It’s been an exciting time at the Marrina Mouse’s Dancing House in Cowes throughout 2021.
Far from being hampered by lockdown, Belinda Phillips and her young students have used their time creatively, evolving from Marrina Mouse’s Dancing House last year into the very exciting Marrina Mouse Theatre House.
Belinda has a strong background in the performing arts, and opened her dancing school in Cowes in 2019.
Over the past 35 years Belinda has worked in all areas of theatre from performing through to back of house.
And it is her love of theatre and dance that is behind her evolving program.
While dance is still very important at the school, Belinda understands that dancing on the stage is not for everyone, and that all aspects of the theatre can be fun.
It is this aspect that she is incorporating into her evolving program.
Some children prefer costume creation and are becoming immersed in the company’s upcycling program and prop design. Others love music and choreography.
And storytelling as a base for their future productions has evolved in a very big way.
During lockdown, Belinda invited her students to invent their own characters.
They were asked to write a story for publication, with a view to then taking their stories from the “page to the stage” in a Marrina Mouse Theatre production.
So far, three students have completed stories, and their books, illustrated by Belinda, have been published and are available at Turn the Page.
More are on the way, says Belinda.
And the principle of “from the page to the stage” is now further evolving, as Belinda works with the children to weave their stories into a stage production.
Student Mia Bowtell has created the character Cottonbunny, a fashion designer with a vision of finding an inclusive land where she can showcase her work, and where dreams can be realised.
Fancy Fox is the creation of Sophie Bowen, who comes to life in a trilogy which she plans to launch in Paris next year, in French.
And Ella Baker’s character Peggy Peacock heads to Hollywood to become an actress, only to find that her heart actually belongs at home.
These delightful characters will now be animated by their creators, and brought to the stage through added layers of dance, costume, music and choreography.The children have all worked individually and independently, throughout the year, under Belinda’s guidance on Messenger.
And they love what they are doing, and can see the possibilities and opportunities that lie ahead for them.
Younger students were also kept busy creating characters during Covid, with Belinda dropping in “magic mail” to the home of each child, with lesson instructions for completion.
The children are currently fine tuning the elements of their characters, with their stories due to emerge next year.
The year ended for Marrina Mouse’s Dancing House with a coming together to showcase the student’s work at an evening at St Philip’s Hall when restrictions were lifted.
The hall was transformed into the Orient Express train station, with characters and guest stepping into an opulent world with the student’s characters written into a wonderful production.
2022 will start for Belinda with a name change to “Marrina Mouse Theatre House” and there is certainly an exciting program to look forward to.
Highlights will include a visit from Matt Bowtell, who will teach students about engineering and animatronics as they learn to animate the characters they have created.
Last year, Courtney Monsma (who plays Anna in Disneys Frozen) taught a class as part of Theatre Workshop classes.
And there will be more such moments in 2022.
“We have a great line up of industry leaders and performers to be part of this series,” Belinda says.
“The students can get a direct line of communication with these very talented people to have a chance to ask questions and to learn from.
“This will be great especially for the students we have who are more interested in this aspect of theatre than dancing.
“And it is important for the arts sector to develop these skills as well,” she comments.
“We can have our own theatre industry here. Kids get it. They are keen.
“They can create their own characters, write the script, and design the show, with my support for them to do this.”
Classes in 2022 we will be running from Monday to Thursday.
Check Instagram page @Marrinamousestheatrehouse for updates. timetables and information.
Some casual classes are available, but Belinda recommends attending on a passport key to allow the child to experience the full learning experience.
Classes on offer are: Ballet and Dance, Imagineering, Page to stage, Story Telling and character development, Costume Creation.
If you would like to book in your child, email Belinda-phillips@hotmail.com or at Marrinamousestheatrehouse@hotmail.com or phone Belinda on 0416 447 307.