The Amazing Thing

THE AMAZING THING

“As I was walking down the beach, one bright and sunny day, I saw a great big wooden box, a-floating in the bay. I pulled it in and opened it up, and there to my surprise, I discovered a ?..?..? right before my eyes!”

What’s in the box? A strange thing? Something terrible, or a thing of beauty?

‘The Amazing Thing’ explores the idea of traditional folk-tales having a life of their own.

Peter Grimm, modern descendent of the brothers who famously collected traditional stories, finds a box washed-up, and in it an Amazing Thing – a mermaid-like figure from their time. A fairytale character herself, she’s caught by her hair in the wooden box and asks to be freed.

Back in his ancestors’ day, it seems she was a bit of a nuisance, wanting to tell tales her own way. The discovery leads to re-angled accounts of Red Riding Hood, The Frog Prince plus – using that long hair trapped in the woodwork – Rapunzel. With familiar snippets from various Brother Grimm tales and the fantasy of being able to enter and change parts of the old stories. This is both a modern, and traditional piece of puppet theatre. The performance showcases a variety of puppet forms including, object theatre, traditional glove puppets and table-top puppets. The whole is wrapped up in a story frame by a ‘solo performer, in a remarkable tour-de-force’, using puppetry, acting, music and storytelling. The Amazing Thing is “An exciting and mesmerizing performance that appeals to everybody.

A truly original story. Fun, inspiration and delight for all the family. Suitability: 4+ and family / Duration: 55 minutes

“A really, really good show – the writing was excellent. The performance was incredibly skilful and energetic. Charismatic and engaging.” Beverley Puppet Festival, East Yorkshire