Island Bay Playcentre Fundraiser/Play - Turn On The Light

Don’t be afraid! There’s a magical and imaginative journey waiting for you when the lights go out.

From the team who brought you The Pond, Twinkle, Wilfrid Gordon MacDonald Partridge and Little Kowhai Tree comes a special story about how not to be afraid of the dark. Meet Tim – he is afraid when the light gets turned off, but then he meets Frog, Spider, Cat and Mouse. Being creatures of the night, they help Tim overcome his fear of the dark.

“Theatre is magical, it fires the imaginations and fuels creativity”

Age group suitability: 2–8 years (up to and including year 1 and 2)

Under 2s are Free

Duration: 45 minutes

Please direct all queries to islandbay@Playcentre.org.nz

Bring along your tamariki and join us for a magical morning enjoying a theatrical performance at the Marine Centre in Island Bay, plus support our local playcentre at the same time!

Also for just a gold coin donation enjoy some coffee and delicious kai. We look forward to seeing you there!

About the play:

Meet Tim - he is afraid when the lights get turned off, but then he meets Frog, Spider, Cat and Mouse. Being creatures of the night they help Tim overcome his fear of the dark.

Meet Kenny, he is the caregiver for Tim. It's bedtime, but Tim is convinced there is a monster under his bed. Kenny tells him there are no such things as monsters under the bed. Tim isn't sure and wants to have a look. In an attempt to get Tim into bed, Kenny lends a hand, only to find the cat hiding under the bed.

"There is no monster only a cat, now turn the light off and go to sleep," says Kenny.

"Leave the light on and tell me a story."

The story finished – the lights go out.

"No! Turn the light on," says Tim. "I am afraid of the dark! "

And so begins a lights on, lights off, lights on, lights off ...

Tim finally falls asleep.

From out of the shadows comes Frog, Spider, Cat and Mouse. They are creatures of the night and not afraid of the dark at all. Whether Tim is dreaming or not, we don't know. All we know is that he understands from meeting them that there is nothing to be afraid of in the dark.

Full of original music, songs and actions, the puppet characters from Turn on the Light weave a story that helps Tim overcome his fear of the dark. Turn on the Light is a wonderful introduction to theatre for young audiences.

Turn on the Light is performed solo by long time actor/puppeteer of Little Dog Barking Theatre Mr. Kenny King.

By Peter Wilson and Kenny King

Music by Liam Reid

Puppets by Sharon Johnstone