Following the success of their project to combat local food poverty over the summer, New Vic Borderlines will be touring a spooky puppet show based on Staffordshire folktales this October half-term.
Local legends the Kidsgrove Boggart and Molly Leigh are the inspiration for the performances, which will be accompanied by a Halloween-themed activity pack and a delicious, healthy picnic box freshly made in the New Vic café.
On its previous tour, a total of 360 picnic boxes were distributed to local children and families in need across Staffordshire.
This time the project will be visiting community groups in Middleport (Monday 26 October), Biddulph (Tuesday 27 October), Newcastle (Wednesday 28 October) and Chesterton (Thursday 29 October).
Borderlines Director Sue Moffat said: “Fab Food, Fun and Folktales was a holiday hunger project that happened in the summer. It was great delivering picnic boxes to local children and families and bringing a shadow puppet version of Red Riding Hood into communities, which really lifted spirits.
“So, we thought we’d do it again for Halloween. We know how difficult things are for families at the moment and particularly for children, who at this time of year love to dress up, make lanterns and tell scary stories. For our Fab Food, Fun and Folk Tales project this time we decided to celebrate local scary folktales and so our puppeteer and writer Pippa has set the story of the Kidsgrove Boggart to rhyme and I have taken the story of the much maligned Molly Leigh and created a ballad which will hopefully put the record straight and let her at last rest in peace!”
Halloween Fab Food, Fun and Folktales will be touring across Staffordshire visiting community groups directly, for three shows a day (1.00pm, 2.30pm, and 4.00pm) from Monday 26 to Friday 30 October 2020. For more information or to book onto a performance email rreddihough@newvictheatre.org.uk or message the New Vic Borderlines Facebook page.
Show times:
1.00pm, 2.30pm, & 4.00pm daily
Locations:
Monday 26 October: Middleport Matters at St Paul’s Churchyard, Burslem
Tuesday 27 October: Biddulph Youth and Community Zone, Biddulph
Wednesday 28 October: Brampton Museum, Newcastle-under-Lyme
Thursday 29 October: Chesterton Memorial Park, Chesterton