Sesame Tree

"Sesame Tree" is a "Sesame Street" television co-production for Northern Ireland. The series is produced by Belfast-based production company [http://www.sixteensouth.tv Sixteen South] (part of [http://www.inferno.tv The Inferno Group] ) in association with Sesame Workshop. The first episode was aired on BBC Northern Ireland on 5 April 2008.

The project had been under consideration since 2004; in Sesame Workshop's presentations on their international projects, Northern Ireland was listed as a goal, with the intent of "building Sesame model for respect and understanding curriculum across sectarian divide." [ [http://uscpublicdiplomacy.org/pdfs/sesame_workshop_pd_19032004.ppt 2004 Sesame Workshop Powerpoint presentation] ]

The project remained as just a goal for lack of funding. However, in early 2006 The American Ireland Fund announced their donation of $1 million (about £600,000) to realize the project. [O' Driscoll, Sean. " [http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/frontpage/2006/0128/1137626810356.html 'Sesame Street' project to promote tolerance in North] ." "The Irish Times". January 28, 2006.] Additional sponsors include the Northern Ireland Fund for ReconciliationO'Mahony, Catherine. " [http://archives.tcm.ie/businesspost/2007/05/06/story23355.asp The North Gets Its Own Sesame Street] ." "The Sunday Business Post". May 05, 2007]

Sesame Workshop president Gary Knell spoke optimistically about the project: quote|Given the positive and wide-ranging developments that have taken place over the recent years, it’s a tremendously exciting time to be working in Northern Ireland. It’s crucial to develop children’s self-esteem, love of learning, openness and natural curiosity about others to better prepare them for a brighter future. We are proud and privileged, with our production partners from Northern Ireland, to have the opportunity to contribute to these objectives.

Though initially untitled, as the project developed, a decision was made to use a large hollow tree instead of a street as the setting, and "Sesame Tree" was finalized as the title in September 2007. [http://www.sesameworkshop.org/aboutus/inside_press.php?contentId=18660313 Sesame Workshop press release] . September 20, 2007]

The fifteen minute program follows a similar vein to The Hoobs, and features several new Muppet characters, developed by the Sixteen South production crew, built by the Jim Henson Company in New York, and performed by local puppeteers. Marty Robinson assisted in auditioning and training local performers, who include Lesa Gillespie, Paul Currie, Michael McNulty, Mike Smith, Helen Sloan and Alana Kerr. [ [http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/film-tv/news/article3045392.ece "Belfast Telegraph" "Ulster on way to Sesame Street" by Emily Moulton 10/10/07] ] The Northern Irish science fiction writer Ian McDonald has contributed scripts to the series, along with local writing trio Kieran Doherty, Danny Nash and Ian Nugent. Each of these 4 writers has written 5 episodes each, comprising the full 20 episodes of the series.

The 20 planned episodes of "Sesame Tree" will also include clips from the American "Sesame Street" and live action film inserts, shot in and around Northern Ireland. Executive producer Colin Williams of Sixteen South expressed the hope that "Through the fun interaction of the muppets in studio, Sesame Street archive clips and live action films, local children will enjoy learning about themselves and others."

The production also coincides with "Tar ag Spraoi Sesame", an Irish-dubbed package of "Play With Me Sesame", airing on TG4 in Ireland.

ources

External links

* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/schools/sesame/ Official BBC Northern Ireland Schools website for Sesame Tree]
* [http://www.irlfunds.org/your_money_at_work/projects_sesame.asp The American Ireland Fund - Sesame Tree]