FRAN MOULDS

THEATRE MAKER

Education


Fran Moulds in Punchdrunk Enrichment's The Lost Lending Library.

Fran Moulds has been creating immersive theatrical experiences for young people for over 15 years.

Fran is interested in creating space where anything becomes possible. Whether devising a learning adventure for children, or running physical theatre workshops with teenagers, she is primarily concerned with the world of the imagination - guiding people into rich, unknown territories.

Her approach is playful and inclusive, with a firm belief that every person has their own unique creative voice. Fran works to inspire young people, empowering them to know and express themselves.

Some of the education projects that Fran has co-created can be found below.

The Lost Lending Library

Co-writer and Performer | Punchdrunk Enrichment

Fran Moulds playing Peabody in The Lost Lending Library © Punchdrunk Enrichment
Fran Moulds as Peabody, in The Lost Lending Library © Punchdrunk Enrichment

“The Lost Lending Library has been an amazing experience for the children and a fantastic writing stimulus” Headteacher, 2014

An interest in books leads a local librarian to a primary school, where they discuss literature and favourite books and stories. The discovery of a strange mysterious locked book and a shared love of the book ‘How to Live Forever’ by Colin Thompson leads to the mysterious arrival of the Lost Lending Library.

800 floors high and containing every book and story in the world, the library jumps from place to place and arrives where it knows it can meet great storywriters.

Pupils at the school are guided through the library by the guardian ‘Peabody’ and are inspired to write their own stories.

 

 About Punchdrunk Enrichment

In 2008, Punchdrunk began a groundbreaking experiment in reaching out to children, young people and the wider community with activities that focus on the innate creativity and imagination of the individual. Fran has been working with Punchdrunk Enrichment since 2009.

punchdrunk.org.uk/enrichment

The House Where Winter Lives

Co-writer and Performer (Mrs Winter) | Punchdrunk Enrichment

winter800
Fran Moulds and Matthew Blake in The House Where Winter Lives © Punchdrunk

The House Where Winter Lives is an immersive storytelling adventure for children aged three to six years old.

Mr and Mrs Winter invite children to join them in their warm and welcoming cottage, as they are preparing for a winter feast. Unfortunately they’ve mislaid the key to their larder! The children join them on their journey through a secret forest to find the missing key.

From November 2012 to January 2013, Punchdrunk Enrichment transformed The Discover Children’s Story Centre in Stratford, East London, into a magical frozen forest where children and their families could explore the wonder of winter. The show had a sold out run at the Perth International Festival in February 2014.

“This stunning little show is a magical achievement” The Times

“This production…leaves you totally delighted.” ☆☆☆☆ The Guardian

“The coolest kids show in town.” ☆☆☆☆ Time Out

“Sweet and almost poignantly old-fashioned…This show is definitely recommended.” ☆☆☆☆ The Telegraph

Commissioned by Discover Children’s Story Centre, Stratford, East London. Funded by Arts Council England and Esmee Fairbairn Foundation.

About Punchdrunk Enrichment

In 2008, Punchdrunk began a groundbreaking experiment in reaching out to children, young people and the wider community with activities that focus on the innate creativity and imagination of the individual. Fran has been working with Punchdrunk Enrichment since 2009.

punchdrunk.org.uk/enrichment

Arabian Nights

Writer and lead facilitator | Adventures in Learning

The book Arabian Nights
© Coney

A magical project that casts Birmingham’s children as heroes in a quest to find the genie’s lost story and bring their own tales of Arabian Nights to life. Presented by Coney, Library of Birmingham and Birmingham Rep.

Arabian Nights aims to engage Year 3 – Year 5 pupils in an interactive narrative adventure that will develop their creative writing skills, increase digital literacy and empower them as artists. Taking place over 4 weeks, it uses live performance, email, storytelling and involve pupils creating work alongside professional artists.

