TOTEM - an interactive musical drama

About the show

This musical drama is suitable for primary aged children years 8 and 9 and also (with additional features) groups of adults. It is delivered in a series of workshops leading to a final performance by the participants.

The inspiration for Totem is the idea of meeting and communicating with spirit animals. This concept appears in many nature based and shamanic religions. This idea lends itself to creative work with children, who naturally take on different identities in play. Other important influences were stories from the Welsh collection, the Mabinogion, and the legend of the shape-shifting magician Taliesin (also known as Merlin). It is written for singers, narrators, with percussion and early instruments, such as sheep and deer bone flutes, gue and concouka, as well as bass and fiddle. In a simple narrative, participants are led to a cave at the top of a remote mountain, in which they undergo a transformative ritual.

The participants are also involved in movement and dance and (optionally) mask making. One example package would be 3 mask making workshops and 1 movement/dance workshop followed by a performance. Another would be 4 music and percussion, 2 mask making, 1 story telling and 1 dance workshop. We could tailor the programme to a school or group's needs and interests. Follow on possibilities especially for schools are creative writing, artwork and study of Welsh legends.

The performance will be supported by 2 professional musicians. Community artist Guy Norman would lead mask making workshops if required.

If you are interested in booking Totem, I have a DVD recording of the whole show available. Please see contacts and links. Fee on request.