Professor Pancake's

Puzzle Laboratory

Outstanding Theatre In Education Provision

Where Learning and Magic come together

RSHE/PSHE

Relationship, Personal, Social, Health and Economic

Mental Health and Wellbeing

The 'EMOTION Potion'

A 'Theatre in Education' school production specially written for Primary School Key Stage 1 & 2 pupils.

The 'EMOTION Potion' is a one hour fully interactive show, performed by Professor Pancake and his digital robotic companion 'RETRO' as they bring their traveling Puzzle Laboratory to your school.

Not only highly entertaining, great fun and very inclusive, the themes and ideas used in the show are designed to encourage development and start discussion of Mental Health and Wellbeing.

Using the theme 'EMOTIONS', the Professor and his Robot use magic, fun, comedy with pupil interaction and participation as they work together to solve the mystery and crack the code to the puzzle of human feelings and emotions.

Extended 'EMOTION Potion' Learning Package

The professor even has extension activities which can be completed in the classroom, after his visit.

A complimentary extension learning package of activities is included for your school for FREE.

What are schools saying about Professor Pancake's 'EMOTION Potion'

The theme of "emotions" was spot on! Professor Pancake unpacked many issues in an easy to understand way. The children were buzzing for the rest of the week after the performance. (Sean Wright - Headteacher - Ingoldisthorpe Primary School)
I have told lots of my teacher friends about the excellent performance Professor Pancake puts on. It was a perfect balance of interaction, fun, humour and education. Professor Pancake himself was engaging and enthusiastic and he had excellent additional resources to add to the interaction. (Nichola Keir - Deputy Headteacher - Flitcham Primary School)
Professor Pancake is a truly innovative performer, who is able to bring the subject of emotions alive in a safe, fun, informative way which supported our teaching, with outrageously funny skits, covering a wide range of emotions, which was fantastically engaging and informative. Thank you so much for visiting our school. (Sue Picton - PSHE Lead Teacher - Dersingham Primary)
The performance, right from the start, captivated every single child. Professor Pancake was engaging, fun and I feel the children were learning all about emotions without even realising they were. It was targeted very well to all of the ages, and it has been, by far, the best assembly we have had! (Chrissie Reddey - SENDCO - Sandringham and West Newton Primary Academy)
Professor Pancake introduced and discussed the sometimes uncomfortable theme of mental health through age-appropriate entertainment. Pupils had fun finding ways to unlock their emotions through a fully interactive science investigation with lots of laughter. The idea that colour is a way of expressing how we feel is, for some children, a new way of self-expression which can only be a good thing! (Michele Buschman - Deputy Head Teacher - North Wootton Academy)

Why book Professor Pancake's Puzzle Laboratory - 'EMOTION Potion' for your school?

A theatrical performance based around a subject is a great way to engage young minds. It encourages investigation and is the perfect springboard to start honest and meaningful discussion.

Our 'Theatre in Education' (TiE) provision is a story driven immersive and inclusive educational magic show using the theme of EMOTIONS, created using the DfE's latest Statutory guidance for Physical Health and Mental Wellbeing. (See DfE 2021 guidance)

Using audience interaction and participation, pupils and staff join in to help the Professor and his robot RETRO solve puzzles to develop a narrative, using magical illusions in the story which will amaze and baffle, as together they create an experiment of EMOTIONS in the Professor's Traveling Puzzle Laboratory.

About the creator

Brand new for 2024, this 'TiE' production has as been created, written and will be performed by John Giller, who brings Professor Pancake's Puzzle Laboratory to your school.

John has been a fully qualified school teacher since 1994 and as an award winning writer, director, producer and actor he started his own theatre company in 2012, after leaving mainstream education as a head teacher to continue to teach through drama and perform as a professional actor all over the country.

Puzzle Teaser

Can you work out this puzzle in less than 90 seconds?

Statutory Guidance - DfE 2021

Physical Health and Mental Wellbeing

By the end of primary school pupils should know:

that mental wellbeing is a normal part of daily life, in the same way as physical health
that there is a normal range of emotions (e.g. happiness, sadness, anger, fear, surprise, nervousness) and scale of emotions that all humans experience in relation to different experiences and situations
how to recognise and talk about their emotions, including having a varied vocabulary of words to use when talking about their own and others’ feelings
how to judge whether what they are feeling and how they are behaving is appropriate and proportionate
the benefits of physical exercise, time outdoors, community participation, voluntary and service-based activity on mental wellbeing and happiness
simple self-care techniques, including the importance of rest, time spent with friends and family and the benefits of hobbies and interests
isolation and loneliness can affect children and that it is very important for children to discuss their feelings with an adult and seek support
that bullying (including cyberbullying) has a negative and often lasting impact on mental wellbeing
where and how to seek support (including recognising the triggers for seeking support), including whom in school they should speak to if they are worried about their own or someone else’s mental wellbeing or ability to control their emotions (including issues arising online)
it is common for people to experience mental ill health. For many people who do, the problems can be resolved if the right support is made available, especially if accessed early enough

Unsure and want to know more about this fantastic educational opportunity? Contact John, he's more than happy to help.

Or if John has been lucky enough to perform in your school before, through his other TiE productions or pantomimes, then book Professor Pancake's Puzzle Laboratory - 'EMOTION Potion' now.

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