Barrowland Ballet is pleased to announce the arrival of a new tiger into the fold… Playful Tiger will be joining Tiger and Tiger Tale on tour in September – October this year.

In collaboration with Ellie Griffiths, Playful Tiger has been made specifically for children and young people who are profoundly autistic, mainly non-verbal although they may use language in an echoing or associative way or by vocalising. Other means of communication that they may rely upon include the use body language, symbols and signs.

Playful Tiger (7+) is for children and young people who are profoundly autistic and mainly non-verbal. The capacity for the show is 6 to 8 young people with their families and carers. It tells the story of the tiger’s visit to the rigid family home through the eyes of the child, with a focus on sensory engagement.  Playfulness within the work creates space for a two-way response between audience and performers.

Barrowland Ballet is delighted to announce that Playful Tiger has been awarded funding from Paul Hamlyn Foundation for this new piece of work with children and young people who are profoundly autistic, in order to explore how improvisation and sensory approaches can provide an artistic collaboration with this audience. The work will develop methods of devising work informed by the children’s own impulses and responses as well as the artists’ observations.

This funding is also supporting the Barrowland Ballet and Ellie Griffiths team to research and develop the most effective approaches to training and supporting venues to welcome and engage children and young people who are profoundly autistic and mainly non-verbal and their families.

Tiger Tale (7+) A troubled family’s world turns upside down when a tiger visits. It’s chaotic, it’s dangerous but brilliantly fun. With captivating dancers and live music, enjoy the thrill of sitting right up close to the action with the chance to explore the set at the end.

Tiger (adults and young people 14+) When a tiger invades, a troubled family’s world is launched into chaos. This insightful story of family relationships is emotionally charged but brilliantly comic. The thrilling dancing, evocative live music and impressive set unleashes the tiger in exciting and unexpected ways.