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Sadler’s Wells Digital Stage presents Ballo Arthur Pita’s The Little Match Girl

For schools
Available to watch from 7 Oct 2024 – 31 Jan 2025

The cast of The Little Match Girl perform on stage. The Little Match Girl reaches out to the Donnarumma family in hopes of selling them some matches, they lean back in disgust.

We’re offering schools an exclusive opportunity to watch a stage production of The Little Match Girl from the comfort of your classroom!

Play trailer

A person dressed as an astronaut carries the little match girl who has her arms out and her legs up, on a purple background
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Play trailer
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On an icy night in a small Italian village under the glow of the moon, the little match girl balances on the shoulder of a lamp lighter. They both smile in amazement.
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Play trailer with audio description
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The production has been specially filmed for teachers and their students to enjoy and is now available — free to access — alongside a fantastic selection of resources and a downloadable teacher CPD pack. They have been tailored to suit key stage levels 1 and 2 and include:

  • 8 lesson plans, including dance, design & technology, history, literacy, art, SMSC and drama
  • PowerPoint presentations for each lesson
  • A video dance workshop
  • 4 designed and ready-to-print worksheets
  • A Teacher’s Fact File and design & technology templates

Pick and choose your lesson plans, or complete the full series, culminating in creative tasks helping your students to present their own end of term performance.

Register your school for instant access!

Sign up here to access the film, resource pack and CPD. 

About this production 

A snowy stage sets the scene for an icy cold Christmas eve, where the little match girl paces the emptying streets, desperately trying to sell her matches.

Along her journey she encounters kindness and cruelty in a fable about family, friendship and hope.

The traditional tale is brought to life with music, dance and some unusual instruments – look out for the theremin!

There’s also a cast of colourful characters, including the greedy Donnarumma family devouring their Christmas feast, a singing grandmother called Nonna Luna and even a dancing astronaut.

Based on Hans Christian Andersen’s classic story, this production was created for the stage and has been made into a delightful film for everyone to enjoy.

With a powerful message at its heart, The Little Match Girl reminds us of the importance of kindness and to consider those less fortunate than ourselves. ‘Tis the season of goodwill to all!
Buon Natale!

★★★★★  Magical. Wonderfully inventive and poignant.

THE OBSERVER

To access the film and the resource pack sign up here:

If you have any questions or would like to find out more, please get in touch with us via email learning@sadlerswells.com

Extras

Credits

Director & Choreographer – Arthur Pita
Performers – Corey Annand, Karl Fagerlund Brekke, Frank Moon, Faith Prendergast & Angelo Smimmo
Composer – Frank Moon
Set & Costume Designer – Yann Seabra
Associate Director – Valentina Golfieri
Lighting Designer – Ed Yetton
Relighter – Carly Hook
Production Manager – Mihaly Bekesi
Deputy Stage Manager – Carly Hook
Assistant Stage Manager – Roan Torrance
Executive Producer for Ballo Arthur Pita – Matthew Jones
Admin Producer for Ballo Arthur Pita – Roberta Spicer
Audio Description – Julia Grundy
Marketing & PR for Ballo Arthur Pita – Helen Snell

Originally commissioned by DanceEast
Supported using public funding by Arts Council England
This film adaptation is commissioned by Sadler’s Wells
Filmed and edited by TMAX Films