STOCKTON Arc is embarking on plans to stage Christmas shows specially for younger children in partnership with an arts centre in London.

The productions will be for youngsters in the three to seven age range and offer an alternative to pantomime provided by larger theatres in the region.

"Pantomime is great experience for children and adults, but can be a bit long and daunting for those in the this age range, so that’s who we try and cater for, to complement what else is available in the area," said Annabel Turpin, chief executive at Arc.

With The Albany in Deptford, the Stockton venue is inviting applications from children's theatre companies with a deadline in April. The commissions includes £40,000 in cash funding plus other support.

Two companies will be selected to create shows with a wide appeal to primary schools, nurseries and family audiences in South East London and the North-East.

Each will make and present a show in one venue in December 2017 and then swap for 2018, delivering up to 50 performances at each place.

Ms Turpin said: "We’re looking for companies who can bring a contemporary approach, taking familiar titles or a seasonal theme and use them to create something that reflects modern British audiences.

"By commissioning new work for our performance spaces we hope to create shows which will provide exceptional first experiences of theatre for children and families.

"We have found it increasingly difficult to find suitable shows for this age group that tell a good story in a modern way, with opportunities for children to join in. We hope that by commissioning new work we can encourage and support companies to make the kind of work our audiences want to see."

Most theatres and children's companies already have plans in place for 2016 which is why the Arc and Albany are planning so far ahead.

Gavin Barlow, chief executive at the Albany said: “These commissions will allow us to provide work of the highest quality to family audiences at Christmas. The commissions grew out of a shared desire to provide exciting, original and excellent work for our audiences and to champion companies capable of making that work.”

The venture furthers the scope for high quality children's theatre in the region, with Theatre Hullaballoo, based in Darlington, already engaged in plans for its own building as part of the multi-million pound redevelopment of the Civic Theatre which starts later this year.

Ms Turpin said Arc's work with Theatre Hullabaloo in recent years through the North East Children’s Theatre Consortium had seen audiences grow, leading to the need to expand what was offered, especially at Christmas.

The Arc has a long standing relationship with the Albany, which has a similar ethos, but serves a very different community.

"We have previously co-commissioned work for adults, such as Simon Mole’s show No More Worries," said Ms Turpin. "This will be our first co-commission for children, though many shows previously presented at Arc have also been performed at the Albany. By commissioning work together, we can pool our resources and provide greater support for the companies selected."

The deadline for applications from providers of children's theatre is 10am on Monday, April 4. Full details can be seen on arconline.co.uk under the artists/opportunities section.

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