Béirín Beag Buí is a lullaby film for children of 3-6 years. It is made with rod, string and shadow puppets as well as live action, and is produced by Púca Puppets. The film is about difficulties sleeping and about the magical world of dreams between sleep and waking. The story invites children to relax and embark on a journey of imagination and stories which will bring them safely tomorning. Winner of Dingle International Film Festival’s Fisín Award, it was also supported by Vast Valley Ltd and Dublin City Council Arts Office, a bursary from The Arts Council assisted its conception.

In addition to seeing the film children have a chance to meet the Little Yellow Bear and to respond creatively to the film in a simple workshop activity with their accompanying adults. They are welcome to bring their own teddies or other special “friends” with them, and to wear their night clothes if they wish.

The film is available in Irish, but can be presented in English or bi-lingually.

Film Duration 7 minutes, total experience duration: 40minutes. Suitable for 3-7 year olds and their families. Capacity 25 children + their accompanying adults.

Is scannán suantraithe do pháistí óga é Béirín Beag Buí. Déanta le puipéadóireacht, scáthanna agus scannáníocht coitianta tá an scéal simplí seo curtha i láthair ag Púca Puppets le cúnamh ó DIFF/ Fisín, Vast Valley agus Comhairle Chontae Bhaile Átha Cliath. Baineann sé le deacrachtaí codalta, ach freisin leis an idir eatarthu, an ré taibhsiúil atá  ann idir dhuiseacht agus chodladh. Téann an Béirín Beag Buí chuig ríocht na mbrionglóid. Cuireann an scéal an leanbh ar a shuaimhneas, téann sé nó sí ar aistear scéalaíochta, samhlaíochta, agus tagann sé nó sí slán ar maidin.

Chomh maith leis an scannán a fheicéail beidh seans ag na páistí bualadh leis an mbéirín beag buí é fhéin agus a bheith rannpháirteach i gceardlann simplí mar fhreagairt air.

Tá fáilte rompu a mbéiríní nó cairde speisialta eile a thabhairt leo agus a gcuid éadaí codlata a chaitheamh más mian leo.

Audience response to work in progress showings:

“beautiful interactive story” and “An-deas ar fad le haghaidh an aois sin”

Technical requirements:

A white wall or screen, cosy ambient lighting, a projector, dvd player and some additional seating for adults. Púca will provide an over head projector, and rugs and cushions for seating children and able adults. I can also provide a projector and Dvd player if necessary.

Please note: Capacity for response workshop is 25 children of 3+ years with their accompanying adults.

About the show:

Story Bear loves stories! He helps puppeteer Niamh Lawlor tell and draw you one, if you promise to help! An intimate, interactive story-telling session suitable for a family or class audience (7 – 9 year old the ideal age group).
Story Bear learnt his skills as part of residencies in The Irish Museum Of Modern Art and Rutland Street pre-school, with assistance from the Ireland Funds and the Arts Council. After the session, time, context, and age group allowing, participants are invited to draw or write a story.
Due to the intimate and interactive nature of the work the ideal audience shouldn’t exceed 40 in number and should be in a quiet space of appropriate size. Púca provides a ‘magic carpet’ to seat most of the group but some additional seating to surround this is advisable.
The session lasts for 45-50 mins depending on the age and engagement of the group. Two shows can be performed in one day. Get in time is approx 2 hours, get out 20 mins.

For an additional fee Story Bear performances can be adapted for specific occasions and events, past examples include Antarctica Adventure for the Festival of World Cultures, Archaeological discoveries for the National Museum of Ireland and A Christmas Story for Dublin City Council Arts Office.

Story Bear is available in bi-lingual and Irish language versions also.

Tá leaganacha Gaeilge agus dhátheangach de Scéalaí Bhéar le fáil chomh maith.

Scéalaí Bhéar

Eolas faoin seó:

Is aoibhinn le Scéalaí-Bhéar scéalta! Inseoidh sé ceann daoibh má gheallann sibh go dtabharfaidh sibh cabhair dó. Cabhróidh an puipéadóir Niamh Lawlor leis chomh maith: déanfaidh sí pictiúir de bhur smaointe.

Ó Phúca Puppets, dream a bhfuil duaiseanna go leor faighte acu, tá an séo seo oiriúnach le haghaidh lucht féachana teaghlaigh nó páistí idir 7 agus 9 bliana d’aois. Fuair Scéalaí-Bhéar a chuid taithí scéalaíochta nuair a bhí sé mar ealaíontóir cónaithe in Áras Nua-Ealaíne na hÉireann agus Naíonra Shráid Rutland le tacaíocht ó Chistí na hÉireann agus ón Chomhairle Ealaíon.

Tar éis an tseisiúin, má bhíonn neart ama againn, beidh deis ag na páistí pictiúr a tharraingt nó scéal a scríobh. Mar gheall ar an chineál seó atá ar siúl, beidh an lucht féachana teoranta do 40 duine; in áit atá oiriúnach ó thaobh toisí de agus ciúin.
Tá mata ‘draíochta’ ag Púca agus cóir suí ann don chuid is mó den lucht féachana. Sin ráite, ba cheart go mbeadh cathaoireacha breise curtha ar fáil san ionad chomh maith.
Maireann an séo ar feadh 45 – 50 nóiméad agus is féidir dhá shéo a léiriú in aghaidh an lae. Glacann sé dhá uair an chloig chun an áit a ullmhú, fiche nóiméad le glanadh suas ina dhiaidh

Produced by Púca Puppets in 2010 in association with The Five Lamps Festival and The Seán Ó Casey Community Centre with assistance from Dublin City Council Arts Office

Deep in the worst winter of their history, starving villagers are surprised by the arrival of a mysterious stranger. How has she crossed the snow-blocked mountain passes? How can they feed her when they struggle to feed themselves? Doors are slammed in her face, but a young boy helps her tease the community into making and sharing her very special Stone Soup.

This lively adaptation shows the relevance of this ancient story today. A ‘puppet show’ without puppets, in collaboration with performers Joe Moylan and Amy Conroy, it features live soup making and talking vegetables. Performances can be followed by soup tasting and a discussion about the making of the show.

For children aged 5-10 years or a family audience. Capacity 100. Get in time approx three hours, re-setting one and a half hours. Two shows can be performed in one day. It may be possible to share the stage with another performance.

Link to reviews : Irish Theatre Magazine

Upcoming Performances (to be confirmed: please check with venues)

Technical Requirements

Minimum stage requirements: 5.5 metres wide x 2.5 metres deep. Full black backdrop.
Lighting requirements: Pre-rig : 2 x profile FOH. Focus – entire playing area but off 2 x lighting stands.
2 x fresnel onstage over head. Focus – entire playing area
All 4 lights are on as audience come in and there are no changes. A level should be set so that actors are brightly lit but that cold light from birdies (carried by company with own stands) can still establish when turned on.

Lighting floor plan

2nd June Culture file on Lyric FM (podcast – mp3 format)