Christmas is a magical time of the year! From family gatherings, roast dinner and giving gifts it’s a holiday season full of fun and celebration. There are lots of magical shows across the country this time of year, so we thought we would compile a list just for you – with a Jigsaw twist! Read about the Christmas shows this holiday season featuring our talented students and teachers.

Nativity! The Musical

Adapted for the stage by Debbie Isitt, this festive musical has all the sparkle and shine of the original films. Join Mr Maddens and his teaching assistant Mr Poppy as they try to mount the best school Nativity musical St Bernadette’s School has ever seen.  Featuring guest appearances from Danny & Dani Dyer and Jo Brand this show promises to leave you with the feel-good factor from start to finish. Did you know, our very own Sofia Beswick from Jigsaw Arts Management is in the cast too!

See it at Eventim Apollo from the 19^th-31^st of December 2018.

The Bodyguard (UK Tour)

Former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard, Frank Farmer, is hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker. Each expects to be in charge – what they don’t expect is to fall in love. The smash-hit West End musical starring Alexandra Burke and Rachel Marron also features Jigsaw Arts Management student Noah Burnett. Catch him in theatres across the county including Cardiff, Glasgow, Liverpool, Belfast, Southampton and Milton Keynes to name a few!

The show tours from 3^rd December 2018 – 17^th August 2019.

A Christmas Carol

Visit the Chickenshed Theatre for a magical and brilliantly uplifting retelling of the unforgettable story of Ebenezer Scrooge, that “squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner”. Follow his spooky encounters over the course of one incredible night, and his journey ultimately to become the friendly, charitable man who “knew how to keep Christmas well”.

Jigsaw Reviews Competition Winner Thomas Coyne of Jigsaw Croydon will be reviewing the show next month. Watch this space! (Update: read his review here!)

Beauty and the Beast

When an arrogant prince is cursed to live as a terrifying beast until he finds his true love you would think that he would be doom forever. “Oh no he’s not!” We hear you shout, and you would be right to think so. This Christmas see our very own Melissa Coleman from Jigsaw Balham and Ilford as Belle and meet a host of other characters along the way including a good fairy, a nasty witch, the prince, and of course Dame Dotty Doughnut and Muddles who looked after the palace and the prince.

See it at The Broadway Theatre Barking from the 29^th November – 31^st December 2018.

Robinson Crusoe (Pantomime)

Our very own Performing Arts Teacher from Jigsaw Harrow, Meg Blowey will be treading the boards in schools and community theatres across Essex this Christmas as Robinson Crusoe. Can Robinson manage to survive a shipwreck, life on a desert island and win Polly’s heart?

Touring from 24^th-21^st December.

Which of these great Christmas shows will you be watching?

Jigsaw Performing Arts is dedicated to developing performance skills, promoting self-expression and building confidence. We offer performing arts classes for children aged between 3 – 18. Find your nearest school by entering your postcode into the search on our home page. 

Christmas Present ideas for Children who Love Performing

Holiday shopping is in full swing, but what to get for those children whose main interests are acting, singing and dancing? It can be hard to connect these interests with Christmas presents that the recipients will actually appreciate and enjoy. Hopefully our guide will help!

 

Christmas present ideas for children who love to perform

 

Theatre tokens

Theatre tokens have no expiry date and can be used at a range of venues across the country. There’s something for everyone – we believe you’re never too young to enjoy a trip to the theatre.

The best part about theatre tokens actually comes after the gift is given. You can involve the child or children who receive them in researching shows near you and deciding what to spend them on to see.

 

Acting out board games

Charades is a great game for those who like to act out, and there’s nothing like a board game to bring everyone together with family fun. What’s more, this version for kids includes picture cards, meaning even non-readers can take part.

Then The Story Telling Game will engage their creative skills, getting them to incorporate a word into a continuation of an ongoing story. Similarly, Hasbro’s Cranium Junior incorporates a variety of challenges into moving around the board, including performing.

 

Sing-A-Long Musicals on DVD/BluRay

This Christmas Present bring the experience of singalong screenings to your home. From classics like The Sound of Music to recent hits like The Greatest Showman, there are plenty of DVDs and BluRays of musicals that

Make sure to buy the Sing-Along edition or, if in a pinch, you can turn on the standard subtitles when those big musical numbers arrive and flick them off again for the dialogue scenes.

