How to Catch a Book Witch 2023 – 2025
Created with accessibility at its core this show included key word signing, captions and integrated audio description. The show was funded by The Arts Council England and Feast Cornwall with support from AMATA at Falmouth university. One of 5 shows that came out of our 2021 R&D series this show offered career and skills development to members of our team to diversify their practice, including our Company Stage Manager taking on puppetry making and engaging emerging stage managers.
Kira loves reading, visiting the library for a new book is her favourite thing. One day the words in the books start to disappear and the adults start to get grumpy. Graham Grey says the library will be knocked down to make way for a car park! We her new friend the book worm, Kira has to uncover why words are vanishing and where these book monsters have come from! Could there be a Book Witch in the library?
An open hearted show aimed at children aged 4+. Exploring the importance of libraries, sharing stories and not judging people. The show features live music, puppetry and storytelling.
Written by Sara Hooppell
Collaboratively created with the cast by Sara Hooppell and Jasmine Cole
Cast & Crew:
Narrator / Musician / Key Word Signing – Hannah Platts
Kira – Connie Crosby
Dad, Darren, Book Monsters, Customers – Michael Tonkin-Jones
Geraldine, Book Witch, Graham Grey, Customers – Izzy Wilkinson
Geraldine, Book Witch, Graham Grey, Customers – Mimi Attenborrow
Producer – Jasmine Cole
Stage Manager – Daisy Newburne Munn
Assistant Stage Manager – Tia Townsend
Animation & illustration – Holly Summerson
Puppets design & make – Demelza Monk
Puppetry support – Chris Pirie & Tori Cannell
Key-Word Signing Support – Arthur’s Club
Photography & Videography – Neal Megaw
Marketing design – Keith Sparrow
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Science Adventures: Deep Sea 2022-2024
Funded by Arts Council England, Feast Cornwall and Cultivator Cornwall this was our third science themed storytelling show for primary aged children 5+. Offering talent development with a series of emerging artists workshops alongside the production and skills development for the team.
We will be heading to the bottom of the sea with Coppice Theatre for an exciting aquatic adventure! Join Professor Flotsam and Dr Wright in their brand new submarine as they look for the strangest creatures in the deep, learn about looking after the oceans and read some of their favourite sea stories!
This fantastical show explores the importance of protecting our coast and oceans through puppetry, animation and storytelling whilst fostering a love of science and literature.
Written by Michael Tonkin-Jones
Stories by Izzy Wilkinson, Demelza Monk & Hannah Platts
Directed by Jamie Trotter Assistant
Directed by Izzy Wilkinson
Directors Assistant – Lottie Sopher
Cast:
Professor Flotsam – Zoe Waters / George Bradley / Tom Hayle
Dr Wright – Berry Cruse / Emily Bruce / Hannah Platts
Understudies – Hannah Platts, Sophia Deer & Melanie Whitehead-Smith
Producer – Jasmine Cole
Stage Manager – Demelza Monk
Animation & illustration – Holly Summerson
Set & Puppets Design & Make – Sandra Goodenough, Michelle Wilkinson
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Finding Father Christmas at The Museum 2023 & 2024
We returned to Truro with our unique walkabout storytelling and grotto experience for families, this time taking place in The Royal Cornwall Museum. Jingle the Elf told visitors their favourite stories while they searched for Father Christmas, who was hiding somewhere amongst the exhibits. Accompanied by craft workshops.
The event was made possible thanks to funding from Truro BID and the kind support of The Royal Cornwall Museum.
Written by Michael Tonkin-Jones Directed by Zoe Waters (2023) & Michael Tonkin-Jones (2024).
Cast: Jingle (2023) – Eggy Ray & Kesha Darling, Jingle (2024) – Jennie Rawling, Marzipan (2024) – Zoe Waters, Father Chirstmas – Gary Cordingley
Producer – Jasmine Cole Stage Managers – Demelza Monk & Tia-Louise Townsend
Crew: Connie Crosby, Daisy Newburnn-Munn, Izzy Wilkinson, Julie Jones, Michael Tonkin-Jones, Neal Megaw, Pete Cole, Josh Cole.
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Finding Father Christmas at The Cathedral 2! 2022
We returned to Truro Cathedral with our unique walkabout storytelling and grotto experience for families. Father Christmas is hiding in his grotto somewhere in the Cathedral and the elves need help to find him.
The event was made possible thanks to funding from Truro BID and the kind support of Truro Cathedral who agreed to host Father Christmas.
