tutti frutti and York Theatre Royal present
SNOW CHILD
Written by Emma Reeves (Hetty Feather, Vaudeville Theatre)
Inspired by Arthur Ransome’s adaptation of The Little Daughter of the Snow
Directed by Wendy Harris Designed by Kate Bunce
Movement by Joanne Bernard Music by Oliver Birch
Cast: Mei Mac, Lizzie Franks and Mark Pearce
TOUR DATES: UK tour from 3 October 2015 – 5 March 2016
tutti frutti and York Theatre Royal are delighted to announce that they will be teaming up with Olivier award nominated playwright Emma Reeves to stage the enchanting Snow Child, a new play inspired by Arthur Ransome’s adaptation of The Little Daughter of the Snow.
Due to York Theatre Royal’s closure for its major development, the tutti frutti & York Theatre Royal production will premiere at Arc, Stockton Arts Centre on 3rd October 2015 and then tour the UK until 5 March 2016 including dates at York Theatre Royal, The Lowry, Salford Quays, The Gulbenkian, as well as several London venues. The production will also tour to Hong Kong and Singapore.
As autumn leaves fall and the foxes, wolves and bears hide among the trees, tutti frutti will tell you a magical story about family, love and the power of dreams. The first snow falls. Watching the village children play, a lonely couple yearn for a child of their own. They build a small figure from the ice and snow, and wish very, very hard… until the strength of their longing brings the magical snow child to life before their eyes! She’s a girl like no other. As she dances in the wild landscape and talks with the animals, she brings joy, fun and laughter to the whole village. But it’s not easy, bringing up a wild daughter of the blizzards and the wind. As the seasons turn, and winter gives way to spring and summer, will the Snow Child and her parents find their “happily ever after”? With direction by tutti frutti’s artistic director Wendy Harris, atmospheric music by Ollie Birch, beautiful movement by Joanne Bernard and an inspired design brought to you by Kate Bunce, Snow Child promises to be a winter wonderland of poignant, inventive storytelling to enchant children and families.
Last year playwright Emma Reeves adapted Jacqueline Wilson’s Hetty Feather for the stage and was subsequently nominated in the Best Entertainment & Family category at the 2015 Olivier Awards. Emma has also written some episodes for the forthcoming television version of Hetty Feather. Her other stage adaptations include Carrie’s War, Little Women, Anne of Green Gables and Cool Hand Luke. She co-created and wrote the hit CBBC series Eve. Other TV credits include The Dumping Ground, Tracy Beaker Returns, Young Dracula and Sadie J. She has twice been nominated for Writers’ Guild Awards.
Emma said about the new version, “Wendy Harris approached me with her plans for adapting the old Russian tale, “The Snow Child” and I was instantly intrigued and could see how it could form the basis of a show which addressed fundamental questions about parents and children and, generally, what it means to be human. Like all the best legends, there are many versions available, some of which end happily, others not so much. But the central story is always there – two parents who yearn for a child so much that their very love and desperation wills her into being, and a child who loves her parents but doesn’t understand them – and vice versa. I want to write a story about unconditional love, and how we (wittingly or unwittingly) test the people we love – and how we try to forgive them when they fail.
Above all, I thought it was a magical story. I want our audience to love the character of the Snow Child as much as I do. I want them to feel they’ve been transported to a world where anything is possible, and met an irresistible heroine – who feels the same as they do about parents: they can be an incredible nuisance sometimes, but in the end you have to feel sorry for them – and even love them – after all, maybe – just maybe – you need them as much as they need you…?
It’s a story with a winter setting, which uses all the magic of winter – but ultimately I want it to be heart- warming.
This is my first collaboration with tutti frutti and the company has made me feel incredibly welcome. I’m excited to work with this creative team and can’t wait to collaborate on this exciting new show!”
tutti frutti productions are a national touring company creating high quality work for children and their families to enjoy. Based in Leeds, tutti frutti has been delighting children aged 3 and above since 1991. The company tour nationally and internationally to schools, venues, arts centres and village halls through the rural touring schemes. Whether it is a commission or an adaptation of a book, tutti frutti aims to work with the best artists and actors to create a unique and special experience for all who attend. Previous tutti frutti and York Theatre Royal co-productions have included, When We Lived in Uncle’s Hat, Hare and Tortoise, Rapunzel, The Boy Who Cried Wolf and last year The Princess and the Pea.
York Theatre Royal is the oldest continuously running theatre outside London and is currently under-going a £4.1million redevelopment to its front of house and auditorium areas. An Arts Award Good Practice Centres for 2014-15, the theatre is nationally recognised as an inspiring centre for children and young people participating in the arts and as a specialist in creating highly original and engaging theatre for families that has helped to grow audiences for theatre regionally and nationally. Through forging strong artistic partnerships with other theatre companies, like tutti frutti and Pilot Theatre, they continue to create a significant body of work that has regional and national impact.
Snow Child opens at Arc, Stockton-on-Tees on the 3rd October and will then tour until 5th March 2016. The tour will include dates at Arts Centre Washington (30 Nov-5 Dec), Gulbenkian Theatre (8-20 Dec), The Lowry Salford Quays (22 Dec-3 Jan) and York Theatre Royal (23 Feb-7 Mar).
Snow Child is suitable for everyone aged over 3.