If you’re looking for inspiration, check out our list of our favourite musicals from our 20th Anniversary celebrations. And, if you want to go the extra mile, pick up the relevant song book too, so they can have the lyrics and notes in front of them.

 

Plays on film

For older or more literary-minded children, there are a wealth of filmed plays you can watch and discuss together. These have certain advantages over going to theatre – it’s much easier to pause to take a loo break!

Studying plays at school often misses the crucial fact that they are written to be performed (and enjoyed). A great production can transform tricky language on the page, even Shakespeare, making plays more accessible and fun. Good starting points are The RSC, The Globe, or the streaming service Digital Theatre.

There are also plenty of movie adaptations of plays that preserve the original language. However sometimes these use the use the opportunity to be more graphic, so be sure to check any parental guidance before buying.

Alternatively, there are entirely contemporary adaptations, including a whole run of teen movies taking inspiration from the Bard. (10 Things I Hate About You is The Taming of the Shrew; She’s the Man is Twelfth Night; Warm Bodies is a zombie-themed spin on Romeo & Juliet.)

These could be a great entry point for growing their appreciation of the theatre, helping your child discover how people retell and reinvent stories for new generations.

 

Jigsaw classes

We couldn’t help ourselves – with booking now open for Spring term and more schools than ever before, a two-week trial of dance, singing and drama classes at Jigsaw is a perfect Christmas present for your child who loves performing!

You can find your nearest Jigsaw school by entering your postcode into the search on our home page. 

Christmas Gift Guide for last minute ideas! Did you just realise you forgot someone on your Christmas list? Or is someone’s stocking is looking a little empty? Postage can be tricky in the lead-up to Christmas and cash can be a little impersonal. Luckily, there are plenty of other options if you’ve left some of your Christmas shopping to the last minute… 

 

Theatre tokens 

While we’ve loved catching up on all the filmed shows from home, it’s great to see signs that theatre will be back in 2021. 

The main benefits of theatre tokens is that they are accepted in over 260 venues across the country (here’s a map) and never expire – even tokens bought back when they started in 1984! 

So pick some up – gift cards can be mailed, found in many high street retailers, or emailed – and start planning your next theatre trip together.

Or, if you’re happy waiting for sunnier weather, check out our list of the UK’s best outdoor theatres for inspiration! 

 

Support your local bookshop 

There are several platforms where you can order books and other gifts while supporting your local bookshop.

With Hive.co.uk you can order books and collect them at your local independent bookshop, or get them delivered to your home. A portion of the order goes to supporting the bookshop. 

Bookshop.org is originally an American site that recently launched a UK version. You can choose your local bookshop and, again, a portion from your order will go to them. If you don’t choose a specific shop, the money is pooled and divided between all the shops on the platform. 

What’s also great is that bookshops and authors on Bookshop.org have profiles where you can see their personalised recommendations, perfect if you’re stuck for inspiration. For example, check out these very specific lists:

• New and Bestselling Books about Friendship, Family and Self-belief for 8+
• Our Favourite Alice in Wonderland editions
• Our Favourite Mysteries for Under-11s

(Bookshop recommend ordering by 16th December for delivery before Christmas, and Hive recommend before the 18th for 2nd class delivery.)

 

Take in shows at home all year round

The Disney+ streaming service is currently offering a gift option, allowing you to gift a year’s subscription delivered (via email) on a date of your choice. (The recipient can then activate it when they like.)

Along with the expected Disney classics and Marvel and Star Wars films, it’s also the easiest way to experience the stage phenomenon Hamilton, with a filmed version with the original Broadway cast debuting this summer. They also recently released a  Taylor Swift concert to accompany her album folklore. 

There are also several theatre-specific streaming services offering gift options for Christmas, including BroadwayHD (American but available in the UK), Marquee TV, and National Theatre at Home. Great for inspiration and catching up on shows they might have missed (or never had the chance to see in the first place!). (Not all shows will be suitable for all ages!)

 

Jigsaw vouchers!

Of course, we can’t go without mentioning Jigsaw vouchers, available this year for the first time! Give the fun of dance, singing and drama classes to the children or teens in your life.

No prior experience is needed. Our classes develop children’s confidence, self-expression, focus and social skills, while they have fun and make lots of new friends. This is a gift that will create memories to last a lifetime!

To find out more about giving Jigsaw as a gift, get in touch with your nearest Jigsaw, using the search on our home page to find your nearest school.

