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In most theatres, summer is a quiet time.  The stage lights go down, the doors close, and the “dark period” begins. It’s usually a time for maintenance, repairs, and preparations for the next season. At Little Angel Theatre, we do the opposite. The moment school’s out, we throw the doors wide open and pack both of our two performance spaces with puppets, theatre makers, and that wonderful festival buzz.

One of the interesting challenges with revivals, especially for children’s theatre, is deciding how much to adapt them for a new audience. The target age group for a family show is always changing, and the children who saw a production ten years ago are now teenagers, unlikely to return for the same piece.

At Little Angel Theatre, we’ve been working in the 7+ age range for a long time, yet the challenge of drawing audiences remains as persistent as ever. Despite all of our creativity, energy, and experimentation, this audience segment continues to be one of the trickiest to reliably fill.

Is it inappropriate to swear in a children’s show aimed at those age 7 and above? We’ve decided it is, specifically changing “piss off” to “shut up.” But was it the right decision? I wasn’t initially sure – it packs a punch at a pivotal point in the play. But watching the show with a large school audience of Year 5 children gave me my answer. When Seb delivered “shut up” instead, an emotionally charged moment directed at his best and only friend, David, the audience reacted with complete outrage. Audible gasps. Shocked laughter. Mission accomplished.

Ten years ago, when I stepped into the role of Artistic Director, Producer, and CEO at Little Angel Theatre, I knew I was joining a company with a remarkable legacy. What I didn’t yet know was just how deeply that legacy, and the people who carry it forward, would shape me. Over the last decade, this journey has been one of transformation: of spaces, of people, of possibilities, and also of myself.