The Jumping JellyBeans (JJB) was born with the scope of bringing back theatre to children through different acting techniques and interaction. JJB wants to create a space to do their research, rehearsals and also make it a venue for performances. This will also be used to stage performances for children by various International theatre companies to give an exposure to Malaysian children and adults to the various types of work that is currently staged. It will also be a space to conduct workshops for children. This will help broaden and open their horizons. In order to make our performances accessible to all children the performances will be when possible, bilingual (Bahasa Malaysia and English).

Origins
Shanthini Venugopal and Cinzia Ciaramicoli first got together when they found that they shared a similar idea i.e. bringing theatre to less fortunate children after visiting the oncology paediatric ward at the University Hospital in the year 2000. The project “A play for a smile” was born with the aim of bringing cheer into the lives of young patients that where going through chemotherapy. “Colours of the Sky” was the first children’s’ theatre production that they where involved in. The project used puppetry in its performances with a story loosely based on the French book entitled “Le Petit Prince” written by Antoine De Saint-Exupery. This play was performed for two years in several homes, schools and for the public at the Actors Studio Box Theatre. It was used as a tool to raise funds for children diagnosed with cancer and who could not afford the initial treatment. Over RM100,000 was raised.

“The Jumping JellyBeans Cleaning Company” was the second production and it was created for raising funds for Magic (Malaysian Association of Guardians for Intellectually Challenged) in the year 2002. It was performed at the Actors Studio Box Theatre in July 2002. In April 2003 The Actors Studio asked Cinzia and Shanthini to perform it, this time for the public. It was an ideal opportunity to gauge the needs for a childrens’ theatre in our society especially since there is no local theatre company to cater to the younger audience.Shanthini and Cinzia decided to formalise the theatre company under the name of “The Jumping JellyBeans” and in July 2nd 2003, the company was registered.

Synopsis of The Jumping JellyBeans performances
1. The Jumping JellyBeans Cleaning Company
This tells the story of a cleaning company hired to clean the premise under the pretext that some other actors who will be performing later. The main cleaner is left with only one worker as all her assistants are stuck in a traffic jam. She then enlists the help of the audience with hysterical results. The cleaning takes a turn of events when a storybook and musical instruments are found. It is targeted to an audience aged 2 to 13 and for adults.

Performances done:
April 2003 - the Actors Studio Box, 5 performance Kindicare Nursery, 1 Performance
May 2003 – French International School, 1 Performance Trisha & Sasha Children’s Bookstore-Sri Hartamas- 1 performance Charity performance at Lee Garden to raise funds for Persatuan Kanak-Kanak Istimewa Ampang.
June 2003 - Sri Cempaka, 3 performances Actors Studio Bangsar, 2 performances ThyssenKrupp at Genting View resort- 1 performance
July 2003 - Actors Studio Penang, 2 performances
Nov 2003 - Charity show to raise funds for Rumah Solehah (a shelter home for children and women who are HIV positive)

2. “The Jumping JellyBeans Investigative Company”
This production sees 3 investigators trying to solve a crime – “Who stole Cinderella’s shoe?” The show is inspired by the popular children’s story. It includes a puppet show and clown skits, culminating with the actors on stills. The investigative team made its debut on the Malaysian stage in early November 2003.

Performances done:
November 2003 - Alliance Française, 2 performances
December 2003 - Japanese International School, 2 performances (part of the performance was done in Japanese)
January 2004 - The Actors Studio Bangsar, 5 performances
Future plans: To perform “The Jumping JellyBeans Investigative Company” in various private schools and corporate functions.

3. “The Jumping JellyBeans Storytelling Company”
Every third Saturday of each month, JJB performs at Trisha & Sasha (Children’s bookshop in Sri Hartamas). Every month there is a different theme that stories are based on.

Performances done:
a) Out of Africa, August 2003
b) Cooking, September 2003
c) I Spy, October 2003
d) Christmas, December 2003
e) Chinese New Year, January 2004
f) Out of Space, February 2004
g) Wishes, March 2004
h) Animals/Pets, April 2004
i) Special Needs Children, May 2004

JJB participated at the International Storytelling Conference held in Singapore in mid-November 2003, which featured performers from India, New Zealand, Australia, England etc. sharing their techniques and methods.

4. “The Jumping JellyBeans Party Company”
JJB performs a 45 minute show at children’s birthday parties. It features the JJB version of “Little Red Riding Hood” and a restaurant scenario.This was also performed on February 14th 2004 for Nestle Malaysia at the Paediatric centre at Kuala Lumpur General Hospital, Jalan Tun Razak.

5. “Terra Arata” (Tilled fields)
JJB’s future project is a production titled “Terra Arata” (Tilled Fields) inspired by the painting by Joan Miro’. Plans to stage it at the National Art Gallery end 2004. The production “TERRA ARATA” will be targeted to both children and adults. The actor’s work will be very physical and puppets will be involved. The play will end with a reproduction in scale of the painting “Tilled Field”.

6. “The Jumping JellyBeans Catering Company”
Future production that is in the research and planning stage. Will include a secret recipe “The Jumping Jellybeans Soup” and this will be served to the audience at the end of the performance.