Jigsaw Performing Arts is dedicated to developing performance skills, promoting self-expression and building confidence. We offer performing arts classes for children aged between 3 – 18. Find your nearest school by entering your postcode into the search on our home page. 

Family films and Christmas film season has definitively begun with – what else? – London-set festive rom-com Last Christmas, currently in cinemas, and highly-anticipated Disney sequel Frozen II out next! We thought it was about time to continue one of our Christmas traditions, and bring you our list of the best family films to watch this season!

Remember to check ratings and parental guidance at the BBFC website to make sure it’s suitable for your family.

 

Les Misérables: The Staged Concert – live in cinemas 2nd December, encore 7th & 8th

“I dreamed a dream in times gone by…” This might run too late on a Monday night for the younger ones (it is epic in length!). But this live broadcast of the staged concert version of Les Mis will be great fun for those who can’t make it to see it in person.

From one of the longest-running, most successful musicals of all time, this concert performance features an all-star cast, including Michael Ball, Alfie Boe, Carrie Hope Fletcher, Matt Lucas and John Owen Jones. Find out where it’s screening near you here.

 

Jumanji: The Next Level – 13th December

Who would have expected an updating of the Robin Williams board-game-come-to-life original, a staple on VHS, would have felt so fresh and fun? Well, the first (or rather, second) Jumanji was a runaway hit, so prepare yourself for ‘the next level’! All the cast return from the previous installment, with the addition of Danny DeVito!

 

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker – 19th December 

A.k.a. Episode Nine. Plot details have been kept under wraps, but this promises to be the conclusion not only to the current trilogy but the entire ‘Skywalker saga’ that began with A New Hope in 1977. Will Finn, Poe and Rey finally defeat the First Order? Is the evil Emperor Palpatine actually back?

Star Wars used to be a staple of the summer, but the new trilogy has become quite the Family films tradition, with all three releasing in December!

 

Cats – 20th December

Hot on the heels of Star Wars is Tom Hooper’s (the film of Les Misérables) star-studded adaptation of Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s musical. The cats themselves, a blend of real performers and computer graphics, look a little… strange… but that’s perhaps in keeping with the offbeat visual style of the show, which was a very unlikely mega-hit on the West End and Broadway back in the ’80s.

The cast is a proper transatlantic affair. Here’s just a smattering of names:

• Judi Dench
• Ian McKellen
• Idris Elba
• James Corden
• Jennifer Hudson
• Jason Derulo
• Rebel Wilson
• Ray Winstone

Taylor Swift collaborated with Lloyd-Webber himself on a new song. But we’re also very excited to see Andy Blankenbuehler’s choreography (of Hamilton fame!). Bringing the dance pedigree are Francesca Hayward & Steven McRae (principal dancers at the Royal Ballet) and French hip-hop dancers (and identical twins) ‘Les Twins’.

 

Playing with Fire – 26th December

Ah, Boxing Day. A day of rest – and leftovers! What better way to spend the afternoon or evening than watching John Cena play a tough fire-fighter faced with his biggest challenge to date… taking care of three unruly children!

Word on this film has been mixed, but Cena has proven his talent for comedy, and his wrestling background is perfect for this kind of silly slapstick.

 

Don’t fancy leaving the house?

Catch up with our Christmas film recommendations from last year, which will now be available to view at home!

 

Or our favourite films about Christmas:

 

And if the acting, singing and dancing in any of these films inspire your children, Jigsaw Performing Arts Schools offer dance, singing and drama classes for 3-18-year-olds that make for a perfect Christmas present! Booking is open for Spring term. Find your nearest school by entering your postcode into the search on our home page. To enquire or to book your child’s place please call our friendly Head Office team on 020 8447 4530 or email enquiries@jigsaw-arts.co.uk for more information.

Certificates and Congratulations

At Jigsaw Arts we love to celebrate the achievements of all our students, and what better way than with certificates, medals and trophies? Annabel received her first certificate for 1 year at Jigsaw’s 3-4s class’s show this weekend and she looks over the moon.

Across the whole of Jigsaw Stevenage it’s show term, and that means costumes on, props at the ready and the excitement of performing on the stage under the lights!

Annabel’s mummy has this lovely comment to say about show term, “Annabel was telling a complete stranger outside Sainsbury’s all about her show today and the Wizard of Oz – she was full of it and brimming with excitement!” So were we!

We are so proud of all our students over the last two weeks who performed from our Performing Arts classes for 3-4s and 5-6s. Their costumes were wonderful, they performed with confidence and got the round of applause all their hard work deserved.

