A Necklace of Raindrops

Adapted from the captivating collection of modern fairytales by classic children's author, Joan Aiken.

Original illustration by Jan Pienkowski. Reproduced by kind permission of Joan Aiken’s Estate.

Crankie illustrations by Bronia Evers

Stories performed with original live music, spoken word, shadow puppetry and a crankie theatre with scrolling paper scenery.

A One Moment In Time production devised by Bronia Evers and Antonin Le Gargasson.

A necklace of raindrops that keeps its owner dry in the heaviest rainstorm; a granny who sews magic into every stitch - two spell-binding stories that delight and enchant at every turn. Journey with us from the snow covered landscapes of the north to the fiery deserts of the east, encountering brave children, talking camels and one extremely lazy wizard!

These much-loved classic tales have been adapted for performance by kind permission of Joan Aiken's Estate.

Full show length (two stories): 60 mins. Suitable for age 5+

Reduced show length (one story): 30 mins. Suitable for age 4+

Space requirements:  minimum 2.5m wide x 2.5 m deep.

For theatres: please contact us for a full tech spec. 

A Necklace of Raindrops was a wonderful addition to our festival’s Family Reading Day. The children sat enthralled by the beautiful stories and accompanying music.  A lovely event. Thank you !”

- Jennie Brown, Children & Young People's Programme Coordinator, Manchester Literature Festival

Key themes in A Necklace of Raindrops:

• Fairytales and magic

• Travel and journeys

• Weather around the world

• Celebrations

• Animal helpers

• Philosophy for children: ethics of stealing and theft

• Shadow and light 

 

Testimonials

“A wonderful event. We were enchanted by your brilliant storytelling, as were all of the audience around us!" 

— Bela Brown, programmer for Hoo Kids Bookfest, Bedfordshire.

 

“The performance was captivating. 60 children sat with rapt interest for a whole hour! We loved the rich use of language and rhythm, all the different instruments, and joining in with the song. This was a fantastic way to spark the children's imaginations and encourage them to draw on their own visual repertoire. The session was also creatively inspiring for me as a teacher. Bravo!" 

- Gospel Oak Primary School, London.

"Really excellent - this was a fun, magical and exciting experience for our pupils. We'd be keen to have you back in the future."

— St Stephens Primary School, Tonbridge, Kent

 

“The ideas tumble over one another, absurd, ebullient, ruthlessly logical . Her words are a joy to the ear."

- The Times Literary Supplement on Joan Aiken's book, A Necklace of Raindrops