Written and Directed by Connie Crosby Cast: Jim – Tom Hayle Cat – Emily Harrison Bells – Berry Cruise Mouse – Zoe Waters Jingle – Lottie Sopher Father Chirstmas – Gary Cordingley Elves – Holly, Jasmine, Olivia and Michael from St Austell College Producer – Jasmine Cole Stage Manager – Demelza Monk Assistant Stage Manager – Tia Townsend Technician – Micheal Tonkin-Jones Crew – Hazel Cooke, Eggy Ray Photography & Videography – Neal Megaw
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Science Adventures: The Power Pickle 2021 – 2022
Our team are in a right pickle! Professor McGuffin’s ground-breaking Sub-Nuclear Optical Transmitter (S.N.O.T.) has stopped working, and it’s jeopardising the whole mission! Now it’s our job to find a way to power it! Join our intrepid scientists on an adventure like no other… Prepare to travel to the deepest depths, and soar to the highest heights! This fantastical show will explore science with fun and accessible adventure stories.
Written by Minnie Wilkinson Stories by Keith Sparrow, Nina Hills, Hannah Platts & Sara Hooppell Directed by Connie Crosby Cast: Wright – Zoe Waters / Hannah Platts / Rosie Horler Professor Von Brandt – Jamie Trotter / Charles Upton / Catrin Walker-Booth Dr Poole – Izzy Wilkinson / Cat Boote / Emily Harrison Dr Aries – Aidan Nightingale / Tom Hayle Associate Director – Michael Tonkin-Jones Producer – Jasmine Cole Assistant Producer – Holly Lovelock Stage Manager – Demelza Monk Technician – Hazel Cooke Photography & Videography – Neal Megaw Marketing Design – Keith Sparrow
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Tales from a Haunted Bookshop 2019 & 2022-2023
Funded by Arts Council England this spooky show was created for slightly older audiences of 8+. A collection of new stories written and developed by the company accompanied by puppetry, innovative lighting, and beautifully crafted animation. The show toured Cornwall in October 2019 and was set to tour nationally in 2020. After being kept on the shelf through lockdown the show is heading to Ed Fringe 2022 with Gilded Balloon.
Devised by the company with stories by Keith Sparrow, Minnie Wilkinson, Jasmine Cole & Micheal Tonkin-Jones Directed by Michael Tonkin-Jones Cast: Miss Cordelia Hemlock – Connie Crosby / Izzy Wilkinson Ransom Squelch – Keith Sparrow / Michael Tonkin-Jones Assistant Director – Minnie Wilkinson Producer – Jasmine Cole Stage Manager – Demelza Monk Crew – Hazel Cooke Photography & Videography – Neal Megaw Marketing Design – Keith Sparrow
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Jack Frost 5: Lost in Time 2021
Our 6th Winter show, this time with the theme of time travel! Jack Frost got himself lost and we needed some help to find him! Four new stories were written by the company and the show was made to be performed both indoors and outdoor promenade.
Young performers from St Austell Launch course where cast in supporting roles, given them a fantastic opportunity to gain skills in live performance. Kindly funded by FEAST Cornwall and Truro BID the show toured to Cornwall in Dec 2022
Written by Jasmine Cole Stories by Catherine Siddall, Hannah Platts, Michael Tonkin-Jones & Keith Sparrow Directed by Michael Tonkin-Jones Cast: Jack Frost – Keith Sparrow The Snow Queen – Nina Hills Constable Celia Elf – Catrin Walker-Booth Constable Celia Elf (understudy) – Cat Boote Elves – Lottie Sopher, Tash Humphreys, Jasmine Squires Postman – Meg Lewsey
Producer – Jasmine Cole Stage Manager – Demelza Monk Assistant Stage Manager – Tia Townsend Crew – Helen Blight, Maya Clarke, Karen Pirie Music by Jupiter Creatives Poster Illustration – Keith Sparrow Photography & Videography – Neal Megaw
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Finding Father Christmas at The Cathedral 2021
A walk-about Father Christmas experience inside Truro Cathedral, incorporating storytelling, singing and a grotto. Children helped our cat and mouse find Father Christmas and received a gift from him! This show was kindly funded by Truro BID.
Written by Jasmine Cole Stories by Catrin Walker-Booth & Kate Stebbing-Allen Directed by Connie Crosby Cast: Cat – Kate Stebbing-Allen Mouse – Zoe Waters Father Christmas – John McNeil & Gary Cordingley Elves – Phoebe Thomas, Meg Lewsey, Jasmine Squires, Lottie Sopher, Tash Humphreys Producer – Jasmine Cole Stage Manager – Demelza Monk Assistant Stage Manager – Tia Townsend Photography & Videography – Neal Megaw
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Jack’s Frosty Stories 4: Adventures Around The World 2020
Funded by Arts Council England and TruroBID the fourth edition of our JACK FROST winter show. Exclusive to Truro the show was a predominantly outdoor promenade storytelling adventure for audiences aged 5+. A collection of new stories written and developed by the company accompanied by puppetry and music. Due to Covid-19 restrictions the show was created for small socially distanced audiences.
