3rd August 2023
Extending the concept of recycling, and phasing out plastic, this project shows how to turn old cardboard boxes into toy theatres with just scissors, sellotape, colour paper, wooden sticks … and imagination.
The subject was King Arthur, and my manager printed out some great colour pictures.
An introduction to the King Arthur story, myth or legend may be accessed here: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2022/04/20/young-teens-king-arthur-the-sword-in-the-stone/
Without further ado, let’s build some theatres.
The first theatre was made from a large box, and I just cut out a central square and a side panel. I found some old yellow material in my house, so the students could make curtains or a backdrop.
The middle theatre is my first attempt (I am hopeless at art and crafts, as you can see). The box was not ideal, being oblong, so the theatre is tall and thin, but it at least gives an idea how an old box can be transformed.
Now, this is how I turned an old electric toothbrush box into a palace of dreams and fantasy.
{many instructional videos can be found on YouTube}
First, I flattened the box, and cut away the flaps. Then I made a stage by folding and taping down the front panel.
The side panels form the frames for the sides and roof.
Next, decorate with paper. I used adverts from a free newspaper with large areas of bright colour. I selected a picture for a backdrop, an impression of Arthur’s Camelot.
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Finally, just cover all remaining areas with paper. Cut out the characters and attach them to wooden sticks.
Our Summer Class, working in teams, produced these dioramas of drama:
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Thay Paul's Notes 