NLP’S world premiere staging of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s Tales From Acorn Wood visits York Theatre Royal on January 26 and 27.
Based on favourite stories from their lift-the flap books for pre-school children, the 50-minute touring show is suitable for one-year-olds and upwards or anyone who loves books.
In Tales From Acorn Wood, poor old Fox has lost his socks, but are they in the kitchen or inside the clock? Meanwhile, who’s keeping tired Rabbit awake?
Audiences can join in with Pig and Hen’s game of hide-and-seek and discover the special surprise Postman Bear is planning for his friends in a show full of songs and beautifully crafted puppets.
NLP (No Limit People) feature projection in their staging, along with technology that incorporates the book’s lift-the-flap elements.
Donaldson says: “I am really happy that the Tales from AcornWood are now moving to the stage. Fans of the books are bound to enjoy seeing the four main characters – Fox, Bear, Pig and Rabbit – brought to life through NLP’s clever staging. Live performance and songs are both very close to my heart and I am sure this production will delight children and families.”
Scheffler enthuses: “I have always enjoyed illustrating the Tales From Acorn Wood stories; the wide cast of animal friends is fun to draw, and I enjoy developing their world through my pictures.
“I am very pleased that the NLP team is using state of the art staging and technology to create a brilliant experience for children, and I am looking forward to seeing it all, especially how they create the lift-th- flap effects on stage!”
In NLP’s creative team, puppet director and choreographer Johnny Autin is working alongside director Brad Fitt, production designer Ian Westbrook, motion graphic designer Louise Rhoades-Brown and lighting designer Alex Musgrave. Miles Russell is the composer and musical director; Entify’s Deborah Mingham has designed and created the props and puppets.
Tales From Acorn Wood has been made by the producing team behind Rod Campbell’s Dear Zoo Live and Dear Santa Live.
Derrick Gask, NLP’s company director and general manager, says: “As a theatre production company, we’re all incredibly excited to be working with such a prestigious creative team, to bring these much-loved children’s books to life. At NLP, we’re passionate about producing live theatre that inspires and entertains, and we’re in no doubt that the Tales From Acorn Wood will do just that.”
NLP presents Tales From Acorn Wood at York Theatre Royal on January 26, 4pm, and January 27, 11am and 2pm. Box office: 01904 623568 or yorktheatreroyal.co.uk
