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Children's theatre company shortlisted for awards

Alastair Brookes Performers from Travelling Light theatre company during a production of Igloo. Two actors are sitting on the floor with their backs to each other. They both have their hands stretched up in the air, looking up. Alastair Brookes
Travelling Light theatre company has been working with children for 40 years

A children's theatre company has been shortlisted for two national awards.

Travelling Light, based in Barton Hill in Bristol, has been shortlisted in two categories at the Fantastic for Families Awards for projects that were developed to respond to needs within the local community.

The company's production Igloo and accompanying activities and meals led to shortlisting in the Best Family Arts Activity and the Audience Impact and Innovation categories.

The winners will be announced in a virtual ceremony on 28 November.

Following performances at Bristol Old Vic in 2018 and a national tour in 2020, the company embarked on another tour with Igloo, to more than 1,200 children and their carers at centres and community venues.

They performed at the request of nurseries and children's centres, to give parents and children who ordinarily cannot visit theatres due to financial and travel restraints.

The show was accompanied by a play session, a picture book and activities to encourage imagination at home.

As well as the performance, the company provided the children with healthy meals during the school holidays, following a partnership with local food charity, St Luke's Lunch.

Alastair Brookes A toddler at one of the sessions hosted by Travelling Light theatre company. He is walking along, surrounded by a group of adult and other children who are crouched or sat on the floor. Gold confetti can be seen all over the ground. Alastair Brookes
The theatre company has been working with children for 40 years

A parent of a two-and-a-half-year-old, said: “The play and the book have really helped my daughter with her emotions.

"Since then, she has been able to say ‘Mummy I am very frustrated’ or ‘I am very sad’.

"She never used to talk about how she was feeling before.”

Camilla Adams Two children making arts and crafts at a table with a man from Travelling Light. There is a roll of foil on the table. The children are making things out of it. One of them is looking up at the man and smiling. Camilla Adams
Travelling Light provides children with creative activities, alongside performances

Another parent who attends with their seven-year-old son, said: “We live in a high-rise block of flats and don’t have a garden.

"If St Luke’s and Travelling Light weren’t running this holiday club, he wouldn’t have space to run and play.

"He gets to be a child, he has freedom to be himself, it’s what every child needs," they added.

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