Curtain up on creative show created by Teesside University academic

An interactive theatre show created by a Teesside University academic is being performed at the Royal Opera House in London.

Jennifer Essex, Senior Lecturer in Media and Performance in the University’s School of Arts & Creative Industries, choreographed and directed How Long is a Piece of String?, through her role as Co-Artistic Director of Fully Booked Theatre.

Fully Booked Theatre is children’s dance theatre company specialising in outdoor and indoor performances and workshops for children and families. The theatre company was awarded funding from Arts Council England and commissioned to create the show by regional dance development organisation Dance City, based in Newcastle.

How Long Is a Piece of String? will be performed at the Royal Opera House as part of its family focused Dots Day on May 7. Based in Covent Garden, the Royal Opera House is one of the world's most celebrated theatres and is home to The Royal Ballet, The Royal Opera and The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House.

This creative show will provide children with an opportunity to think about friendship, using sensory play opportunities and interactive sound technology to inspire curiosity and learning.

The show offers children and their families an opportunity to use their fingertips to create music. The children’s voices are also recorded as they enter the theatre and incorporated into the show’s soundtrack.

Jennifer said: “How Long is a Piece of String? is a fun-filled, uplifting and interactive dance theatre piece for families.

“We’re inviting children to accompany two gorgeously surreal and beautiful characters, String and Strong, as they learn how to play, how to dance, and perhaps, with their help, learn how to hug.”

Jennifer formed Fully Booked Theatre with Harry Man children’s dance theatre company in 2017.

Since then, they have performed for thousands of families in theatres, libraries, parks, community centres, town centres and festivals throughout the UK, entertaining children through the art of movement, dance and sound. They have a focus on child-like imagination, with strong female-lead characters and physical comedy.

Jennifer added: “Working in industry with companies such as The Royal Opera House and Dance City helps me continue to build my professional networks and assist my students in finding their way to their first professional jobs.

“Creating my own works and collaborating with amazing artists in the North-East helps to keep my practice fresh, so I am able to deliver sessions that spark and ignite the imaginations of our students.”

Alex Anslow, Producer, Dance City, said: “How Long is a Piece of String? is a joyous performance, encouraging families to be creative and have fun. The dancers connect beautifully with each other and with the audience and their costumes make for a mesmerising experience.”

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