Written by Joyce Dunbar. Adapted by David Farmer. Original music by Francis Goodhand (script available).
45 minutes. Performed by two actors and a musician. Suitable for 3-7 year olds.
Presented by Tiebreak Theatre Company
Directed by Dianne Hancock.
Appeared at the New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich
13th – 31st December 2005 and extensive UK schools and theatre tour in Spring 2006.
'Truly a flatshare made in heaven... These humorous stories, adapted by David Farmer, make a cockle-warming valedictory show for Tiebreak Theatre Company. Liberal scatterings of boisterous play, whoops, squeaks and songs on stage prompt matching outbreaks of exuberance among the audience.'
- Time Out, March 2006.
'Characters that stand alongside the greats of children’s literature. Perfectly judged humour, perfectly paced dialogue.'
- The Sunday Telegraph.
'The BEST children's performance I have ever seen - and we do go to the theatre with Matilda our daughter (age 4) a LOT! Thankyou!'
- Audience comment at Warwick Arts Centre.
This sparkling new adaptation by David Farmer invites you to enter the delightful world of sensible Mouse and impulsive Mole. These two amiable animal companions go about their playful adventures, from dancing amongst the autumn leaves to greeting the first daffodil of spring - and nearly bumping into Father Christmas on the way.
This 45-minute show gently explores the joys and problems of friendships. Poignant, lyrical and bursting with warm humour and beautifully written stories, Mouse and Mole is a special treat for young audiences.
Mouse and Mole is the theatrical premiere of the popular stories by Joyce Dunbar. Based on the picture books (and television series featuring Alan Bennett and Richard Briers), this adaptation was David Farmer's farewell gift to Tiebreak. Audiences will love these two amiable animal companions and their everyday adventures, told with gentle humour, warmth and wit.
Joyce Dunbar has written over 60 books for children and is winner of the Guardian Children's Book of the Year award.
Review in The Stage 7 March 2006
'Mouse and Mole marks the end of an era - 25 years of entertaining children in fact - and if this imaginative offering is anything to go by, the company is sure to be missed. David Farmer adapts Joyce Dunbar’s original tales with the story tracing a year in the life of housemates Mouse and Mole, beginning at Christmas and jumping from one adventure to another as the seasons change. Adding magic and atmosphere is onstage harpist Xenia Horne (music is composed by Francis Goodhand) while designer Kerry Bradley cleverly creates each different environment via props discovered in all four corners of the stage.'
by Lisa Martland
