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a Small World Theatre production
translation and narration by Carol Byrne Jones

Tales from the Taiga is a multi-media performance for children over 3 years of age, featuring full-size puppets, shadow puppets, music, story and actors.  It is based on a traditional Nanai story and takes place on the border of China and Siberia alongside the Amur River – the tenth longest river in the world.

Small World Theatre has worked closely with Welsh playwright Carol Byrne-Jones to translate & adapt the story so that it can be performed completely in Welsh or English languages and is often followed by a Q&A session with the audience and accompanied by shadow puppet making workshops.  The show raises lots of interest as it deals with environmental and cultural issues as well as being a magical story with a happy ending!

Tales from the Taiga at the Urdd National Eisteddfod. It is with great pleasure that Small World Theatre will be performing Tales from the Taiga at 1pm and 3.30pm and hosting a costume making workshop in the Cwtsh Cymraeg on the Eisteddfod maes on Monday 27 May. Join us for a parade through the maes at 4.30pm and follow the giant sturgeon! urdd.org

Read Polly March's article about the festival and our puppet show on BBC blog page

Synopsis

This is a modern fairy story, adapted from a traditional Nanai folk tale about a young man and his kindness.  Our hero lives in an arctic world populated by amazing creatures such as Siberian tigers, a giant sturgeon and much more. By solving three seemingly impossible tasks, he cleverly wins the hand of the beautiful maiden.

As the low sun and flickering firelight cast their long shadows, Small World Theatre draws the audience into this magical story where the shadows are not always black and white…

Quotes 2013

'Thank you so much for CHWEDLAU'R TAIGA....stories from the chilly Northern lands told in such a warm and accessible way.  Both parents and children alike were entranced. The shadow puppetry worked a treat, and the children rushed forward excitedly to get a closer look at the colourful characters at the end!  Lots of memorable imagery and a Saturday afternoon to remember…'
Dyfan Roberts, PONTIO Arts Development Officer

'The puppets were amazing – the tiger was awe inspiring and the audience all gasped with delight when she came on stage. Our audience really enjoyed the easy pace of the show, it was calming and somehow old fashioned while being up to date, engaging and beautiful. Children were captivated as were the adults.'
Siobhan McGovern, Manager, Newport Memorial Hall

Hiring

You can hire this performance and shadow puppetry workshops at your venue this year! Small World Theatre have produced a stunning hand crafted shadow screen set which provides the perfect backdrop to the costumes inspired by traditional Nanai clothing.  By working the spaces in front and behind the screen, Small World Theatre plays with scale and perspective using diverse puppetry skills. A clever combination of projected images and lighting creates the vast landscapes of the Taiga.

Small World Theatre tours with 4 performers and a technician. A full black out is required.  A full tech spec is available upon request.

Educational

Tales of the Taiga is fully bilingual and performances can be in Welsh or English languages.  A Teacher's Pack with bilingual notes written by Sue Lyle, Dialogue Exchange Ltd, offers teachers valuable background information about the Nanai people, a story synopsis and suggest classroom activities and discussion following the show.  Available in Welsh and English upon request.

To find out more, please contact Sam on 01239 615 952 or email sam@smallworld.org.uk to discuss your requirements.

This show is also available through the Art Council of Wales' Night Out scheme.