‘Sing me to The Sea’
A hydropool adventure created by Anna Newell for children and young people with complex needs has been on tour to venues across Ireland this Summer. Created in 2018 in partnership with Enable Ireland and St Catherine’s School, funded by Wicklow County Arts Office with design funded by Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge 2019 tour funded by Arts Council of Ireland & presented in partnership with The Civic, Tallaght, The Mermaid, Bray, Draiocht Blanchardstown, St Michael’s House, Fingal County Council, St Gabriel’s Centre, Limerick Arts Office, Enable Ireland, Riverbank Arts Centre, Holy Angels Daycare & Carlow Arts Festival.
Thank you to all of the wonderful audiences and their families who attended. Here’s just some of the feedback:
“this was a truly magical experience for our pupils – they were transported to a land of enchanted mermaids and mesmerising rainbow fish; please come back again!”
“one of the nicest things I’ve ever done with my daughter”
“my child was incredibly relaxed, content and engaged”
“it was almost hypnotic, it was so relaxing”
“our pupils, parents & staff have so enjoyed the show…..we have learned so much too”
“a memory never to be forgotten”
“I’m sure you all noticed how much my daughter engaged with it! She was enthralled by you all. She loves music and water – so it was perfect for her to really relax and let go. I was very moved to be part of something so perfectly tailored to the needs of my little girl. This doesn’t happen very often. T has a very significant visual impairment and is registered as legally blind. She also has cerebral palsy, sensory issues and epilepsy. However, in that pool with your team – she was absolutely herself and free.”
“my son really took to it, he loved the strainer and watching himself in the mirror ball, he also began to imitate the performers’ actions, which is a new thing for him”
“very serene and relaxing”
“The singing was just beautiful and the whole show was perfectly pitched for its target audience”
“What an incredible experience! From the beautiful costumes to the out-of-this-world singing and all the props, S had the time of her life and was so excited by the ‘rain maker’ and seeing herself in the ball. We felt privileged to be part of it, what an experience! It’s simply perfect!”
“fantastic production…..beautiful, calming and amazing attention to the children”
“Fantastic, he loved it. It was also his first time in the swimming pool”
“Amazing experience, he has been feeling agitated recently and mom was amazed at how calm he became, an emotional experience for mom”
Photo by Neil Harrison. Further info about this work at www.annanewell.co.uk
