Why the Whales Came – Audience Feedback – Family Arts Festival October 2016

Nov 15, 2016

A sample of the comments that have been left for us in our Feedback Book whilst on tour during Get Creative Family Arts Festival 2016

CONNAUGHT THEATRE  WORTHING
Saturday 1st October 2016:

‘It was fantastic’

‘Absolutely amazing. I’d love to see it again!’

‘Wonderful! Beautifully presented. Lots of surprises under the crates of wood and boxes. The narrator was amazing! Well done!!’

‘Captivating. Also loved the stage set and special effects’

‘Beautiful set. Important messages. Perfect for the family – good length and engaging. Thank you!’

‘Really fantastic storytelling, very atmospheric and set was awesome’. 

‘Excellent set and impressive acting. Brilliantly done and we all enjoyed it. Thank you’

‘We love you Danyah, thank you so much! Looking forward to seeing you again, I’m sure my nearly 7 year old is inspired xx’

‘Wow – what a fabulous performance – you are mesmerising thank you!’

‘Absolutely Brilliant’

‘Best thing I’ve ever seen at the theatre’

‘I thought it was a bit slow at first and was worried it might be too difficult for me but then it just got amazing. I loved it’

EM FORSTER THEATRE – TONBRIDGE
2nd October 2016

‘Lovely storytelling’

‘The kids saw you in London too! They loved it – thank you’

‘Danyah totally captivated her young audience in this beautiful and magical show’

JERSEY OPERA HOUSE
4th October 2016

‘Superb! Really brought the story to life. Thank you’  – S Le Feuvre. VCP

‘My favourite part of the story was all of the amazing voices for all of the characters’

‘I liked when Grace convinced everyone to save the whale and to not harm the Birdman’

‘My favourite part was when the islanders realised that they were wrong about the Birdman’

‘Could not choose a favourite part they were all phenomenal, loved it’  – Isla Woodley

‘Very moving. One of the best plays I have ever seen’

‘I loved the show. I wish I could see it again!’ Max Jacob (7 years)

‘It was excellent. Storytelling doesn’t happen anywhere near enough!’  Sarah (mum to Evie & Bella)

‘I felt the moral was very true and it was told beautifully. Some parts were mesmerising’
Isabella (aged 7)

LUTON LIBRARY THEATRE
7th October 2016

‘This was a great show. We have enjoyed every minute and second of it. Keep up the good work!’

‘Thank you very much for the wonderful show.’
From the Homeschoolers

‘Well done, you were amazing and we loved the show xxx’ Kenza Jerbi

‘This was a fantastic show, the storytelling amazing’ Jamie

‘Another wonderful production – beautifully heartwarming, brilliantly put together. Thank you.’
Keith

‘Seamless transition from narrator to character! Moving and poignant. Thank you!’ Simon

DORCHESTER ARTS CENTRE
9th October 2016

‘Awesome’ Trish

‘Brilliant performance and story. We’re hooked as a family’ Jeanette

‘Fantastic! Both boys loved it, as did I’ Jane, Oliver & William

‘Absolutely wonderful, so creative and energetic’ Katie, Anne, Daniel & Michelle

‘Wonderful performance, really made the story come alive. We both loved it’
Claire (aged 42) & George (aged 7)

MERCHANT TAYLOR SCHOOL (Family Performance)
11th October 2016

‘Very moving’ The Wards

‘ The best show ever!’ Anyone Sodha (10 years)

‘Great use of props and flow of show was great. Good luck

‘It was the best production I’ve seen in a long time. I want to watch it again and again….’

‘It was an amazing performance. I enjoyed it very much’

‘Interesting but kinda scary. I like it. I love the set’

‘Thank you for allowing us to be part of something so beautiful and special. Best of luck with the tour’

QUARTERHOUSE FOLKESTONE
15th October 2016

‘Why the Whales Came was truly brilliant. So well told and magical. Thank you, thank you thank you’ Cally & Daisy

‘Mesmerising, enchanting’

‘The set was amazing’ Manie (7 years)

‘Another moving and magical story presented in a amazingly creative form. I particularly enjoyed the projections and the storm sequences. Thank you’ Diana Richardson

THEATRE ROYAL MARGATE
16th October 2016

‘Absolutely Brilliant – very well done’

‘Wondrous storytelling – 2 happy children and 2 adults too’

‘Touched me (nothing much can like this) excellent’

‘Beautiful story engagingly told, thank you;

‘The show was really good. I really like the myth about the Birdman’

‘A magical show. Helped children and adults to feel more than think. Thank you with all my heart’

Harry ‘I loved it’

LEIGHTON BUZZARD THEATRE

22nd October 2016

‘Awesome show. Incredible. Great job. Made me cry’ Rita

‘Amazing’ Amelia

‘Fantastic performance we all really enjoyed it’  Fiona, Ben and Toby Campbell

‘I really enjoyed the performance – very well performed – nearly made me cry’  Isabel

‘super story-telling and a stage of surprises and delights’ Judy & Sophie Ewart

‘Excellent – very atmospheric – The set was great, the girls (7 years old) loved the water’

‘The whole family was absorbed in the story. The combination of expert storytelling and magical, ingenious set was superb ab the video and sound design were wonderful. Thank you’ The Martin Gang

‘Beautifully performed by a very talented lady, bringing Morpurgo’s lovely story to life. Magical!
Ben Green & family

CHURCHILL THEATRE BROMLEY
23rd & 24th October

‘Fantastic production, the story was really brought to life, the children were enthralled. Thank you’’

‘Highly original and beautifully told. A real treat’

‘I loved the storyteller and how you remembered every step. Plus the voices too!’

