Services for Schools
Hallé schools' concert 2025
Now Hear This! is a fun-packed, fast-paced introduction to classical music and the instruments of t…
Working with The Spark Arts for Children, and supported using public funding through Arts Council England, Inspire brings some of the best performers and theatre companies into libraries to perform for school groups.
Previous Productions - Boxville: A Cardboard Adventures Production
In February 2025 Boxville, a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) skilled, hands on, interactive, time travel adventure, came to Hucknall, Worksop and Mansfield Libraries.
We helped the Boxville engineers gather the materials they need to help save BOXVILLE!
Children from schools in Hucknall, Mansfield and Worksop worked with the Boxville engineers to craft-a-long with the story and build their own way through the tasks and trials of Boxville, earning everything they needed to become a fully fledged cardboard engineer!
They met paper dragons, corrugated crabs and cardboard space robots in this STEM skilled, hands on, interactive, cardboard adventure!
Show Information
Age suitability: Years 1 - 3
Running time: 60 Minutes
Capacity: 60 children per show
Key themes: STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) skills - engineering, design, construction.
Performances
| Date | Library | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday 26 February 2025 | Hucknall Library | 10.30am FULLY BOOKED |
| Hucknall Library | 1.30pm FULLY BOOKED | |
| Thursday 27 February 2025 | Worksop Library | 10.30am FULLY BOOKED |
| Worksop Library | 1.30pm FULLY BOOKED | |
| Friday 28 February 2025 | Mansfield Central Library | 10.30am |
| Mansfield Central Library | 1.30pm FULLY BOOKED |
Cost: £90 per class - equating to £3 per child, based on a class size of 30
This is a discounted rate made possible by Inspire Libraries' Arts Council England funding to support local children to have the opportunity to experience theatre at their local library
Booking Information
Our Boxville productions in Libraries have now finished.
To find out more about our performances for schools, contact:
About the show
- Boxville is a STEM skilled, hands on, craft-a-long adventure in which all children are invited to build their own cardboard creations to use in the story.
- All cardboard creations can be taken away at the end of the show.
- The show is structured around 'engineering training' and the characters are all named after famous scientists.
- Boxville is playful and interactive storytelling - children are invited to interact with the performers and take part in the action using their cardboard creations.
- The show uses sustainable cardboard design and features a selection of beautifully crafted puppets including a dragon and a robot.
Boxville is a simple yet effective concept, combining an imaginative performance with a high level of audience involvement.
About the company
Cardboard Adventures was established by theatre and puppetry designer/maker and cardboard enthusiast, Sam Wilde. It aims to help children make sustainable cardboard creations and to introduce them to the magnificent world of cardboard crafting and making their own adventures.
Inspire works with our partners to ensure we present quality performances from theatre companies around the UK, bringing arts and culture to your local library and providing a memorable experience for your pupils.
- Performances take place either in the children's library or a separate meeting space. Creating a friendly and relaxed atmosphere for children and school staff.
- Children will generally sit on the floor, with chairs available for adults.
- We ask that groups arrive ready to be seated around 10 minutes before the performance start time to ensure everyone is settled for a prompt start.
- We are flexible to the needs of individual pupils, there will always be space for a child to move away from the show, if for any reason they need a break from the action and we'll discuss any access needs for pupils and staff during the booking process.
- Library staff will always be on hand throughout the visit to welcome classes and answer questions.
Once we know you would like to book classes from your school to see a performance. We'll send a booking form to confirm the booking, numbers attending and the process for payment.
The booking form also outlines the responsibilities of each party. As follows;
The School’s Responsibilities
The School shall:
- Make appropriate arrangements to transport the children to the performance venue in good time for the start of the performance.
- Provide staff to supervise the children during performances.
- Obtain from the organiser any information required for a risk assessment.
- Both parties shall maintain public and employer’s liability cover in respect of its activities and staff.
- Arrange payment for the performance - to be received no later than 2 weeks before the event.
The Library Service Responsibilities
The Library Service shall:
- Undertake contractual arrangements with the Visiting Company to present the production in association with our partners.
- Pay all fees, accommodation and travel expenses for the Visiting Company.
- Liaise with the venue over licensing and Health & Safety procedures.
- Both parties shall maintain public and employer’s liability cover in respect of its activities and staff.
- Provide information requested by schools in a timely manner.
