THE SAVAGE (original story by David Almond).
Adapted for the stage by Jenifer Toksvig
Director Thomas Hescott
Composer Nick Sutton
Set & