Explore with puppets

AN enchanting world of secret memories will be explored in a theatrical production for children and adults called The Girl who was Swallowed by a Giant, at the Shoebox Theatre tomorrow.

The play, by Bee Daws Puppetry, combines live music, clowning and playful puppetry to portray a girl consumed by curiosity and the adventures that unfold.

The Girl who was Swallowed by a Giant, which is 45 minutes long, is about our relationship with the past. It explores issues relating to mental health and tells the story of being consumed by something that feels much bigger than ourselves and how we can try to overcome challenges we face.

“The inspiration for the show came from exploring mental health issues and my own experiences. I wanted to tell a story about being consumed by something that feels much bigger than ourselves and how we can try to overcome the challenges that we face,” said Bee.

“The Shoebox has been a brilliant space to develop the work. It hosts some amazing events and really supports local theatre makers. I originally did a one-week artist residency to develop my idea for the show and I am so happy to be back to debut it. I am also lucky to be working with puppet maker and director Mark Parrett, who has worked with the Bristol Old Vic, RSC and BBC, it really is such an exciting project.”

Bee Daws is a regular at the Shoebox and teaches puppetry to children and adults.

“From since I can remember, I have always loved puppetry. It offers me such escapism and joy, that I wanted to share this with others by teaching and using puppetry to tell stories. I began running workshops and helping adults and children to use creative ways to express themselves. The fascination with bringing life to inanimate objects still continues to drive my passion for puppetry today.”

Two performances take place at the venue in Theatre Square, at 1pm and 3pm. Suitable for ages six and above.

Tickets are £8, (£5 children under 14) from shoeboxtheatre.org.uk.

Writing the script for rock

IRISH trio The Script, whose latest single Rain was released in July, will be playing live at the Oasis in Swindon tonight.

Rain, released by Columbia Records, went straight into the Top 10 on iTunes and the band’s new album, Freedom Child, will be released on September 1.

The Script, formed in 2001 in Dublin, consists of lead vocalist Danny O’Donoghue, lead guitarist Mark Sheehan and drummer Glen Power.

The songs on Freedom Child include some timely, future-facing anthems about real-life events. The album was recorded between London and Los Angeles, and for the first time the band worked with some outside writers and producers, including Toby Gad and Nasri Atweh.

The Swindon concert is part of an international tour that kicked off in Dublin on August 21 and will conclude at the O2Academy in Brixton on September 1.

For ticket information visit the band’s website at www.thescriptmusic.com.

Branching out

LEARN more about the ancient art of coppicing at the Westonbirt Arboretum on Sunday.

This historic technique, used for centuries to conserve and manage our woodlands, will be the subject of exciting demonstrations in the woodland at the arboretum, near Tetbury.

Experts will also be talking about charcoal kilns and explaining how coppicing – which involves cutting trees back to a low level – helps to ensure the continued health of the trees and the woodland itself, including wild flowers and animals, by stimulating growth and letting sunlight into the wood.

Visitors can also buy some coppice products for the garden, as well as seasonal items made at the arboretum, such as charcoal, firewood and rakes.

The coppicing demonstrations, from 10am to 4pm, will take place at the end of the Tree Top Walkway, and are free to attend once you have paid the entrance into the arboretum.

For further information visit the Forestry Commission’s website at www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt.