The Travelling Puppet Show
The Nasiriyah Theatre Group
in coordination with War Child
Report of the First Puppet Show, 4th February 2005
(Click here for the background to the project.)
With funding supplied from the Iraq Solidarity Fund in Leeds, the above project was able to take shape in 2004, and although War Child had originally planned to buy resources in Iraq to make the puppets it was very difficult as there were minimal resources. Puppets were purchased in London in line with the group’s guidelines. These were glove puppets which could be mixed and matched for different story lines. Children’s dressing-up clothes were purchased too. This enables the children to dress up after the show and experience the world of drama.
Meanwhile, in Iraq, scripts were written by the group. The insecurity within Iraq did lead to delays as did politics with governmental departments, e.g. the Department of Youth and Sport who were organizing venues. The first show took place, but because of insecurities War Child requested that its logo should not appear on the advertising posters and that War Child should not be mentioned at the event.
The Iraq Solidarity Group continued its fundraising, and the Nasiyirah Theatre Group were able to buy a vehicle — which is amazing, as this gives them the mobility to travel around the Southern governorates and reach many more children.
The first show took place on Friday 4th February 2005, and it was extremely successful. A large number of children and parents attended the show and for many it was the first time that they experienced live acting. It was obvious from their reactions that they were totally engrossed in the show and enjoyed every moment.
Here is a quote from Kanann, our local programmes manager: ‘I wish you had been there to see the joy of children while they were watching The Kitten Which Had Forgotten the Moaning, The Lion and the Mouse and A Tale of a Bird. In the intervals, some of the children expressed their pleasure by delivering impressive poems, and a storm of clapping occurred at the start and end of each stage play’.
Officials, local celebrities and media works all attended the show too and it was rated as a true success. The group is now preparing for more venues to show the puppet performances and increase their audiences. It is possible that we will receive a CD-Rom of the first show, which we will pass onto you.
Please pass on our utmost thanks to everyone who fundraised for this project and for the changes they are making to children’s lives in Iraq. We very much appreciate your support, without which this could not have been achieved.
Here are some photos taken from the first show.
