bringing to life some of the oldest stories in the world
Wonderful Beast theatre company was founded by Artistic Director Alys Kihl in 1997, with a group of artists (including the poet Adrian Mitchell and the actor, Roger Lloyd Pack) all passionate about bringing myths, legends, folk and fairy tales to audiences of all ages, in the belief that these stories are for everyone.
Formerly based in London, performing in venues including The Rosemary Branch, Southwark Playhouse, Gate Theatre and the Almeida Theatre, we've toured the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, and taken part in the Jaipur Festival with a bilingual version of Red Riding Hood, Little Red Chunni. Music always plays a prominent role and Wonderful Beast has collaborated twice with the English Touring Opera Company, introducing opera to thousands of school children all over the UK.
The company relocated to Suffolk in 2005 and amongst its many projects commissioned two community operas, The Six Swans in 2014 and The Nightingale in 2016, in its biennial festival, Storm of Stories. Its more recent musical productions, Orla and the Sun and Orla’s Moon, for babies and toddlers, have been a huge success.
Wonderful Beast is committed to inclusivity, sharing its work with children and members of the community. Return of the Wildman and The Last Woodwose are both based on local legends which have inspired schools’ workshops led by the participating artists. Our 2019 outreach programme I Am a Woodwose involved eight Suffolk schools, volunteers from local museums and churches, woodland experts, teachers and professional artists all focusing on the theme of the ‘woodwose’ together.
Formerly based in London, performing in venues including The Rosemary Branch, Southwark Playhouse, Gate Theatre and the Almeida Theatre, we've toured the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, and taken part in the Jaipur Festival with a bilingual version of Red Riding Hood, Little Red Chunni. Music always plays a prominent role and Wonderful Beast has collaborated twice with the English Touring Opera Company, introducing opera to thousands of school children all over the UK.
The company relocated to Suffolk in 2005 and amongst its many projects commissioned two community operas, The Six Swans in 2014 and The Nightingale in 2016, in its biennial festival, Storm of Stories. Its more recent musical productions, Orla and the Sun and Orla’s Moon, for babies and toddlers, have been a huge success.
Wonderful Beast is committed to inclusivity, sharing its work with children and members of the community. Return of the Wildman and The Last Woodwose are both based on local legends which have inspired schools’ workshops led by the participating artists. Our 2019 outreach programme I Am a Woodwose involved eight Suffolk schools, volunteers from local museums and churches, woodland experts, teachers and professional artists all focusing on the theme of the ‘woodwose’ together.
core teamArtistic Director: Alys Kihl
Assistant to Alys Kihl: Emma Close-Brooks Finances: Louisa Thorp |
patronsSimon Callow CBE
Caryl Churchill Sir Ian Holm Gemma Jones Miranda Raison Dame Marina Warner Dame Penelope Wilton |
boardChair: Lucy Rowan-Robinson
Fernanda Herford Loesje Houghton Alyson Tipping |
our mission statement
Wonderful Beast is constantly expanding its vision and increasing its activities, working with an age range from birth to as old as is willing.
participation and passionWonderful Beast aims to impact on the whole community, offering high quality creative opportunities that might not normally come its way, valuing everyone’s contribution and bringing together amateurs and professionals, children and the elderly in an exhilarating shared experience. We believe in the power of participatory projects to transform lives, generate confidence, joy and well-being.
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partnershipWonderful Beast collaborates with a range of organisations including: English Touring Opera; Babergh & Mid Suffolk District Council; Snape Maltings (formerly Aldeburgh Music); Suffolk Artlink; Pro Corda; Suffolk Libraries; Creative Futures London; HighTide Festival; Association for Suffolk Museums. Its outreach work with state schools has been nationwide, focused most recently
on East Suffolk. |
performanceWonderful Beast stages a wide-ranging variety of performances for all ages, including babies. Often performing in unusual or site-specific venues, our actors, storytellers, musicians, singers and dancers contribute their gloriously diverse talents in bringing these universal stories to life. Our company has established itself as one that attracts the best practitioners in their field, whilst holding the community in its heart.
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Wonderful Beast is a registered charity, no. 1064331.
