|
Watch
Universarama! trailer: click
here
WHAT
IS 'UNIVERSARAMA!'
?
'UNIVERSARAMA!'
GALLERY
TECHNICAL
REQUIREMENTS
BOOKING
‘UNIVERSARAMA!’
FOR SCHOOLS
WHAT
IS ‘UNIVERSARAMA!‘
?
Since
the beginning of time, human beings have
gazed up at the night sky and wondered…
What are the stars made of? How big is the
universe? Is there life on other planets?
The answers to all these questions and more
will be revealed in Universarama!
(possibly).
Let
Professor Johnson of the Squashbox Theatre
Astounding And Amazing Astronomical Research
Society (S.T.A.A.A.A.R.S) take you on a
journey from Cornwall to the edges of space
and time! Along the way we will explore
the solar system, study the stars and constellations,
visit distant galaxies, and hear the fascinating
story of John Couch Adams, the Cornishman
who discovered Neptune.
Using
only silly puppets, ridiculous and unnecessary
props, simple household objects, and assorted
fruits and vegetables, Professor Johnson
will reveal the secrets of the universe!
Confused?
You won’t be after watching Universarama!
Universarama!
is a marvellous blend of spectacle, storytelling
and cabaret, all contained within an accessible,
funny and unique family show. It is the
creation of Craig Johnson - actor, musician,
puppeteer, astronomy fan, and long-standing
member of Cornwall's renowned Kneehigh Theatre.
For
adults and children 7 years +
Universarama!
is available to book now!
Please
contact
me for prices.
The
show can be performed in schools with an
added post-show Q&A session on the topics
covered. See Booking
‘Universarama!’ for schools
below.
Universarama!
is funded by Feast: making great art happen
across Cornwall
Review
from The Cornishman Newspaper, Thurs
16th Sept 2010
Craig's
Show Has Universal Appeal
By
Lee Trewhela
“KNEEHIGH
member Craig Johnson uses the name Squashbox
for his one-man children's shows, but Universarama!
is so good it deserves to be seen by everyone.
A
mixture of Johnny Ball, The Muppets and
his parent company's anarchic wit, the show
is a fact-packed exploration of the universe
and our place in it, featuring many of the
astronomers who have aided our understanding
of Space.
So as well as Professor Johnson
himself we are taken on an instructive yet
side-splitting journey with Ptolemy, Galileo,
Hubble and many others.
Among the highlights
are intergalactic grocer Gilbert Godrevy
using fruit of all shapes and sizes to show
the planets' place in the universe, while
Sidney Smith sings a couple of very funny
songs like some psychedelic George Formby
idiot savant. And let's not even get on
to the subject of Uranus's pronunciation.
Among
all this hilarity is the truly moving story
of Launceston's John Couch Adams, a modest
man who predicted the existence and position
of Neptune using only mathematics in 1845.
Due to a succession of calamities, he was
just beaten to its discovery by Frenchman
Urbain Le Verrier. It's testament to Craig's
writing and acting that a story using a
puppet as its emotional core should lend
so much gravity (sorry...) to proceedings.
I
came out marvelling at how Craig – a self-confessed
astronomy nerd – can remember so many mathematical
details and make them entertaining to boot.
He would make an award-winning teacher and
certainly enlightened my seven-year-old
on the workings of the Universe (and, I
have to confess, me as well).
This
is one of those rare theatrical triumphs
that makes you want to drag everyone you
know along – do not miss it!”
‘UNIVERSARAMA!’
GALLERY TOP
OF PAGE
TECHNICAL
REQUIREMENTS
TOP
OF PAGE
Universarama!
is designed for small venues, theatres and
halls.
A
performance of Universarama! lasts
about 1 hour 50 minutes in total:
it
consists of 2 x 45 minute halves with a
20 minute interval.
It
is performed by one person, plus a lighting
and sound technician.
I will provide
my own sound and lighting equipment.
I
require a space of at least 5m wide and
3m deep with access to two standard power
sockets.
Please
contact
me for prices.
BOOKING
‘UNIVERSARAMA!‘
FOR SCHOOLS TOP
OF PAGE
Universarama!
covers many topics of interest for schools:
Measurement
and Distance; The Earth, Sun and Moon; The
Solar System; Stars and Planets; Mass and
Gravity; Historical Figures (Greek Astronomers,
Galileo, Newton, Hubble); Apollo Moon Landings;
Extraterrestrial Life
The
show can be performed in schools with an
added post-show Q&A session on the topics
covered.
A
full performance of Universarama!
is suitable for KS 3 and 4 and can be performed
in schools in its entirety.
I
can also provide an adapted one-act version
of Universarama! for KS2, or for
any schools that require a shorter version
of the show.
Please
contact me for prices.
|
