The Water Babies
by String Theatretheatre, children-and-family
The show tells the story of a little chimney sweep in land and his adventures in a surreal aquatic world.
about the production
The production is inspired by the novel (of the same name) by Charles Kingsley and tells the story of a little chimney’s sweep who, after a harsh beginning of child labour in an unforgiving world of adults, is transformed into a water baby. As he plunges into a surreal aquatic world of fish, caterpillars and caddisflies, the audiences are invited to follow his adventures in the murky depths and become immersed in his floating dream. Performed entirely to specially commissioned music, String Theatre uses long string marionettes and ghostly shadows to explore the themes of loss, friendship and transformation.
about the artist
String Theatre is a London-based touring company that presents long string marionette productions in a custom-built stage with bridge. This form of puppetry consists of the creation of a world where the marionettes become the main characters on stage and the puppeteers are out of view, operating from a standing position on the bridge. The lack of human presence on stage allows the artists to transform a small space into a new world with its own sense of scale and depth.
loading calendars
stage dimensions
width: 4 metres
height: 4 metres
depth: 3 metres
Stage dimensions
Height 320 cm, length 400 cm, depth 300 cm. The stage is raised by 32 cm (included in given height).
Lighting
One 230V outlet.
Audio
We have our own hi-fi system with two 400 W speaker.
Possibility of using venue’s hi-fi system. Soundtrack available in CD, Ipod or laptop.
Others
Blackout.
Help to carry equipment in and out of venue, if possible.
Advice on parking.
Get-in 4 hours, get-out 1.5 hours.
3+
This production is fully accessible to the deaf and the hard of hearing as it is a mime entirely performed to music.
We are always happy to offer a brief Q&A after the performance free of charge.
£500 for one show. If outside London, we require transport costs and accommodation for one night covered for for 3, maximum 4, people.
Our fee for any extra shows, assuming we can leave the stage set up, is £200.
