An acrobat lifts another performers into the air upside down. An audience of children watches.

Bedtime Stories

AN IMAGINATIVE FAMILY ADVENTURE INTO A CIRCUS DREAMLAND

In a giant childhood bedroom, amongst blankets, pillows and teddy bears, the audience can unwind in comfort and enjoy this endearing, award-winning production.

Out of the rituals of bedtime, a poignant story unfolds in the mysterious space between waking and sleeping, as a young girl is caught between her imaginary friend and her busy mum. Artfully weaving together storylines that touch all ages, Bedtime Stories tugs at the heartstrings by exploring the struggles contemporary families face in finding time together.

The result is a starkly resonant piece of storytelling in circus that blends aerial silks and acrobatic adagio with enchanting projection to transport its audience into a night-time fantasy world, which has remarkable parallels to their own.

REVIEWS

A mum and her child sit in bed together.

★★★★ “A mesmerising adventure for children of all ages”Mumble Cirque

★★★★ “A very beautiful, dynamic and well-crafted show for children and their grown-ups” The Scotsman

★★★★ “A treat for the senses” Arts Award

★★★★ “A loving hymn to the power of imagination” Festmag

CAST AND CREATIVE

Performers
Mike Corr, Joana Dias and Hannah O’Leary

Concept and Direction
Vicki Amedume

Text
Vicki Amedume and Yusra Warsama

Design
Becky Minto

Lighting
Chloe Kenward

Projections
SDNA

Sound design and composition
James Atherton

Creative Consultancy
Sarah Sansom at Time Won’t Wait

With additional acrobatics coaching by Dannick Chollet and movement direction by Krista Vuori.

Special thanks to Theresa Heskins, Okorie Chukwu, Sarah Winn, Emily Mytton and all the participants who have contributed their time and voices to devise the piece, particularly young illustrators Arlo, Casper, Gabriella, Hattie and Jenny.

PREVIOUS TOURing

Hong Kong International Arts CarnivalDartington Trust, Bernie Grant Arts Centre, Hull City of Culture, London Wonderground,  Hackney Showroom LondonPolo Circo Buenos Aires Argentina, Circus Fest, Victoria Hall, Circus City Bristol, Arnolfini BristolThe Albany London, Contact ManchesterForest Arts Centre Wallsall,  The Gulbenkian KentPontio Bangor, Stratford Circus London and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

PARTNERS

Bedtime Stories is produced by Upswing in partnership with Stratford Circus with the support of Appetite Stoke, Creative Black Country, The Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust, The Leche Trust, The Albany, the Hangar Arts Trust and Jacksons Lane. Supported by The Point, Eastleigh

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