Playful Plays

Book excerpt: "David Farmer has hit gold with 'Playful Plays: Volume One', and if volumes two to ten were available I would be ordering them immediately... The selling point of the book is its simplicity. It offers teachers an off-the-shelf, ready-to-go, high-quality rehearsal process ideal for primary-aged students... The book is very well laid out and user-friendly, and is the perfect go-to for short presentation pieces that pack a punch." - Teaching Drama Magazine. This lively collection of eight short plays for children and young people is supported by inspirational drama games designed to bring creativity and fun to the rehearsal room. The stories are based on traditional folk-tales from countries including China, Ghana, Greece, Japan, Turkey and Scandinavia. The book is written in such a way that young people can easily pick it up and use it themselves. The plays can be performed by groups of children on their own, or under the direction of an adult. They feature performance techniques such as mime, mask, freeze frames, audience participation, live music and song. The author draws on his experience in the professional theatre world to provide helpful advice for the young director and actor including warm-ups, tips on line-learning and ideas for character development, as well as games to develop acting skills such as concentration, focus and working as an ensemble.