Theatre is child's play with Claytime

4:38pm Tuesday 2nd September 2008

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Inspired by children's actual play, Claytime is the ultimate in interactive theatre for kids. The show, devised by Indefinite Articles, was born when co-creator Sally Brown was working as a resident artist in a Cambridge nursery and noticed the children more often made up stories than objects when they worked with clay.

"We thought there might be a theatrical development in that," said Indefinite Articles' Steve Tiplady.

Using 15 kilos of clay, Claytime's performers (Steve and Sally) invite the young audience to suggest something to make, then a story (again with interaction from the children) is devised and finally performed back and then the children are invited to come on stage and play.

"I've worked as a director and a performer but somehow this is the most rewarding experience I've had," said Steve.

"It's seeing how children react to the story and discover the clay for themselves. We often get one or two children who don't want to go home. It's the most engaged I've ever seen an audience."

Claytime at Croydon Clocktower, Sep 6 2pm to 3pm.