Brand new children’s theatre show debuts at Cast in Doncaster this Christmas

Original music, distinctive design, and handcrafted puppetry is at the heart of this playful new production, which arrives in Doncaster this weekend.

Odd Doll Theatre Company Company presents Whisker’s First Winter – a captivating theatre show for children aged two to six. Bringing together artisan puppetry, original music and illustrated animation, the playful production follows Whisker - a curious cub who creeps out of his cave to discover that his snuggly home has been transformed into a shimmering forest. Young audiences and their companions will join in with Whisker’s adventure as he journeys through a wintery wonderland; skidding on an icy lake, sculpting shapes in the snow and encountering adorable animals along the way.

Whisker’s First Winter is a new production from Odd Doll (Seaside Terror), a Yorkshire company founded in 2012 by Kathleen Yore and Rebekah Caputo. It is acclaimed for using physical storytelling, handcrafted puppetry, original music and distinctive design to create highly visual and accessible theatre performances. Whisker’s First Winter has been a year in the making, from the crafting of Odd Doll’s intricate puppets to collaborations with creatives including composer and musician Paul Mosley, animator Virpi Kettu, puppeteers Jennie Rawling and Matt Wood and set designer Ali Allen.

Odd Doll Artistic Director Kathleen Yore says, “Families come to the theatre for a treat at Christmas so we wanted to create a show that is amazing and surprising to fill young people with joy, make them laugh and feel inspired. There’s nothing more astounding for children than seeing puppets come alive on stage and we can’t wait to welcome them to Whisker’s First Winter. We’re offering a unique experience for young audiences to become immersed in his beautiful wintery world and want them to feel relaxed to move, make noise and be part of Whisker’s adventure, discovering lots of magical things along the way.”

Kathleen Yore directs Whisker’s First Winter. She is a puppeteer, puppet maker, musician and performer (Mother Courage and Her Children/ Wrong ‘Un, Red Ladder Theatre Company.) Kathleen also works as a Giggle Doctor in hospitals throughout England for Theodora Children’s Charity, including in Leeds General Infirmary and Sheffield Children’s Hospital. For ten years, she has specialised in play, improvisation and interacting to bring out the joy in difficult situations for children and their families. Along with Rebekah Caputo she is a graduate of Bretton Hall and they were both founder members of the award-winning Chotto Okki Theatre Company.

Whisker’s First Winter is Odd Doll’s fifth production. It premieres in Doncaster this December and will tour nationally in Winter 2020. Odd Doll is an associate company of Cast.

For more information and to book tickets for Whisker’s First Winter, contact Cast box office on 01302 303 959 or visit www.odddoll.co.uk// www.castindoncaster.com

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