UK Tour

Touring throughout 2016

Orion is scared of more or less everything. He's terrified of wasps and monsters, afraid of sheds and storms, panicked by spiders and fearful of heights but there is one thing that scares him more than anything else. Most of all he's scared of... The DARK! Join Orion on an adventure as he faces his biggest fear and find out it's friendly! A heart-warming tale of friendship, adventure and overcoming your fears. Based on the book by Emma Yarlett, this is the perfect treat for everyone aged 3 and up.

Pleasance Islington

8 December 2015 - 3 January 2016

Nutcracker! The Musical is a story of magic, far away places, fairy tale kingdoms, of love, friendship, family and most importantly imagination. With a modern musical score influenced by Tchaikovsky's famous ballet, this fresh new look at the original Nutcracker story will enchant audiences of all ages.

Teenage Marie is too old to play with dolls but there's something intriguing about the nutcracker given to her by her old Uncle Drosselmier. He seems lost in time. Long ago in the fairy tale kingdom of Chronenburg, the beautiful Princess Pirlipat has been magically disfigured by the evil Mouseyrinks, Queen of the Mice. King Wilhelm enlists the help of the mystical Royal Clockmaker to break the curse. Will a little magic and a lot of imagination be enough to discover the secret of the nutcracker and rescue the people of Chronenburg from the clutches of Mouseyrinks' spell?

Nutcracker! The Musical is written by multiple Emmy Award-winner Nancy Holson, with orchestration by Bruce Kiesling and Paul Rigano and directed by Ollie Fielding. This show promises to be a Christmas cracker!

Praise for the show

"A superbly great show that keeps its audience entertained from start to finish."
Carn's Theatre Passion

"This lively and colourful version of The Nutcracker is a welcome addition to the Christmas shows around London."
Plays to See

"The dance numbers are spectacular... Kids will eat it up."
The Upcoming

The Warren, Brighton and Leicester Square Theatre

May 2015

He’s written operas, sonatas and symphonies. Now he brings his epic piano skillz to the cabaret circuit.

Ludwig van Beethoven has written operas, sonatas, and symphonies. What’s next for the immortal genius? Why, a swinging cabaret act, of course! Join Beethoven as he sings about his angry mistresses, his rivalry with arch nemesis Mozart, and his senile mentor Haydn. With his trusty stage manager Kathy by his side, Beethoven bemoans Beiber, sighs about Cyrus, and tells you the one thing wrong with One Direction. Roll over, Beethoven? Not tonight!

Praise for the show

"A tour de force from actors Bryan Hodgson as Ludwig and Anita Creed as Miss Everything Else from Wagnerian soprano to a very Modern Major General... Imaginative, clever and very funny" ****
The Argus

"An hour of fun, silliness coupled with beautiful music and a history lesson" *****
London Theatre 1

Southwark Playhouse and UK Tour

December 2014 and throughout 2015

Based on a book that could only have come from the wonderful imagination of Russell Hoban and brought vividly to life by illustrator extraordinaire Quentin Blake.

Little Rosie collects ice-lolly sticks and puts them in an old box. As Rosie dreams of helping her parents pay off the bills her stick collection dreams of becoming something greater. And so, at the stroke of midnight, magic and dreams collide and a horse gallops out of the box! His name is Stickerino. “Where to?” he asks. “Anywhere with treasure!” she answers. There begins an adventure like none other: ice-lolly mountains by the sea, caskets of gold, and scurvy pirates.

A heart-warming tale of aspiration, friendship, adventure and a little bit of mischief. This is the perfect treat for everyone aged 3 and up.

Praise for the show

"Thrills the tiny tots."
Daily Mail

"There are songs, dancing, shouting-out, silliness and warm fuzzy love a-plenty. The 100-plus strong audience in this spacious but intimate venue were enraptured and all left wiping tears of joy, nostalgia and happiness."
Ipswich Spy

"Fun for the whole family."
A Younger Theatre

"Visually inventive and captures the essence of childhood "
Reviews Gate

Dramatisation based on the book Rosie’s Magic Horse by Russell Hoban illustrated by Quentin Blake © 2012 Quentin Blake and Russell Hoban. Licensed by Walker Books Ltd., London.

Pleasance, Islington and UK Tour

December 2013 and tour throughout 2014

Presto the cat is a very talented magician, so when he and his best friend Monty the dog, join a funfair and start a magic show things look good for the duo. But fame goes to Monty's head and soon Presto loses his friend and his show! Will true friendship prevail? Is there a touch of magic in the air?

Based on the book by Nadia Shireen, a heart-warming tale of aspiration, friendship, adventure and a little bit of mischief accompanied by catchy songs, this is the perfect treat for everyone aged 3 and up.

