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Visually inventive and gently suspenseful, The Boy Who Read Aloud to the Sea is a family show full of wonder, danger and delight — told with Strange Futures’ signature mix of puppetry, humour and physical theatre.

 

Inspired by Joan Aiken’s short story, this playful and poignant adaptation follows Seb, a boy who loves to read aloud. After misreading a village notice, he sets out to read to the sea itself. On his journey he practises on a broken-down car, an empty house and an old tree, before finally befriending the restless, listening Sea.

 

But Seb is not alone. Shapeless forms of his family loom ever closer, threatening to drag him back home and silence his creativity. With danger growing and time running out, Seb’s only hope lies in the friend he has made — the Sea itself, which rises to save the day in a climactic surge of waves and wonder.

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Blending shadow and bunraku puppetry, playful interaction and moments of laugh-out-loud humour, the show celebrates the simple magic of stories read aloud — and the courage it takes to share your voice.

 

Designed for families and schools

Running time: approximately 65 minutes

Age guidance: 5 -11, Key Stages 1 and 2

Technical: simple set and minimal technical requirements, relaxed performance options available

 

 

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Schools and Partners

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Pair the performance with our Reading Aloud Workshops, where pupils read to gentle, responsive puppets from the show in a supportive, non-judgemental setting that builds confidence and joy in reading.

Click here to access workshops and booking information

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Creative & Production Team

Created by: Strange Futures

Direction: Jane George & company

Story Adaptation: Jane George & Matt Simmonds, from The Boy Who Read Aloud by Joan Aiken (presented with permission from the Joan Aiken Estate)

Co-devised by:Matt Simmonds, Will Moore, Eliza-Ann, Ryan Brunt Set Design & Construction: Will Moore & Steve Boffy

Puppet Design & Makers: Anna Brook & Will Moore

Shadow Puppetry Design: Matt Simmonds

Lighting & Sound: Andy Playford

Stage Manager: Caitlin Morgan

Puppetry Coach: Mollie Guilfoyle

Marketing & Photography: Alex Lake

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Cast List

Adult Seb: Matt Simmonds

Puppet Seb: Matt Simmonds & Eliza-Ann

Mother: Eliza-Ann

Meena: Eliza-Ann

Morgan: Will Moore

Morwenna: Ryan Brunt

Car: Will Moore

Cat: Ryan Brunt & Will Moore

Narrator: Ryan Brunt

Tree: Will Moore

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Community Cast (Malvern)

Sea: Ciera Jones, ShazyB, Kate Pearce

Shadow Puppeteers: Ciera Jones, Marika Holley, Kerry Wiseman, ShazyB, Kate Pearce

(Note: For touring versions, shadow puppetry is distilled and performed by the company).

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Special Thanks & Acknowledgements

Special thanks to Paula Maidens and the staff and children at St. Matthias School for helping us develop our puppet-led literacy project for reluctant readers. We are also hugely grateful to the staff, Trustees, and volunteers at Malvern Cube Community & Arts Centre, alongside Tall Stories (for their Directors Award and mentoring).

 

Funders

And last, but absolutely not least, we are incredibly grateful for the generous support of our funders: National Lottery Awards for All, Postcode Local Trust, The Elmley Foundation, The Bransford Trust, and Malvern Town Council.

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