Written by Minnie Wilkinson Stories by Minnie Wilkinson, Keith Sparrow, Jowan Jacobs, Hannah Platts & Sara Hooppell Directed by Connie Crosby & Michael Tonkin-Jones Cast: Tinsel the Elf – Rose Middleton Jingle the Elf – Connie Crosby, Jowan Jacobs & Jamie Trotter Mittens the Elf – Adam Trembath The Snow Queen – Nina Hills Sparky the Elf – Maya Clarke Kara – Zoe Waters Cookie the Elf – Aidan Nightingale Ginger the Elf – Helen Blight Jack Frost – Keith Sparrow Producer – Jasmine Cole Stage Manager – Demelza Monk Crew – Hazel Cooke & Izzy Wilkinson Puppetry Director – Mae Voogd Set Design & Build – Michael Tonkin-Jones Props – Demelza Monk & Julie Jones Photography & Videography – Neal Megaw Marketing Design – Keith Sparrow
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Jack Frost’s Story-time 2020
A selection of stories from our festive shows over the years, told by Jack Frost and The Snow Queen. This show was performed as a satellite element to coincide with Jack’s Frosty Stories 3, and performed across Cornwall.
Written by the company Cast: Jack Frost – Keith Sparrow The Snow Queen – Nina Hills Producer – Jasmine Cole Music – Jupiter Creatives
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Coppice In Lockdown 2020
While the Coppice team are stuck in their various homes during Lockdown we are still finding ways to be creative.
We have recorded a series of stories from our shows, each read by a different member of the team.
Head to our Youtube Channel to listen!
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Jack’s Frosty Stories 3 2019
Funded by Arts Council England the third iteration of our winter storytelling show featured new tales and characters, specially commissioned animation and music, singing and live projection. We worked with Four2Three Projections and Jupiter Creatives to further develop the staged version and Truro BID to take the promenade show outside for the first time! The show toured Cornwall in winter 2019.
Written by Michael Tonkin-Jones Stories by Keith Sparrow, Nina-Hills, Sara Hooppell & Michael Tonkin-Jones Directed by Michael Tonkin-Jones Cast: Jack Frost – Keith Sparrow Jack Frost Understudy – Michael Tonkin-Jones The Snow Queen – Nina Hills The North Star – Connie Crosby Head Elf – Catherine Siddall Elves – Harry Brewer, Jasmine Cole, Jasper Knight & Jamie Trotter Producer – Jasmine Cole Stage Manager – Demelza Monk Crew – Izzy Wilkinson Animation by Holly Summerson Music by Jupiter Creatives Photography & Videography – Neal Megaw Marketing Design – Keith Sparrow
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Science Adventures 2018
Combining storytelling, interactive elements, puppets, music and silliness this Arts Council funded show was created in 2018. The show tells the story of the Science Fictionaries who are a group on scientist searching for the best stories about science. Unfortunately disaster strikes when their collection is destroyed and they need the audiences help to get their stories back. A fun, educational, interactive show for 5-12 year olds. The show toured Cornwall in Summer 2018 and again in Spring/Summer 2019, before heading to Plymouth Fringe, London venues and Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Written by Michael Tonkin-Jones Stories by Keith Sparrow, Hannah Platts, Jasmine Cole & Michael Tonkin-Jones Directed by Michael Tonkin-Jones Cast: Jasmine Cole Connie Crosby Nina Hills Sara Hooppell Hannah Platts Keith Sparrow Michael Tonkin-Jones Izzy Wilkinson Minnie Wilkinson Producer – Jasmine Cole Production Assistant – Juliet O’Connor Set Design & Build – Jasmine Cole Animation – Michael Tonkin-Jones Photography & Videography – Neal Megaw
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Jack’s Frosty Stories 2017 & 2018
Funded by Arts Council England and produced specifically for The Poly Falmouth, this immersive story telling event took audiences on a tour of the building as they searched for Jack Frost. Aimed at children and families this magical story telling promenade show brought a little extra sparkle to the Poly for Christmas 2017. The show was re developed for Christmas 2018!
Written by Michael Tonkin-Jones Stories by Jasmine Cole, Hannah Platts & Michael Tonkin-Jones Directed by Michael Tonkin-Jones Cast: Polly – Connie Crosby (2017) & Demelza Monk (2018) Woodsman & Jack Frost – Keith Sparrow (2017 /2018) The Snow Queen – Nina Hills (2017) Elf Winkle – Catherine Siddall (2018) Producer – Jasmine Cole Production Assistant – Catherine Siddall Set Design & Build – Clare Summerson & Pete Cole Music – Jupiter Creatives Photography – Thom Axon
Coppice Theatre 