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2006
Elsie Piddock Skips in her Sleep
Summer 2006
In association with The Ashden Charitable Trust,
East Sussex Arts Partnership and Farnham Maltings, Paddock Productions presented an outdoor theatre version of Eleanor Farjeon’s classic children’s book,
Elsie Piddock Skips in Her Sleep, to family audiences
in rural communities. The performances happened
on village greens, in village festivals, and on school playing
fields throughout East Sussex.
"I wanted to write to you to tell you just how much
my two children & I enjoyed the performance of Elsie Piddock earlier this month. My daughter Maddie is 5
and had loved the story of Elsie Piddock since my
sister brought her the book a couple of years ago,
and my son Ellis is only 2 but he sat totally absorbed
for 45 minutes and that is unheard-of! Your performance brought the story to life for Maddie in a way that I could not have imagined and she has been skipping with the rope you gave her A LOT ever since - the day was a
real
memory maker for us all."
James Piddock (no relation!),
Audience Member at Bewl Water, Kent
In collaboration with English Nature, we performed
the play on top of Mount Caburn, where the story
is set.
This blustery and shower-ridden Saturday afternoon in July saw over 250 people in family
groups get out in the spectacular Sussex countryside and hike up the Mount. They were treated to not only the performance, but also nature and conservation displays, nature walks led by very knowledgeable
and experienced guides, and a picnic lunch in a
large marquee. It was a unique event, and a great profile-raiser for the conservation work of English
Nature and the Paddock. Given that the Elsie Piddock story is in large measure set upon Caburn, it was a magical setting for the performance, and one we will never forget, with the Downs providing and majestic backdrop.
“We all thought the show was absolutely delightful.
I shall keep an abiding memory of all those children skipping across the field in the evening sunlight.”
Michael Weller, Venue Manager
In total, the piece played 21 venues, to an estimated audience in the region of 2600 people. Venues ranged from school playing fields to castles, from open-air arenas to cricket pitches and public parks. We sold in excess of 200 skipping ropes to children who, inspired
by the story and characters, tried their hands at skipping, participating in skipping workshops and demonstrations led by company members.
"When I came to the final performance - for this
summer at any rate, tho' I hope not for ever! - at the Lewes Castle, I knew my faith in you was justified. It was true to Eleanor Farjeon's original intention but full
of the most imaginative and inventive ideas to enhance it and make it live for today's audience...also, it was very rewarding to find how well it worked for all ages.
I think I always knew it was a children's story that was ageless and timeless, but the whole conception realised this most affectionately, wittily and cleverly."
Anne Harvey, Executor of the Eleanor Farjeon Estate
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2005 and 2004
The Young Visiters
Autumn 2004 and Autumn 2005
In
1890 nine year old Daisy Ashford was living in
Lewes and working on her fourth novel.
In 2004,
Paddock Productions presented the first-ever live-literature production of her masterpiece, The Young Visiters, in which the book was presented word-for-word, with every delicious bit of the young prodigy’s amusing narrative voice intact.
Directed by actor Jonathan Cullen, this hilarious,
fast-moving show was first designed to be performed
in people’s private houses, and proved such a hit
that it moved on to sell out a run of Xmas shows in
a commercial venue and subsequently toured the UK, ending up in a performance at the House of Lords!
The fast-moving show involves four actors, one
folding screen, a pianist, and many, many hats,
and tells the heart-felt tale of Mr Salteena’s quest
to become a gentleman and win Ethel Monticue's love
– one of the funniest and most charming stories ever written by a nine year old.
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| 2006 Elsie Piddock Skips in her Sleep 2005 TheYoung Visitors
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| Miss Daisy Ashford Please click for more information |