“I was definitely enthusiastic and I felt that I was being led on the journey too. I was just as excited as the children when we received emails! Watching the children in the Rep was great! Many of the children were whispering to their friend and saying, that’s my part, I wrote that! They were very proud of themselves!”
Katie (teacher), Nansen Primary School

On a day like any other, the class begin to watch an unusually boring video on the history of concrete when a technical fault occurs- the screen pixelates and the face of a Genie appears, asking the pupils for help: once a major character in Arabian Nights, he has disappeared from modern versions and his very existence is at risk.

Speaking to the class via emails and video messages, the genie helps them discover the stories of Arabian Nights and embark on a journey to Library of Birmingham to discover the magical secret room where the ancient book was lost… Discovering that the pages have crumbled to dust, the children must create new stories about the genie, complete the book in their classroom and return it to the Library so the stories can be shared. With a sprinkle of magic, the genie thanks the class by having their stories performed by professional actors on stage at the REP theatre.

Adventures in Learning

Adventures in Learning are interactive stories that take place in the classroom to motivate formal learning. They’re made with all the attention to detail and artistic values that characterises Coney’s work for adults, but are constructed in close collaboration with teachers to create an engaging narrative framework within which learning can be delivered.

Fran has been working with Coney since 2009. She is a regular contributor to Coney’s Adventures in Learning, having worked on projects including Arabian Nights, Inspiration Days, A Cat Escapes, and Rhyme Rocket.

coneyhq.org/learning-participation

Inspiration Days

Performer and supporting writer | Adventures in Learning

From Greek Gods who have been evicted from Olympus to explorers with no sense of direction, primary classes face an unusual day at school when strange characters burst into the classroom with a big problem that only pupils can fix. A world of possibilities open up when fossils are discovered beneath the playground, a lady with a mysterious suitcase needs help unlocking the contents and Zeus strides into the school hall.

“The workshops that were tailor-made to fit our topics were both engaging and exciting for the children and adults! Coney made learning come to life and inspired every child…” 
Jehan Morbi, Assistant Head at St Eugene de Mazenod Primary School, London

Adventures in Learning

Adventures in Learning are interactive stories that take place in the classroom to motivate formal learning. They’re made with all the attention to detail and artistic values that characterises Coney’s work for adults, but are constructed in close collaboration with teachers to create an engaging narrative framework within which learning can be delivered.

Fran has been working with Coney since 2009. She is a regular contributor to Coney’s Adventures in Learning, having worked on projects including Arabian Nights, Inspiration Days, A Cat Escapes, and Rhyme Rocket.

coneyhq.org/learning-participation

A Cat Escapes

Performer and facilitator | Adventures in Learning

A Cat Escapes © Coney

“The most exciting and motivating project I’ve done in 22 years of teaching.”

Claire Lound, participating teacher at Furzedown Primary School

Jasmine the kitten has been cat-napped, and Varjak Paw himself contacts the class to ask for their urgent help.

Alone in a small room, Jasmine learns to type, and communicates with the pupils by email. Over six interactive episodes the class must work together to help Jasmine escape and find her way back to Varjak. A final twist in the narrative brings two live performers to the class to deliver a dramatic finale.

How can Jasmine design a structure that will allow her to see out of the window? What is the terrifying black ghost that follows her around? Can pupils distract the cat-nappers for long enough to allow Jasmine to escape?

 

Linking closely to the Key Stage 2 curriculum, A Cat Escapes is Coney’s flagship Adventure in Learning and has been enjoyed by more than 1,500 primary school pupils across the UK.

Based on the award-winning Varjak Paw novels by S. F. Said, the adventure casts pupils as heroes in an engrossing, responsive narrative that motivates them to learn.

Adventures in Learning

Adventures in Learning are interactive stories that take place in the classroom to motivate formal learning. They’re made with all the attention to detail and artistic values that characterises Coney’s work for adults, but are constructed in close collaboration with teachers to create an engaging narrative framework within which learning can be delivered.

Fran is a regular contributor to Adventures in Learning, having worked on projects including Arabian Nights, Inspiration Days, A Cat Escapes, and Rhyme Rocket.

coneyhq.org/learning-participation

Activities

Directing
Writing
Performing

Collaborators

Coney Ga Ga Theatre Kit Theatre Punchdrunk Union Chapel