The Laal Collective are delighted to be taking Bear’s Big Sleep on tour thanks to funding from Cumberland Council’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The tour will take place to local schools early next year.
The story came from an idea by artist John Lake and was developed by our Stories from the Kitchen Table group supported by writer Dave Napthine.
Created for early years children, the show follows friends Bear, Rat and Fox as they wait for the arrival of Hibernation night and Bears new bed.
We are excited to share this vibrant, interactive story with the local community and hope you enjoy it as much as we have enjoyed creating it.
Original songs and music developed by Mark Newport and set and puppets created by our Stories from the Kitchen Table artists.
Hello and welcome to the website for The Laal Collective CIC.
We are an arts organisation based in Cumbria. ‘Laal’ which means little in the Cumbrian dialect, is committed to delivering high quality arts projects working in partnership with artists and participants.
Our philosophy and practice are that artists and partners work together as co-creators, regardless of age, ability, and experience. We believe passionately in the practice of supporting people to develop their creative ideas and to bring them into reality, working to the highest possible standard.
The Laal Collective CIC is a Registered Company (13115666) with not for profit objects.
The Laal Collective was formed in 2021 by Directors Ali McCaw, Vicki Maxfield and Lizzie Clapham. After Lizzie sadly passed in 2023, Emily Watson joined us. The Directors collectively have over 80 years of professional experience in developing, delivering, managing and evaluating arts projects; from in school workshops to large scale celebratory events and exhibitions.
Ali and Vicki are The Laal Collective’s creative leads. They previously worked together for 10 years developing a studio theatre programme for adults with learning disabilities in Carlisle and the West Coast while working at Prism Arts. They also have many years experience creating projects in schools for early years through to Year 6. With specialisms in puppetry, theatre, and arts projects, Ali and Vicki have created projects in a variety of places including swimming pools, climbing walls, quarries, nature reserves and historic buildings.
Emily works on a largely freelance basis as a personal assistant, support worker and provider of general administration and accounting support as well as using her skills to support a local charity in her free time. Emily likes to do the jobs that no one else chooses!
The Laal Collective works with a number of Associate Artists and supports the development of local emerging artists through volunteer placements, training and provision of opportunities.
All our Artists have enhanced DBS checks. The Company has appropriate policies and procedures and insurances.
About Us
