Charlie Cook's Favourite Book
A Little Angel Theatre, The Lowry and Rose Theatre co-production
A musical adaptation of the best-selling book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler
Aimed at ages 3-8
Charlie loves reading. Especially books about pirates. But his sister hates it – it’s boring! Can Charlie convince her that reading is fun? Perhaps if she read a book about a pirate, who is reading a book about Goldilocks, who is reading a book about a knight…
Come and delve into a range of books with Charlie Cook, brought to life with puppetry and enchanting songs, and perhaps you will be able to help his sister discover the wonderful world inside a book…
Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book will be embarking on a national tour in 2024. Find out more at www.charliecookonstage.com
Age guidance
Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book is aimed at ages 3-8.
Our shows for this age group have storylines that can be followed and enjoyed by 3-4-year olds, but may also use slightly more complex ideas, humour, dialogue or song lyrics that older children will get more out of. There is nothing really scary in these shows but they can be a bit more dramatic than those for the youngest children, including in their use of sound and lighting, and characters may face some perils.
This show has standard seating for our studios. There are rows with chairs and soft blocks facing the stage, and some mats on the floor at the front. There will be up to 70 people watching the show (sometimes more if you come when there are school groups).
This isn’t an interactive show, but we always welcome vocal responses from young audiences, and you can join in by clapping along to the songs. The audience stay in their seats while watching, but you can leave and re-enter the auditorium at any time.
The show features a dragon puppet who roars loudly and quite a big crocodile puppet, but these are both friendly characters. As in the book, there is also a ghost carrying her head, who appears in the show with ‘haunted house’ sound effects, but she then puts her head back on, settles down to read a book and doesn’t seem scary anymore.
All ages are welcome at our shows and age ranges can only be a rough guide, but please bear in mind that Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book was not specially designed for under-threes. A show aimed at two-year olds would have some differences – those shows are carefully made to hold their attention for the duration, and not to be unsettling for them.
Book our workshops
School Bookings
For EYFS, KS1, KS2 / For ages 3-8.
Curriculum links
English: Author study (Julia Donaldson), picture books, exploring book genres and character types.
The Educational pack for Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book is available here.
The Visual story for Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book is available here.
Tickets for school groups are £7 for each adult and each child (weekdays before 3pm, during Islington term time only). Free adult tickets are available for children who need 1:1 support.
Before requesting a booking, please check dates, times and availability here. Maximum school capacity for this show is 95 people per performance.
Please fill in our school booking enquiry form here.
Download our information for undertaking a risk assessment for school visits here.
Accessible Performances
BSL Interpreted Performance: Sunday 28 Jan 2024, 3.30pm
Click here to book tickets.
These performances are provided for those who use British Sign Language. The interpreter will be at the front of the stage and lit with a spotlight. They will provide a linguistic and artistic interpretation of the show for people who are D/deaf or for whom BSL is their preferred language.
Relaxed Performance: Saturday 20 Jan 2024, 3.30pm
No online booking for Relaxed Performances – please call 020 7226 1787
Relaxed Performances are provided for people who would benefit from a more relaxed environment, or are uncomfortable with sudden lighting changes or loud noises, including those with an Autistic Spectrum Condition, sensory or communication needs or a learning disability. Find out more here.
The visual story is available here.
What is a visual story? Find out more here.
If you are interested in arranging a weekday Relaxed Performance for a school group, please contact boxoffice@littleangeltheatre.com
Credits
Adapted by Barb Jungr and Samantha Lane
Directed by Samantha Lane
Music & Lyrics composed by Barb Jungr
Set & costumes designed by Ellie Mills
Puppets designed by Maia Kirkman-Richards
Lighting Designed by Sherry Coenen
Stage managed by Olivia Presto
Performed by Pierre Hanson-Johnson, Georgie Samuels and Freya Stephenson
This play is based on the original book Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book -Written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler. Text © Julia Donaldson 2005 Illustrations © Axel Scheffler 2005 Published by Macmillan Children’s Books © 2005
With thanks to the following organisations and individuals for their support with the creation and development of this project:
Cockayne Grants for the Arts
The London Community Foundation
Macmillan Children’s Books
Molecule Theatre
Unity Theatre Trust
Discover Children’s Story Centre
Royal Victoria Hall Foundation
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Magic. Pure innocent, delightful puppet magic. A wonderful family outing.
– Benedict Cumberbatch
Little Angel Theatre is a magical place. They have brought many of my books to life on stage, and they do so creatively whilst remaining faithful to the books. It is wonderful to see so many children enjoying this special THEATRE.
– Julia Donaldson
My FAVOURITE theatre in the whole world!
– Neil Gaiman