Sara Mitra & Magic Box

Children will be transported on a magical musical journey by this new and original collaboration between professional jazz singer Sara Mitra and children's drama specialist Lottie Alle, featuring a 7-piece band and vocalist Kate Mullins (Puppini Sisters). Taking place at the beautiful Unitarian Church, these one-hour long shows involve plenty of interaction and fun for children aged five and under.

A Magical Musical Story Box is a newly devised music/theatre piece that engages children in a wonderful world of make-believe, song, percussion and physical movement. Showcasing the sounds of instruments from the world of jazz, A Magical Musical Story Box weaves improvisation, traditional song styles and the children’s compositions of musician Sara Mitra around the storytelling gifts of Lottie Allen. Children are invited to join in with our dashing anti-hero Captain Wonkynose and his pirate crew as they explore the seven seas, hunt for treasure, battle sea monsters and get into some marvellous adventures along the way. Get up, get moving, and get acting! ​

Lottie Allen (Magic Box) is a professional actor (Charlotte Purton) and children’s drama deviser. Lottie trained at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts and Hull University and has over twenty years of experience in performing for stage, radio, film and television.

After having two little girls of her own, she remembered how much she loves pretending. Pretending to be anything. And so she decided to share her pretendings and her making- ups with more little ones. And, hey presto... Magic Box

began! ​

This started as 'word-of-mouth' class held in Walthamstow, and due to its popularity with parents and children alike, Magic Box has now grown into a bespoke network of family-friendly events and children’s festival appearances across London. Magic Box sessions encourage pre-schoolers to jump into a story, led by Lottie, and use their imaginations to help her tell the story. Sessions are interactive, relaxed, free-flowing, fun for kids and carers alike – and there are always snacks at the end! 

Sara Mitra is a singer, songwriter and bandleader. She is also a mother to three young children with her husband, jazz drummer Tim Giles. Her music forges an original, alternative sound at the junction of folk, jazz and alternative blues. A Time Out ‘Critics Choice’ live act, Mitra has sung at the Vortex Jazz Club, Ronnie Scott’s, Glastonbury Festival, released two critically acclaimed albums on Impossible Ark Records, and featured on live sessions for BBC Maida Vale and FIP Radio Paris. Her music has been described as ‘some of my favourite British vocal jazz of recent times’ (Jamie Cullum, BBC Radio 2). 

Kate Mullins is probably best well-known for her work in 1940s inspired, chart topping  vocal harmony trio The Puppini Sisters founded 10 years ago with fellow Trinity students. They were signed to Universal & awarded a Gold Dic for the first of their 4 albums. The Puppinis have performed all over the world and as a soloist, Kate writes and collaborates on a number of projects and she is due to release a solo album of jazz standards and original songs with pianist Will Bartlett at the beginning of 2018.

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