School: Daliburgh school, Lochboisdale, South Uist, pupil roll 129, ages involved P1-7, headteacher Thomas Rankin.
What was the best arts company to visit your school in the past year?
The Lenten Puppet Theatre from Skipton in Yorkshire.
How did you hear about them? This was their fourth visit to us.
What did they do?
A puppet drama called The Lost Trolls, set in the Yorkshire coal mines. They put up their own stage and special effects. After the one hour performance they did a workshop, showing the children the tricks of the trade and how to work the puppets.
Did you do any preparation? No.
Any follow-up work?
Yes. The workshop, and then the children discussed how the puppets worked.
What did the visit cost?
pound;100 for our school, but we had the children from Stonybridge and Eriskay schools here too.
Who paid?
The school fund, but the visit was subsidised by the local authority.
What was so good about the visit?
They were first class - that’s why we’ve had them so often. They are a young couple, Daniel and Elizabeth Lenten. The whole thing is so thoroughly professional, and their ability to engage the children is excellent.
How relevant was it to the curriculum?
It’s mainly to entertain the children, but it relates to drama and different ways of telling stories.
Contact Daniel and Elizabeth Lenten, tel: 01756 797149
