THE PEACH CHILD, 2001/8

Written and directed by Anna Furse

Funded an Arts Council Award this was commissioned by the Little Angel Theatre in 2001. It premiered with the Japan Festival 2001 and the National Children's Theatre Festival UK and was revived by popular demand in 2002. One of several projects dealing with the overarching theme of sub-fertility, this project was designed for audiences of 4-7 year olds. Based on the ancient Japanese folk tale Momotaro, the story deals with an old childless couple and the miracle child born to them from a giant peach. The production experimented with a fusion of stick and rod “Bunraku” style puppetry, shadow puppetry, object animation, video and live performance. The original score waswritten by Clive Bell.

“The clever interplay between the visible and the invisible puppeteer, the use of film projection, paper screens and lighting and the evocative Japanese music are successful in creating a vivid visual language that makes this Japanese folk tale accessible to very young children while being hugely enjoyable for the parents.”  THE EVENING STANDARD “Hot Tickets” May 2001

“IT successfully pulls a collection of diverse talents and global creative influences… the effect is entrancing” THE STAGE May 2001

In 2007, this play was selected by the National Theatre for its Connections Programme. Having had many productions by youth groups, schools and theatres throughout the UK, performed in festivals in regional theatres, one production by Kennett School will be performed by a company of 14 year olds at the Cottesloe Theatre in July 2008. The play will be published in the New Connections 2008 anthology by Faber and distributed to all UK schools. 
See www.ntconnections.org.uk.