Well done everyone!

Jigsaw Stevenage runs on Saturday mornings. To enquire or to book your child’s place please contact Polly on 01438 518336 or email st*******@ji*********.uk. Visit Jigsaw Stevenage for more information.

We are so proud to announce that our incredible Jigsaw Bushey student Caelan is currently appearing in the UK tour of “School of Rock The Musical”.

Based on the hilarious hit movie, this new musical follows Dewey Finn, a failed, wannabe rock star who decides to earn a few extra bucks by posing as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. There he turns a class of straight-A students into a guitar-shredding, bass-slapping, mind-blowing rock band – sensationally performed live by the production’s young actors every night with roof-raising energy!

We caught up with Caelan to hear all about his experience so far in the band!

 

What was the audition process like? 

To begin with I was asked to film some self tapes in the first rounds from home due to lockdown. This was more challenging as I had to get good lighting and make sure everyone at home was quiet (which wasn’t easy with two younger siblings!). After this I was invited for a face to face audition which I was very nervous for but I also had a lot of fun and enjoyed throughout, I had to learn some songs from the show to perform and speak my lines with an American accent!

How did you feel when you heard you had been given the role?

When I heard that I had gained the part I felt shocked and extremely excited. It’s my favourite film and musical!

Tell us a little about your role?

I play the character of Mason. In the show School of Rock he is a bit of a nerdy kid who runs the lights and the tech for the show. 

What has been your favourite moment so far?

My favourite moment so far was getting a standing ovation in Wolverhampton from the audience at the end of our finale.  

How do you think Jigsaw has helped you?

Jigsaw has taught me the key skills I need for performing. They support me in all three disciplines and have encouraged me throughout. Without Katie and the Jigsaw Agency I wouldn’t have known about the auditions or been given the opportunity to apply. 

How do you balance performing with school and other activities?

Performing is one of the main things I enjoy doing however when I am not on tour I attend school each day with my friends and do extra curriculum activities such as football which is also another passion of mine. I also enjoy playing on my games consoles during my free time and seeing friends and family. 

What are your favourite musicals/plays and what would be your dream role in the future?

The School of rock is my favourite show which is why I am thrilled to be a part of the show. I also really enjoyed watching ‘Thriller’ for my birthday as I am a huge MJ fan and this was a real treat! My dream role to play one day would be Dewey Finn from the school of rock (although I need to learn how to play the guitar first).I love his character because he is fun, energetic and his lines include a lot of comedy which is something I really enjoy. 

What is it like working with a professional cast?

I have really enjoyed working with a professional cast and others who feel the same way I do about performing, I feel I have learnt a lot from everyone especially Chris the director who gives great advice and support to us all. The children I am working alongside are insanely talented some playing their own instruments throughout the entire show! 

Describe how it feels to perform on stage in three words?

Incredible, Electrifying, Amazing!

Anything else to tell us?

Being on tour has been an experience I will never forget. To have the opportunity to travel to different locations with different audiences is truly awesome. I feel like I have made life long friends amongst the cast and don’t want the experience to end! 

We are delighted that Caelan is loving every moment of this amazing experience at School of Roack! His Jigsaw Bushey Manager Katie and Emily from Jigsaw Arts Management can’t wait to see him rock the stage in Oxford!

 

We are delighted to share that Jigsaw is a finalist in the Children’s Services Category at the 2019 Best Franchise Awards, sponsored by Lloyds Bank!

Andy Hutchings, Jigsaw’s Director of Franchising, said, “I am delighted to be a finalist. It is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our managers. I am very proud of our team and the brilliant service they continue to provide to so many children. Congratulations to all the other finalists! We look forward to meeting with you all soon.”

Nicola Lander, Founder and Director of Jigsaw, said, “It is fantastic news for Jigsaw Performing Arts to be recognised as a finalist for the Best Franchise Awards. Well done to the Jigsaw franchise team and all of our super enthusiastic and hard-working franchisees who deliver top quality performing arts classes to children across England and Wales.”

Finalists announced in 2019 Best Franchise Awards

WorkBuzz announced the finalists on the 30th October, saying:

“What makes these awards so unique is the fact that they are based on feedback from thousands of real franchisees.

