SHH! WE HAVE A PLAN
Based on the picture book by Chris Haughton
Created and Directed by Paul Bosco Mc Eneaney. Music by Garth McConaghie
Produced by Cahoots NI
From Belfast, Northern Ireland
About the Company
Resources
A nonverbal tale featuring magic, music, and puppetry based on the Chris Haughton book of the same name. Follow the delightful and surprising journey of a family adventuring through the woods - when they see a beautiful bird perched high in a tree, each of these three madcap characters have a plan to capture it!
Sounds simple, but the quest soon becomes an obsession and the obsession becomes the absurd! Where will it all end? Join us as the youngest teaches everyone that kindness and treating nature with respect is more important than getting what you want at any cost.
Prepare to be enchanted and amazed by this new and exciting theatrical adventure for young children!
Official Showcase Selection at IPAY 2017!
Cahoots NI is also touring in 2018-2019 with Danny Carmo's Mathematical Mysteries and Nivelli's War.
Past production: Egg and Lights, Camera, Math!
Best for Grades: PreK-3rd
Audience Size: Small to Medium Venues
Please contact us to watch a full length archival recording.
Interview with Director Paul Bosco Mc Eneaney
during the development process in 2015 (this was a different cast with 3 men at the time – the 2016 cast has been updated to feature 2 women and 1 man.)
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Company Background
Past Tours: Egg and Lights! Camera! Math!
Cahoots NI is at the forefront of Northern Irish theatre and is the leading professional theatre company producing work for children.
Since beginning operations in November 2001, Cahoots NI has produced original, boldly innovative work for children, some staged in conventional theatre venues and some in purpose-designed sites or specific locations, including schools and healthcare settings. Its work concentrates on combining the visual potential of theatre with the age-old popularity of magic and illusion.
For more information, please visit the company’s website: http://www.cahootsni.com
Artistic Team
Based on the picture book by Chris Haughton
Created and Directed by Paul Bosco Mc Eneaney
Music by Garth McConaghie
Touring Cast: TBA
Critical Acclaim
…a delicate enchanting environment that entices children in the audience – young and old – to suspend their disbelief…
“Both children and adult audience members were laughing throughout and obviously found it thoroughly entertaining…For a young audience, this story, comprised of magic, music and puppetry is a mesmerising theatre experience.”
Audience Feedback
The 3 boys were transfixed for the full 45 min of the magical show Shhh! We Have a Plan
via Twitter, 18 October 2015, Lyric Theatre Belfast
Was absolutely spellbound by the fantastic production by Cahoots NI
Tweet by Chris Haughton, author/illustrator of ‘Shh! We Have a Plan”
via Twitter, 16 October, Lyric Theatre Belfast
I have just returned from seeing Shh! We Have a Plan in Newry with my four year old niece and it was a visual masterpiece. An absolute joy to witness, you’ve outdone yourselves! Such a wonderful introduction for kids to theatre and the arts, we will definitely attend future productions
Posted on Facebook page, one of 3 reviews (all 5 star), 10 October 2015
Very enjoyable, great energy, well produced, really speaks to adults and children.
Visually amazing. Great Story, great message.
Creative, colourful and fun!
Audience Comment Cards
Gallery of Past Productions
Curriculum Connections
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Fine Arts: Physical Theatre, Magic & Illusion, Puppetry, Soundscapes & Sound design
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Science: Birds, Habitats and Environments, Environmental Responsibility
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Social Development/Community Values: Problem Solving, Teamwork, Empathy
Minimum Technical Requirements
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Load In Time: 4 hours
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Crew Needs: A crew of at least 4 (2 Cahoots NI) & additional Crew, with a designated supervisor present at all times
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Min. Stage Size: Ideally a black box with 27’ x 27’ flat floor space with overhead clearance of 16’.
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Sound Needs: All sound is on Mac QLab with 8 x 800w speakers + sub for surround sound effect- more info in our technical rider.
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Load Out Time: 1 -2 hours
Outreach and Workshops
Shh! We Have a...Workshop
This interactive workshop gives participants an introduction to the unique physical theatre style of Cahoots NI. The one hour session is movement based and designed to encourage fun, play and creativity while exploring how a story can be told using music, physical theatre and a little magic!
Workshop Facilitator: Hugh W Brown
Hugh W Brown lives around half the year in Belfast, Northern Ireland and the rest in Kompong Som, Cambodia. He is an Actor with 20 years of experience, specializing in Theatre, Circus, Music and Clown.
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Age: 6+
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Duration: 1 hr
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Maximum number of participants: 15
“Relaxed” or “Sensory Friendly” Performances
This performance is also available as a “sensory friendly” or “relaxed” performance if arranged with the company in advance and with specific direction as to what adjustments are necessary for your venue.