Family audiences can look forward to a thrilling new take on E. Nesbit’s much-loved story, Five Children and It, which appears at Bath’s Egg Theatre from Friday 10th December to Sunday 16th January, presented by award-winning theatre makers Bucket Club.
If you could have one wish what would IT be? Sent away to live in the countryside with their reclusive Uncle, five children discover a secret that’s been hidden away for centuries: a magical, mischievous and extremely grumpy Sand Fairy from the dawn of time called It, with the power to grant spectacular wishes. There’s just one catch…
As the children set off on a series of fantastic adventures, they soon learn that wishes can get you into a whole heap of trouble. Perhaps a wish granted isn’t always the dream come true you might expect!
Based on the classic fantasy story by E. Nesbit, this stage production of Five Children and It is written by Marietta Kirkbride, featuring original songs and music written by David Ridley, and is recommended for everyone over the age of 6.
The role of It is played by Bristol-based Craig Edwards, whose numerous previous theatre credits include Around the World in Eighty Days and A Midsummer Night’s Dream at The Egg.
Patrick Bridgman, who plays Uncle Paul, has previously performed in E. Nesbit’s The Railway Children at Nottingham Playhouse and London’s Peacock Theatre, and has toured throughout the UK with Tall Stories Theatre Company. Hannah Bristow, who appears as Robert, trained at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School before performing with the National Theatre, the RSC and Bristol’s Old Vic and Tobacco Factory. Doxah Dzidzor, who plays as Anthea, has previously performed in Me and My Bee at Oxford Playhouse and Hear Me Now for Battersea’s Theatre 503. The role of Jane is played by Hanora Kamen, an associate artist with Bristol’s Wardrobe Theatre, whose credits include BBC Three’s Breadline and UK tours of The Great Train Robbery, The Snow Beast and Eloise and The Curse of the Golden Whisk. Luke Murphy, who appears as Cyril, has toured in America in Wilde Creatures for Tall Stories and performed in the UK in shows for Theatre Clwyd, Theatre by the Lake, The New Vic and Birmingham Rep.
Five Children and It is directed by Nel Crouch, Bucket Club’s artistic director, who has written and directed all of the company’s previous work, including The Beasts at Lyric Hammersmith and Fossils which toured the UK. Nel was previously resident director at Bristol’s Tobacco Factory and London’s Almeida Theatre. Bristol-based Marietta Kirkbride, who has adapted Five Children and It for the stage, is a co-founder and associate artist for the award-winning theatre company Bucket Club, which makes adventurous theatre for audiences of all ages.
Born in 1858, Edith Nesbit wrote stories for children and adults, collaborating on more than 60 books in her lifetime. Her first published works, before the age of 20, were poems. Edith wrote more than 40 books for children including novels, storybooks and picture books and was described by her biographer, Julia Briggs, as “the first modern writer for children”. Amongst her best known works are The Story of the Treasure Seekers (1899); The Wouldbegoods (1901); the trilogy Five Children and It (1902), The Phoenix and the Carpet (1904) and The Story of the Amulet (1906); and The Railway Children (1906), which has been adapted for the screen several times, including the famous 1970 film starring Jenny Agutter and Bernard Cribbins.
Five Children And It appears at The Egg at the Theatre Royal Bath from Friday 10th December to Sunday 16th January. Tickets are on sale at The Egg on 01225 823 409, the Theatre Royal Bath Box Office on 01225 448844 and online at www.theatreroyal.org.uk
Related
Comments
Nobody has commented on this post yet, why not send us your thoughts and be the first?
