Magic Box was started in December 2013 by Lottie Allen, a professional actor with almost 20 years experience of working in theatre, film, television and radio. The main aim of the sessions is to provide a relaxed setting where young children can feel free to use their incredible imaginations, helping to tell a fun story.
Some children sit next to their carer(s) - who are present throughout the session - and want to listen to the story. Others join in the telling of the story. Others contribute to the story, taking it in unexpected directions! Each child is different and willing/able to participate in different ways. There is no right or wrong, no should or shouldn't - every child takes something away from the session, whatever level they have participated at.
Each session starts by peeking inside the Magic Box to see what old bits of junk can be found...and what they could be turned into! A character then emerges, who has a story to tell or a journey to take - and the children join in, becoming whoever or whatever they want to be. Music and singing plays a part - and the stories are flexible enough for children to add to them, or lead them in a different direction.
All stories were originally written and dramatised by Lottie. In May 2014, Rebecca Purton - a wonderful children's writer - came on board to write with Lottie, and provide creative assistance, including making beautiful books that are part of one party package.
Yes, Magic Box has started doing parties. We offer 3 packages, details of which will soon be on the new website - or can be got by emailing Lottie at magicboxe17@gmail.com
Magic Box is a new venture that has already created a bit of a buzz. And we have plans for more exciting ventures in the future.
Magic Box has only just opened its lid...watch what comes out next...!
14 August 2015 - More announcements
Sessions are drop-in - no booking required. We do our best to fit everyone in!
Price: see www.magicboxstories.com for price info. Price includes cake!
I have been going once a week for nearly 8 months and have loved it from the start. It combines professionalism and high quality with a local and friendly approach. My son is nearly 4 years old and Lottie manages to capture his imagination and hold his attention. She responds to the children in her group on any given day and in doing so the group is varied, inclusive and tailored. It has been very good for my son's confidence. Also as a parent it gives me time to rest, cuddle my youngest child and chat to other mum's whilst enjoying a free cup of tea and piece of cake. I found out about the group by popping into the Mother's Hub shop and I am so glad I did. Lottie's imagination is inspirational and I have found myself doing more creative things with the kids at home. The venue could do with being a bit bigger but that is only because the group is so popular.
Love it. My dd can be shy to start with, but she got more and more confident every we went. And Lottie is just so super nice! Also, the price is very competitive. Worth a visit x
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14 August 2015
14 July 2015
08 June 2015
11 May 2015
18 March 2015
10 October 2014
30 September 2014
Lottie is a professional actor who studied English and Drama at Hull University, and went on to train at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. Here, she also continued to practise dance and developed a passion for physical theatre. She has many years’ experience of performing on stage, in film, television, and on radio. Now, with two little girls of her own, she has remembered how much she loves pretending. Pretending to be anything. And so she has decided to share her pretendings and her making-ups with more little ones. And, hey presto…Magic Box! She likes tap dancing and reading, but has never tried them at the same time…
Rebecca Purton is a person who likes writing stories. She lives in a very small house and that is where she writes them. She is a grown-up but she has a feeling her stories aren’t. In her grown-up life, she has done a few different things. First, she tried to learn French and Italian at a university in Manchester. Then, she taught English to people from all sorts of places. Then, she opened envelopes, ticked things off and put things away in a cinema archive. And then, she flew to Tokyo where she stayed almost forever and forgot any French and Italian that was still in her head from Manchester. She found she was quite good at forgetting things so in the end she decided to come back to England in case she forgot that too. She likes reading children’s books, things that seem a little bit mysterious and dinosaurs. She has a small problem with spiders that are bigger than a two-pence piece.
Martha and I have attended the sessions at Mothers Hub and have also had Lottie perform a story for Martha' s 4th birthday party. Lottie’s sessions are unique- there are no other local story telling classes that I am aware of. Lottie is great at capturing the children's imagination and ideas and developing the story around that. She does a brilliant job, especially being able to keep the attention of the younger ones whilst stimulating the older ones. It's definitely my daughter's favourite class that we attend.
Tansy 04 Jul 2014