The Paper Dolls
14 Jun–20 Jul 2025
A Little Angel Theatre and Polka Theatre co-production, based on the original book by Julia Donaldson and Rebecca Cobb
Aimed at ages 3 - 8
Duration: 45 mins approx.
Based on the original book ‘The Paper Dolls’ – written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated Rebecca Cobb.
When a little girl cuts out a string of paper dolls she takes them by the hand and together they go on a fantastical adventure whirling through their home and garden. Ticky, Tacky, Jackie the Backie, Jim with two noses and Jo with the bow fly through time and tear across worlds of fun and excitement.
They face the Jurassic clutches of a toy dinosaur and the snapping jaws of the oven-glove crocodile, and then a very real boy with very real scissors threatens to snip their adventure short…
View the Freesheet for The Paper Dolls here.
Photographs by Ellie Kurttz
Age Guidance
The Paper Dolls 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 theatre seating – rows of benches facing the stage. There will be up to 90 people watching the show (sometimes more if you come when there are school groups).
This isn’t an interactive style of show, but we welcome vocal responses from young audiences. The audience stay in their seats while watching the show, but you can leave and re-enter the auditorium at any time.
As in the book, the loss of the little girl’s beloved paper dolls is central to the story. When this happens, her brother finds the dolls in the garden and cuts them to pieces while she is indoors. He makes a few snips with the scissors and small pieces of paper are thrown around the stage. The little girl is very upset when she sees what has happened, and is comforted by her mother. We then see how the paper dolls live on in her memory along with other loved things and people (‘a kind granny’) and how when she grows up she makes more paper dolls with her own child.
Earlier in the story, when the little girl is playing with the paper dolls, they have adventures where they are chased by a toy dinosaur, a tiger (a slipper / puppet) and a crocodile (an oven glove / puppet). These are playful scenes and the paper dolls always escape.
All ages are welcome at our shows and age ranges can only be a rough guide, but please bear in mind that The Paper Dolls was not specially designed for under-threes. The show contains a lot of extra dialogue that is not in the book. 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.
The show is based on the book The Paper Dolls by Julia Donaldson. You can buy the book from us here
Accessible Performances
BSL Interpreted Performance: Saturday 7th June at 3.30pm
Click here to book for this BSL performance.
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: Sunday 15th June 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 for The Paper Dolls 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
Schools Performances
For KS1, KS2 / Age 3 – 8 – see above for notes on age guidance.
Our Educational Pack is available here.
The Visual Story is available here.
Tickets for school groups are £7 for each adult and each child, or £8.50 for fee-paying schools and nurseries. These rates are only available on weekdays before 3pm during Islington term time. 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 115 people per performance.
Please fill in our school booking enquiry form here.
Download our information for undertaking a risk assessment for school visits here.
Credits
Adapted & Directed by Peter Glanville
Associate Directed by Beth Wilson
Set & Puppets designed by Lyndie Wright
Music Composed by Julian Butler
Lighting Design by David Duffy
Stage Managed by Alex Hobbs
Performed by Katie Haygarth and Jane Crawshaw
Based on the original book ‘The Paper Dolls’ – written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated Rebecca Cobb.
View the Freesheet for The Paper Dolls here.
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If you are able to support us, any donation, large or small, will make a huge difference.
All amounts are welcome. Thank you!
Other shows at our Theatre…
Overheard in a Tower Block
For everyone over 7
Krafty the Urban Fox: Tales from the Tower Block
Discover the wild side of the city, where every corner holds a story waiting to be told!
Aimed at ages 2-5
Angel's Little Explorers (6-18 months)
6 - 18 months recommended
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
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Performances
Relaxed Performance
Relaxed performances are provided for people who would benefit from a more relaxed environment, including those with an Autistic Spectrum Condition, sensory or communication needs or a learning disability.
To book for a school group, please CLICK HERE to complete the school booking enquiry form
This performance is also on sale to the public
To book for a school group, please CLICK HERE to complete the school booking enquiry form
This performance is also on sale to the public
All tickets £10 at 4.45pm
To book for a school group, please CLICK HERE to complete the school booking enquiry form
This performance is also on sale to the public
All tickets £10 at 4.45pm
All tickets £10 at 4.45pm
To book for a school group, please CLICK HERE to complete the school booking enquiry form
This performance is also on sale to the public
To book for a school group, please CLICK HERE to complete the school booking enquiry form
This performance is also on sale to the public
All tickets £10 at 4.45pm
To book for a school group, please CLICK HERE to complete the school booking enquiry form
This performance is also on sale to the public
All tickets £10 at 4.45pm
To book for a school group, please CLICK HERE to complete the school booking enquiry form
This performance is also on sale to the public
All tickets £10 at 4.45pm
All tickets £10 at 4.45pm
This performance is only on sale to schools
To book for a school group, please CLICK HERE to complete the school booking enquiry form
To book for a school group, please CLICK HERE to complete the school booking enquiry form
This performance is currently only on sale to schools. If you would like to be notified if this performance goes on sale to the public you can join our waiting list here
All tickets £10 at 4.45pm
This performance is only on sale to schools
To book for a school group, please CLICK HERE to complete the school booking enquiry form
To book for a school group, please CLICK HERE to complete the school booking enquiry form
This performance is currently only on sale to schools. If you would like to be notified if this performance goes on sale to the public you can join our waiting list here
All tickets £10 at 4.45pm
To book for a school group, please CLICK HERE to complete the school booking enquiry form
This performance is currently only on sale to schools. If you would like to be notified if this performance goes on sale to the public you can join our waiting list here
To book for a school group, please CLICK HERE to complete the school booking enquiry form
This performance is currently only on sale to schools. If you would like to be notified if this performance goes on sale to the public you can join our waiting list here
All tickets £10 at 4.45pm