Theatre / Family Theatre
Bristol’s Scarlet Oak Theatre: creators of enchanting and affordable shows for young families
Taking their inspiration from the natural environment, Bristol-based Scarlet Oak Theatre make enchanting and educational shows aimed at children of two to 11 years old, as well as adults.
Running school workshops and pop-up events to accompany their productions, they harness skills in storytelling, puppetry and clowning to excite and entertain their young audiences.
The company is co-directed by Jasmine Orchard, who trained in circus at Circomedia and in clowning under the internationally esteemed Ecole Phillipe Gaulier in Paris; and Lucia d’Inverno, who also trained at Circomedia, and is co-producer of the semi-regular dada comedy cabaret, Wonderhaus at The Wardrobe Theatre.
is needed now More than ever
Along Came a Magpie – photo: Scarlet Oak Theatre
Their newest creation Along Came A Magpie follows the burgeoning – but not always straightforward – friendship between a gardener and a magpie who has wreaked havoc in the potting shed.
On February 10, they will be at The Front Room in Weston-super-Mare for two pay-what-you-want performances.
It’s “an attempt,” Orchard explains, “to make live theatre more accessible to families with a lower budget who may be feeling a financial strain at this time”.
In the spring, following a tour of schools and village halls, the company will be returning to The Wardrobe Theatre with their popular show The Zoo That Comes to You.
Initially created in 2019, the debut tour of this fun and accessible introduction to conservation was halted after just three weeks, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The narrative follows a pair of wildlife lovers who are the custodians of an animal sanctuary missing just one, key element: visitors.
Along Came a Magpie is at The Front Room, Weston Super Mare on February 10 at 11am and 2pm. Tickets are available at www.ticketsource.co.uk.
The Zoo That Comes to You is at The Wardrobe Theatre on April 5-7 at 11am and 2pm (under 2s go free). Tickets are available at www.thewardrobetheatre.com.
You can follow Scarlet Oak Theatre @scarletoaktheatre.
All photos: Scarlet Oak Theatre
Read more: The Weston Studio hosts Flibbertigibbet Theatre’s family show without words
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