Last year, the CultureDale Activation Fund supported a project by Eye of Newt Theatre Arts to expand their educational creative provision through a collaboration with Woodbank School in Luddendenfoot. The Yule Goat Show was an arts project inviting children with various needs to engage with folklore inspired puppetry and imaginative play

After the successful delivery of the project, Eye of Newt were invited back in 2025 to create a Christmas offering for children on the school’s ENGAGE pathway. This resulted in the crafting of an experience for over 60 children who would not normally be able to engage with larger shows such as the Christmas pantomimes in Halifax, offering a hands-on and engaging experience using sound, light, temperature and textures around the school specified theme of the ‘Arctic’. Eye of Newt developed this new show in response to the theme and children enjoyed  ‘Ready for Winter’.

Eye of Newt provide various programmes that are appropriate for or can be adapted to SEND and care settings, including suitcase theatre shows and workshops, this includes their Hare and Moon walkabout offering an engaging and creative experience for those with various needs.  

The knowledge and experience gained from their 2024 Activation Fund project enabled them to expand this provision and improve their learning of how to best engage and work within SEND and care settings. This led to both the return to Woodbank School as well as further development of their other projects.

They are proud to be able to offer their work in these settings due to the adaptability of the suitcase theatre shows and workshops, being able to provide either a 5- or 25-minute show ranging from audiences of 1 to 100+, featuring gentle, sensory interactions with exciting puppets that are accessible in a variety of ways to suit different needs.

CultureDale are proud to have supported this project and aided Eye of Newt’s expansion of their SEND-friendly provision. If you would like to learn more about their suitcase theatre shows or workshops, view their website at www.eyeofnewttheatrearts.com or contact them via email at eyeofnewttheatrearts@gmail.com.

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