Praise for the show

"A gorgeous show for kids... By the finale, everyone was under this show’s joyous spell."
FringeGuru

"A really wonderful show... both my children really enjoyed it. The story really kept them entertained. We would definitely recommend a performance of Hey, Presto!"
Jenny Kearney – 'The Gingerbread House' blog

Theatre in Hospitals project

May 2014 and May 2015

Especially written for our Theatre for Hospital initiative

Snail is feeling down, everyone else has their own nursery rhyme except him. He sets off on a journey through the rolling hills of Nursery Rhyme Land in search of a suitable verse about snails. Along the way he meets many memorable characters including Little Miss Muffet, Incy Wincey Spider and the Muffin Man. Snail feels lost, he doesn't quite fit in and the people he meets are rather scary.

The aim of our Theatre for Hospitals programme is to provide regular theatre performances within a healthcare environment for audiences of inpatients and outpatients along with their families, hospital and clinical staff in order to facilitate and enrich the development of a community of care to enhance the health and well being of the children.

Praise for the project

"I just wanted to say thank you for the lovely performance of Rhyming Capers at Great Ormond Street hospital last week. My son was an inpatient and the show really cheered him up and brought him some entertainment from the "outside world". The actors were so engaging and funny, and it was wonderful to see my son laugh! I wish you all the best for your future plans and hope the hospital scheme will be a success."
R (parent) with son E aged 6 (patient)

Pleasance, Islington and UK Tour

December 2012 and tour throughout 2013

Mole burrowing out of the ground sees the moon for the very first time and thinks it is the most beautiful thing he has ever seen and wants to play with it. Based on the book by Jonathan Emmett and illustrated by Vanessa Caban this is a heart-warming tale of aspiration, friendship, adventure and a little bit of mischief, this is the perfect treat for everyone aged 3 and up.

Praise for the show

"With just the right balance of storytelling, music, song and audience participation, the cast of four brought the book to life in a way that was engaging and entertaining"
(Salisbury Journal — Jill Harding)

"Children, on their feet and dancing, are delighted"
(The Stage — Ronnie Haydon)

"Charming production... a lovely way to start off a weekend or holiday morning with the family and put smiles on the faces of old and young."
(Babes About Town)

"A wonderful experience – it was engaging, interactive and pitched at the right level for our Early Years children. Many thanks."
Nursery Team, Yerbury School

Illustration © 2001 Vanessa Cabban
Reproduced by permission of Walker Books Ltd, London SE1 5HJ www.walker.co.uk

The Magic City

Pleaseance Dome, Edinburgh Fringe Festival

(3 August - 25 August, 2008)

Returning to the Pleasance Dome for the Edinburgh Fringe 2008 with another children's fantasy based on a book by Edith Nesbit. A toy city magically comes alive, leading two children on an incredible adventure. Bursting with surprises, extraordinary characters and fantastic puppets. Follow Philip and Lucy into an enchanting world. A fun-filled story with a uniquely beautiful set and original score.

Praise for the show

"The adventure of a lifetime... delightfully creative"
(Three Weeks)

"Evident theatrical skill... Blytonesque eagerness"
(The Stage)

"Great show... gorgeous to look at...kids will love it"
(Hairline)

Artwork kindly supplied by Quentin Blake © 2008
Do not reproduce without permission.

Shafted

Etcetera Theatre, London and Rocket, Edinburgh

(3 August - 29 August, 2008)

When a power-cut results in murder, frustration turns to fear. In the confinement of a stalled elevator, two co-workers stand over a lifeless body. But who is the killer? Dark and engaging - a murder mystery with a psychological twist.

Praise for the show

"This well written play is excellently directed by the writer who draws fine performances from the three actors."
(One4Review)

"Brave engrossing theatre from a young company"
(Alicia Devine)

The Enchanted Castle

Pleaseance Dome, Edinburgh Fringe Festival

(5 August - 27 August, 2007)

Overflowing with magic and surprises; this charming adaptation of Edith Nesbit’s timeless fantasy follows the summer adventures of four children who discover a troublesome wishing ring. Extraordinary creatures come alive and anything can happen in this fun-filled show, marking the novel’s centenary year. The show included original poster designs by Quentin Blake and an original score.

Praise for the show

"The actors engage and inspire their young audience... An hour of fun"
(The Guardian)

"The cast bring boundless energy to it all"
(The Stage)

"Great show... gorgeous to look at...kids will love it"
(Hairline)

Artwork kindly supplied by Quentin Blake © 2007
Do not reproduce without permission.

Dracula

Downing College Gardens

(19 November - 23 November, 2006 )

Dracula was Peaceful Lion Production's first show. A unique theatrical event staged outside, this was an ambitious and adventurous project. The audience sat snugly in a heated marquee while the action happened in a dark and eerie setting escaping out into the night, lights and mist provided a brilliant but scary atmosphere. The script closely based on the original written especially for the production presented the Gothic, frightening story that made Dracula a horror classic.

Praise for the show

"Enriching the atmosphere and chilling the audience... the production is extremely well conceived... hauntingly effective... The image of Lucy resting in her open coffin is likely to stay with you long after the lights go down, and follow you into bed."
(Varsity)