the boy who read aloud to the sea

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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 55 minutes

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

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

 

 

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 Team

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Created by: Strange Futures

Directed by: Jane George

Stage adaptation by: Strange Futures, from The Boy Who Read Aloud by Joan Aiken (presented with permission from the Joan Aiken Estate)

Co-devised by: Matthew Simmonds, Will Moore, Eliza Ann, Ryan Brunt

Performed by: Ryan Brunt, Matthew Simmonds, Will Moore, Eliza Ann

Puppetry:

 

• Cat puppetry: Ryan Brunt with Will Moore

• Car puppetry: Will Moore

• Seb puppetry: Matthew Simmonds and Eliza Ann

• Shadow puppetry: community cast for the first local performance; distilled touring version performed by the company

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Shadow puppetry design: Matthew Simmonds

Puppet design and making: Anna Brook and Will Moore

Set design: Will Moore

Lighting design: Pete Coxhead

 

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With special thanks to: Tall Stories Directors Award and studio mentoring, The Story Museum, The Elmley Foundation, National Lottery Awards for All, and People’s Postcode Lottery.