‘A fascinating experience – thank you!

‘Danyah’s skill at story-telling is amazing. Like an emotional rollercoasterI was moved to tears. Fantastic’

‘Well done very much! I really loved it, great voices and incredible scenes’ Luke Tiarney

‘Absolutely mesmerising! Enthralled children, silent with absorbance of every word. Well done. Thank you so much for teaching children without all the jazz that simple drama and a great set and a talented actress are all that’s needed’ Tina & Hannah (aged 8)

‘Too good to be that cheap * * * * * ‘ by Fineon

‘Mesmerising and enchanting.’

‘I would rate the show 100/100 because it was emotional and funny’ From Lucas and Eve (aged 8)

‘Show was brilliant, brought the show to life visually and orally. The sign language very good idea as helps children listen/take it in more as my children understand sign language’

‘I was completely spellbound! What a storyteller! What a show! A must see’ Starking

‘Danyah Miller is mesmerising! The story is a fantastic work of literature and comes alive through the stunning performance. I really enjoyed my journey to Samson Island’

‘Rate 5 Star’

‘Deeply moving, spiritual story, amazingly and skilfully executed. I’ve never encountered such a brilliant communicator who used her whole self and the set to tell the story’  Christine Latham

LIGHTHOUSE – POOLE
25th & 26th October

‘Fab story, very moving. Danyah was brilliant. The whole family really enjoyed it. Many thanks’

‘Thank you very much. An amazing show – wonderful performance and moving storytelling. Fabulous’ Ruth Hodges & family

‘It was so interesting and fun anyone could enjoy it any age’

‘I loved it’  T.W. (70 years)

‘It was absolutely enchanting. Beautifully told and the gestures and movements plus the myriad of props helped to tell the tale. Thank you’

‘A beautiful story – I miss having stories read to me – so this was a real privalidge (sic)’ Anita

‘One of the best shows I have ever seen. Thank you’

‘Wow! Amazing’

‘A beautiful book, beautifully performed! Simply stunning.
‘lovely, lovely, lovely, lovely, lovely, lovely, amazing great fantastic EPIC!’
‘Superb’
‘It was outstanding’
‘Great show!’
Tilly, Claudia, Lola, Millie, Savano & Daisy

‘I love it’ love Jemima and Benny (the toy dog)

‘Thank you very much, we really enjoyed it and got completely lost in the story’

‘Breathtaking! Reduced me to tears xx’

‘Brilliant set! Great accent! Fantastically told !!

‘Very imaginative – even 4 boys 9-11 enjoyed it!  Mr Steel Cook

‘It was amazing how everything was set up. And thank you for the performance we could have herd (sic) a pin drop, you made everyone listen because of the way you told us the story’ 

‘Wonderful afternoon – to be told a story with such continuous expression and interest was a real treat. Magnificent storytelling bring the children’s imaginations to life!’

STORYSTOCKS at LYRIC HAMMESMITH
27th October 2016

We thought it was fantastic’ Laura

‘I actually thought it was going to be rubbish – But intact it was Brilliant, Excellent! I will spread the word’ Amara (St Stephens CofE Sch)

‘Thank you for a great story – you are incredible’ Ashton Jenkins (6 years old)

‘Amazing had a great time’ Philip Strauss (10 years old)

‘I came to see Unicorn one and it was super. I like the way you say things and you make it seem alive.’ Hannah (child)

‘I liked the sound effect of the storm. I loved your voice and the different accents’ Zoe

‘Thank you – it was such a pleasure to be swept along by the story. I love the way you use the stage and props so creatively. Fantastic’

ANVIL ARTS – BASINGSTOKE
29th October 2016

‘Excellent storytelling’ Anne Murrill

‘Brilliant sets and storytelling’

‘It was really good. I like how the setting transformed. It was one of my best shows’
‘I loved the storytelling, the wonderful set, the creativity and the emotionality. Thank you

‘Captivating, we loved it!

BREWHOUSE – TAUNTON
30th October 2016

Amazing beautiful and so moving. You are incredible. The set was ingenious and your delivery touched my soul. Congratulations on your wonderful gift.

‘An absolutely incredible production. Extraordinarily moving. I am 81yrs and left with tears in my eyes’ Anne

‘Danyah – you completely moved me and brought tears to my eyes. I am blown away by you. Thank you.’ Damon (age 48 and a half)

‘Wonderful story, so well told, we were enthralled. Amazing Danyah’ Sue & Brian

‘Brilliant – very well done, we so enjoyed it’ Val, Sarah, Marie and Lottie

‘Mesmerizing and transported to another time and place. Thank you for the magical experience’
Barbara Darlington