“To be considered, franchises must have taken part in the Franchise Satisfaction Benchmark programme. Franchisees are asked to complete a confidential online survey, rating their franchisor on qualities such as initial training, ongoing support, their relationship with the franchisor and whether they would recommend the franchise to a prospective franchisee. The top-performing franchises in the survey are then put forward as finalists in the Best Franchise Awards.”

Steven Frost, CEO of WorkBuzz, added:

“In 2019, we’ve seen a really diverse range of franchisors participate in the Best Franchise programme, with a record 24 first time entrants competing alongside established brands, which take
part in the awards every year. These finalists have already shown themselves to be among the very best in the country, according to their franchisees, so we would like to offer our congratulations to them.”

The winners will be announced during the annual Best Franchise Conference – an event that brings together the top franchisors from across the UK to network and share their experiences.

The Best Franchise Conference 2019 takes place on 28 November at the Marriott Hotel, Leicester. More information and tickets are available from www.bestfranchiseawards.co.uk

If you want to open your very own Jigsaw Performing Arts School, or it has been a lifelong dream to offer engaging performing arts classes for children, read more about our franchise opportunities or email fr*******@ji*********.uk for more information. 

Back to school! September’s almost here again and along with frosty mornings and expensive school shoes come a whole range of exciting possibilities and new beginnings…

The summer is a fantastic time for being a parent. When the British weather behaves, suddenly the possibilities are endless; paddling pools, playing in the park, boat trips, you name it, you can do it. As soon as you’ve slapped on the required 30 dollops of max strength sun block, there’s no stopping you enjoying the pleasures of the great outdoors, safe in the knowledge that your children are working off their excess energy and getting a chance to have a good old fashioned run around.

However, as Autumn rears its ugly head, with darker nights and colder days, we begin to wage the battle once more of keeping our children active and away from computer games and the telly.  But on a wet and miserable weekend, how do we keep our little ones entertained and fit?

Over the last 19 years, Jigsaw Performing Arts has provided a weekend activity for 3-18 year olds that offers a great way for children to exercise, develop poise and build physical strength. Children learn acting, singing and dance technique from teachers who work or have worked professionally in the industry.

There is so much to be gained from performing arts asides from learning the skills themselves. Not only do they develop your child’s creativity and confidence, performing arts classes also promote working as a team whilst encouraging and developing individual talent. The triumph of performing a rehearsed piece on stage encourages children to acknowledge their self worth, recognise their ability to overcome obstacles and value the belief that they can aim high in all that they do.

Whatever you wish for in terms of your child’s future, the one desire that unites us all is to produce a happy, healthy and confident child!

Jigsaw Performing Arts is dedicated to developing performance skills, promoting self-expression and building confidence. We offer performing arts classes for children aged between 3 – 18. Find your nearest school by entering your postcode into the search on our home page. 

Autumn Theatre Picks! With summer now a distant memory, the days are getting shorter and the nights are getting longer. So what better way to fill your evenings than with a trip to the theatre? Without further ado, from pantomimes to tragedies, musicals to comedies, here are our 2016 Autumn theatre picks …

If you’re looking for an exciting musical that ticks all of the right boxes, then look no further than The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre in the heart of London’s West End. With stunning choreography and a tremendous score, The Lion King has been wowing audiences all over the world since opening on Broadway in 1997.

For Pantomimes, the production company First Family Entertainment always offers a fantastic season of shows across the length and breadth of the UK, and Dick Whittington is set to open at the Milton Keynes Theatre in early December starring Britain’s Got Talent’s Kev Orkian and X Factor Finalist/I’m A Celebrity winner Stacey Solomon.

If drama is more what you’re looking for to while away the Autumnal evenings, the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of King Lear ought to be exactly what you need. Transferring to the Barbican on 15^th November, this production is directed by Gregory Doran and sees Anthony Sher taking centre stage in the title role of one of Shakespeare’s greatest plays.

If, on the other hand, a children’s show that’ll create plenty of laughter lines and heart-warming smiles is what you’re after, then why not take a look at this season’s schedule from Tall Stories. Featuring performances of The Snail and The Whale, The Gruffalo and other works inspired by the books of Julia Donaldson, Tall Stories are at the forefront of the children’s theatre scene in the UK.

With so much high-quality theatre to choose from across the country this December, there’s sure to be a show coming soon to a theatre near you. Book now to avoid disappointment.

Stay tuned to our website for regular arts-related blog articles, and you can follow us on Twitter @JigsawArts. Don’t forget to swing by and like us on Facebook too!