Puppeteer and actor Charlie Daniells on making a ‘magical and memorable’ experience for first-time theatregoers
Musician and author Tom Fletcher’s interactive adventures from his Who’s in Your Book? series are taking to the stage at Blackheath Halls this May.
There’s a Monster in Your Show sees a group of performers preparing to start their show, but who quickly discover they are not alone on stage. Little Monster wants to be part of the fun, too. With an invitation to his friends, Dragon, Alien and Unicorn to join him.
Charlie Daniells, who plays Alex and is the puppeteer for Unicorn and Dragon, explains what audiences can expect from There’s a Monster in Your Show…
What attracted you to the role of Alex, Unicorn and Dragon?
I like Alex because she’s organised and keeps the others in line. Unicorn is very loud and confident, larger than life and loves showing off. Dragon is sweet, playful and kind. I love how different all three characters are and it’s great getting to be all three in one show.
What did you like about the books before being involved in the theatre adaptation?
I love how interactive they are. I thought it was really fun to have a book you have to shake and poke and turn upside down to make the story progress. The characters are very cute, and each book has a great message we can learn from, too.
How does the show tie in with the books?
The puppets in the show look just like Greg Abbott’s illustrations, and the set will instantly make you think of the brightly coloured pages of Tom’s books. The story is completely new, as are all the songs. Our adaptation is full of songs, dances and slapstick comedy, while still feeling very true to the style of the book series.
What can audiences expect from the show?
The show is 55 minutes of fun, laughs, great music and silliness. Be prepared to shout out, sing and dance along, and have a monstrously good time.
Who is it targeted for?
Everyone! The show is a brilliant introduction to theatre as we welcome lots of joining in and getting up and dancing. Grown-ups don’t need to worry about everyone sitting still and quiet. My Grandma loved it, too, so it really is suitable for all ages.
How does the puppetry add to the show?
Puppetry allows audiences to suspend their disbelief and join us in the world of the show. The puppets are small and very cute, so audiences really emote to them.
Younger audiences often find puppets easy to relate to, and their cartoonish appearance makes them not only friendly looking, but also very similar looking to the illustrations in the book series.
What is it like to work with puppets in a show?
I work full-time with puppets, and these are gorgeous to work with. I have two puppets in the show and have to switch quickly from one to the other, so that was something to get used to in rehearsals.
How have audiences reacted to the shows?
The reaction has been fantastic. Audiences of all ages have really enjoyed the show. It’s wonderful to see everyone (adults and kids) dancing and clapping along.
You’ll be coming to Blackheath Halls in May, what are you most excited about for the remaining dates of the tour?
I am excited for more audiences to see the show. For a lot of our audience members, it is their first experience of theatre, which is very special. We always try to make it a magical and memorable experience.
Dates: Saturday 25 May to Sunday 26 May 2024, 11am, 2pm and 4pm
Tickets: £16, under-14s £14
Blackheath Halls, 23 Lee Road, SE3 9RQ
www.blackheathhalls.com/whats-on/theres-a-monster-in-your-show-2
Production images by Pamela Raith Photography
