Join us this half term during Southbank Centre’s London Literature Festival for an exciting afternoon of performance, literature and spoken word on the Clore Ballroom for primary school aged children.
‘Queen of the Qanun’ Maya Youssef will perform The Seven Gates of Damascus, a participatory musical theatre piece which will take you for a magical through distant lands. Inspired by the journeys taken by Syrian children looking for a new place to call home, the universal themes of travel, mystery and belonging resonate with all young audiences. Whether you’ve heard a qanun before or not, The Seven Gates of Damascus will leave you with a sense of wonder, empathy and magic.
In between these performances, the collective Literary Natives will keep your little ones entertained with riveting stories of adventure, exploration and discovery. See below for the full programme, please note that times are subject to change.
Counterpoints Arts believes in the power of shifting how we see displacement and migration through the arts. Our curation of Travelling Tales is part of our longstanding collaboration with Southbank Centre in using the arts as a vehicle for social change.
11.15 – THE SEVEN GATES OF DAMASCUS
This exciting participatory theatre piece will transport you to a vibrant Damascus through rich storytelling and Maya Yousef’s soothing qanun, a traditional Middle Eastern string instrument. Go on a seven part magical journey that will lead children and guardians alike to a place of peace and wonder
12.15 – THE CURIOUS MR GAHDZOOKS AND HIS CAUTIONARY TALES FOR NAUGHTY CHILDREN
Come and listen to the wonderful actor and author Julian Anthony Vessel bring to life Mr Gahdzooks, a mischievous figure who feeds off the naughtiness of children across the globe. This modern tale will have your children gripped and ready to mind their Ps and Qs.
12.30 – GIRLS LIKE ME
Writer Hanna Jama recites her powerful poem Girls Like Me, for all the girls (and boys) who’ve crossed oceans and deserts to find home in London
13.15 – THE SEVEN GATES OF DAMASCUS
‘Queen of the qanun’ Maya Youssef returns for a second performance
14.15 – THE CURIOUS MR GAHDZOOKS AND HIS CAUTIONARY TALES FOR NAUGHTY CHILDREN
If you missed the riveting tale the first time round, join us for another reading from Julian
14.30 – GIRLS LIKE ME
Hanna Jama returns for a final reading of her uplifting poem.
14.45 – THE SEVEN GATES OF DAMASCUS
Catch this last theatrical performance of the magical journey.
15.45 – BEDTIME STORY: HANDA’S SURPRISE
Listen to writer and producer Salma read from her favourite childhood book, Handa’s Surprise by Eileen Browne. There’s a surprising adventure that awaits Handa as she takes seven pieces of delicious fruit to her friend Akeyo in a neighbouring village. With the cheeky animals she encounters along the way, will she have anything left for Akeyo?
THROUGHOUT THE DAY – STIMELA!
A fantastic compilation of music donated to Counterpoints Arts by some of the most sought after musicians, artists who have been forcibly displaced from their homelands and other musicians who support refugees and human rights.
