Southbank Centre’s Imagine Children’s Festival sponsored by the Book People returns for two weeks over half term (9-22 February) with a huge site-wide line up to activate ideas and creativity. Over half of the 2015 programme will be free of charge, offering all families and schools access to literature, music, theatre, poetry, dance, interactive installations, workshops and everything in between.
Children are at the heart of Imagine’s programming with the Festival Ideas Cloud, a panel of children from South London schools who help the organisers decide the key issues to be discussed and fun activities to be featured. For the first time this year, Festival Ideas Cloud will be asking the political question ‘What Would I do as Prime Minister for the Day’ by hosting their own Question Time. They have also created a magazine, exploring the same topic, which will be available for free around the Southbank Centre site.
Imagine highlights include:
A presentation by Russell Brand and Chris Riddell, about their children’s book The Pied Piper of Hamelin (20 February)
The London premiere of Brundibár (11-14 February) a renowned children's opera by Hans Krása, originally performed by the children of Theresienstadt concentration camp in Czechoslovakia, performed by Mahogany Opera Group
A free family concert, with the Young Orchestra for London, conducted by Sir Simon Rattle on The Clore Ballroom (15 February)
A rare concert featuring the 12 Cellists of the Berliner Philharmoniker (15 February), as part of The London Residency 2015
Southbank Sinfonia with Music and the Deaf provide Passenger Seats inside a live orchestra, offering a truly immersive and tactile experience for both hearing and deaf children
Back by popular demand, The Big Sleepover on the iconic Royal Festival Hall stage (20 February)
Interactive performance pieces including Charlie and Lola’s Best Bestest Play
A new early years soft play village and a bigger programme for babies with Baby Yoga sessions (9-13 February), Dragon Babies, Move & Shake and two shows for under-threes by Half Moon Young People’s Theatre, Curious and Circles in The Sand
A special appearance from Judith Kerr, readings and events with award-winning children’s authors and illustrators including Philip Ardagh, Cerrie Burnell, Steven Butler, Cathy Cassidy, Lauren Child, Jonny Duddle, Neil Griffiths, Petr Horacek, Anthony Horowitz, Gareth P. Jones, Liz Pichon, Kate Saunders, Axel Scheffler, Helen Skelton, Holly Smale, Jeremy Strong, Piers Torday, Philip Womack and comedian turned children’s writer David O’Doherty
A new Southbank Centre commission by Hip Hop spoken word artist Maxwell Golden who is creating 'Bouncing Cats and Boom Boom Pups' a call and response children’s show
Immersive opera, theatre and site-wide installations to celebrate Alice In Wonderland’s 150th anniversary
Literature is a key part of Imagine, and this year the festival sees a rare appearance from Judith Kerr, author of The Tiger Who Came To Tea, who will read from her semi-autobiographical book for older children When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit. A special children’s event with Russell Brand will be a festival feature, where he will read from his The Pied Piper of Hamelin with all his usual energy and dynamism, while Chris Riddell provides live illustration. Imagine 2015 will also celebrate iconic works of children’s fiction and the anniversary of many much-loved classic children’s stories with a Vintage Library with titles such as Thomas The Tank Engine, Miffy and Alice in Wonderland. To celebrate Alice In Wonderland’s 150th anniversary, there will be an immersive theatre experience The Imaginarium of Alice and specially-commissioned interactive installations The House of Cards and Flamingo Croquet. The Redhouse Children’s Book Awards, hosted by children’s presenter Helen Skelton, also takes place at the festival, the only national book award voted for by children.
Craft workshops and live drawing will be offered at Imagine from leading illustrators and book makers including Laura Allen Anderson, Suzanne Barton, Jennifer Gray, Jane Bull, Benji Davies, Sarah Dennis, Emma Dodd, William Grill, Faye Hanson, Hilda Offen, and Gary Parsons.
Keeping to Imagine’s playful feel, half term week will see the Kids Takeover again – when children will be in charge of several site operations – managing the day-to-day running of the festival, selling programmes, assisting light technicians, making intercom announcements and ensuring shows start on time. There will also be two days when children are invited to dress up, as animals for Animal Parade Day (16 February) and as characters from Alice in Wonderland for Down The Rabbit Hole Day (20 February). Other interactive activities around the site will include several daily performances by Cowboy Max, a family-friendly wild-west comedy extravaganza. Back by popular demand, Lost & Found’s Pirate School will encompass a series of workshops and participatory shows where children will enact their dreams of being at sea. To finish off the festival in true Imagine style we will be hosting our first Big Fish Little Fish rave, free for all parents and children to get involved.
Jude Kelly, Artistic Director of Southbank Centre, said:
“Southbank Centre's Imagine Festival 2015 inspires authors, theatre companies and artists to ensure that children and young people are regarded as the most important audiences and cultural thinkers. We believe that by giving young people the chance to shape the culture they grow up with and share their ideas with their friends, schools and families their creativity will be given a platform that can influence all of us. We love working with The Book People to realise our ambitions as their commitment to children is second to none.”
Seni Glaister, CEO of the Book People, said:
"Every year I'm lucky enough to go to Southbank Centre’s Imagine and, every year, I'm constantly delighted by the numbers and enthusiasm of the children and families attending the truly extraordinary variety of events. And, every year, the numbers grow. More and more people are coming along to see the very best authors and illustrators, listen to brilliantly creative musicians and immerse themselves in stunning dramatic adaptations. Not only is it a feast for the senses, it's a real destination for anyone who loves children's literature. A love of reading for pleasure is a subject very close to the Book People's heart and we are so proud to sponsor a festival that can be classed amongst our nation's very best."
We are pleased that Guardian Children’s Books are supporting Imagine, giving the Festival Ideas Cloud the chance to interview authors, upload podcasts and guest edit the site, extending the reach of the festival beyond London and Southbank Centre.
For ticket or price information contact: Southbank Centre Ticket Office 0844 847 9910
