cost £3.00 and are payable in six week blocks. Parents/carers of Bluecoat pupils are able to book their place through the school Reception.

Also at Bluecoats....

Bluecoat Teaching staff hit the ground running following the summer break as they returned on 1st September to an INSET session led by Rob Pudner.  The INSET session had a clear focus on storytelling and how to use storytelling as a stimulus for writing.

Following a very successful INSET session, Rob will continue this work during this half term as he joins year two teachers in class on a Thursday afternoon to put some of the theory into practice.

Bluecoats are delighted to be developing this relationship with Rob who has a widely respected reputation for his dramatic work with young people whilst Bluecoats themselves are proud of their commitment to excellence in the Early Years.

Entertainingly Different Dramatic Provision!

Download the flyer here!

Rob’s ‘Entertainingly Different’ Workshops Make a Dramatic Return to North Devon!

With the Summer holidays drawing to an end and a new school term just around the corner there is no better time for children and young people to think about taking up a new hobby or reviving an old one and if it’s something dramatic you are looking for then look no further.

On Wednesday nights at Beaford Village Hall from 7th September, young people aged 8-19 years will have the opportunity of flexing their creative muscles under the guidance and dynamic leadership of experienced theatre director, actor and drama practitioner Rob Pudner. Rob, an artist in demand has been educating, inspiring, enthusing and entertaining the young and old alike for over 16 years throughout the county and beyond. Known by many for his outstanding work with young people at West Country Schools/Colleges and also at the Plough Arts Centre, Great Torrington where he was Youth Theatre Director for 9 years facilitating countless workshops and producing 19 full scale productions for the general public. Rob commented ‘on leaving the Plough at the end of July I had such a demand to set up a new provision I didn’t want to disappoint and I am delighted to be able to offer this exciting course to the young people of Torridge and beyond!’

Rob trades under the name ‘entertainingly different’ and this new and exciting provision certainly promises to be just that. Participants will enjoy a varied programme of sessions looking at pure drama. Improvisation, physical theatre, character work and the spoken word will all be on the menu and he will also offer an insight into the history of theatre and the work of the great drama theorists.

Rob promises a relaxed and informal environment where everyone is valued. His ethos is very much about nurturing natural creative talent and individuality developing those all important life skills. Rob said ‘these workshops are about having fun and are not about turning young people into starlets but allowing them to shine in their own individual way whilst their overall development as people is nurtured and supported.’

Taster Session Wednesday 7th September (£5.00)                                                   - then sign up for a further 6 weeks

8-12 years      5:00pm-6:30pm (£25.00 for 6 weeks)

13-19 years    6:45pm-8:45pm (£30.00 for 6 weeks)

Booking Essential on 07751 886 923 or email rob@entertaininglydifferent.co.uk

Same Rob, same trousers, same ethos – a new venue – the start of something special!

Summer Drama & Circus Skills Workshops

On Friday 5th and Monday 15th August, Rob will be leading drama and circus skills workshops for 6-11 year olds and 12-17 year olds at Great Torrington Community School.  The sessions are part of Torridge District Council's varied summer sports programme. 

Download the booklet here!

Eligible children can not only use their 'Don't Stop Me Now' (DSMN) cards for this summer's activities but can also take advantage of a number of other offers from local activity providers for next summer as well.

Anyone wishing to book onto a course in the Torridge area or for more information on courses available, visit www.torridge.gov.uk/sport or contact Torridge's Culture and Leisure team on 01237 428743.

34th Dartmoor Folk Festival 2011

The weekend of Friday 5th August - Sunday 7th August saw the 34th Dartmoor Folk Festival in South Zeal, Nr Okehampton.  Rob once again headed up the Children's Events and the whole weekend was a great success.  The specially commissioned piece of theatre by Pregnant Fish Theatre Company went down a real treat as did storyteller Steve Manning. The junk instrument making workshop and playing session with Scrannel Pipe was really well attended and some very imaginative instruments were made!

If you were at the Festival and took any pictures of Rob at work, why not send them to rob@entertaininglydifferent.co.uk and they may get featured on this website (with your permission of course).  In the meantime, check out the gallery for pictures from this year's Festival and also the Dartmoor Folk Festival Facebook page.

RHS Rosemoor Storytelling Festival

From 16th-18th August, Rob will be at RHS Rosemoor on the outskirts of Great Torrington co-ordinating 'The Great Garden Adventure ~ Storytelling Festival'.  With a different storyteller each day on Tuesday 16th, Wednesday 17th and Thursday 18th August, why not come along and listen to stories of the weird and wonderful, the magical and marvellous and maybe join in too! There will be a session each morning at 11.30am and again in the afternoon at 2.30pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of this week...and what's more, it's all FREE. 

A Play in a Day ~ The Village That Fell Into The Sea

Download the flyer here!

Slapton Ley Field Centre 19th - 20th August.  For 8-14 year olds.

On a stormy night in January 1917 the fishing village of Hallsands collapsed into the sea. Only a few ruins remain - now you can tell the story...

Spend an action-packed day working with Rob Pudner, exploring the story of Hallsands through the use of specially developed games and activities as you work towards a final workshop-style performance to be shared as part of 'Celebrate Start Bay'. The workshop will focus on character work, physical theatre, improvisation, the spoken word and working as an ensemble with an emphasis on fun, creativity and individuality.

Workshop on Friday 19th August 9:30am - 3:00pm
Rehearsal/Performance on Saturday 20th August 12:00pm - 2:30pm 
 
To book on this FREE workshop, you must be able to attend both on Friday and Saturday. Wear comfortable clothing/footwear and bring a packed lunch. Slapton Ley Field Studies Centre, Slapton, Kingsbridge, Devon TQ7 2QP. Call Field Centre on 01548 580466 or email: enquiries.sl@field-studes-council.org