Open Sky Productions at The Courtyard

We will be welcoming Open Sky to The Courtyard this May with two very different productions in one week! Before they arrive we thought we’d spend some time finding out more about this Herefordshire based theatre company.

Open Sky was founded in Herefordshire in 2012 by life and creative partners Claire Coaché (Artistic Director) and Lisle Turner (Writer).

“We wanted to make work where we had chosen to live and raise our daughter, in this beautiful, peaceful, inspiring place” said Claire.

Lisle writes all of Open Sky’s shows and also runs Herefordshire based Wrapt Films. He wrote and directed the feature film Here and Now in 2014 that was shot on location in Herefordshire and which the BBC’s Mark Kermode nominated his Film of the Week. Lisle is currently casting his next feature Mal which will be shot on location around the Brecon Beacons and is developing a TV drama with Channel 4.

This Saturday, Open Sky will perform the funny, fabulous and family friendly Hairy Fairy Tails which is Open Sky’s follow up to the much loved Mighty Prince and Other Fabulous Fables that you may have caught at The Courtyard. Hairy Fairy Tails features classic fairy stories retold as never before through rhyme, song, puppetry, mime, music and magical transformations. The stories offer simple life lessons for girls and boys; be yourself, be kind and be brave. Stories include Rapunzel, The Nanny Goats Tuff, Goldilocks and the Three Bears and Janet & Tomlin. The show has already been joyfully received by children and families:

“I laughed so much water came out of my eyes” Hazel, age 6

“A brilliant production – great actors, beautifully written stories and songs with a fun, witty twist on traditional fairytales. One of the best pieces of children’s theatre we have seen to date”. Kate, mum

There are two chances for families to watch Hairy Fairy Tails on Saturday 20 May. It will be part of Courtyard Family Saturdays this week at 11am (children have the chance to create their own fairy tale before the show starts from 10.30am) and also at 2pm. Click here for more details! Check back tomorrow when we find out more about Scorched.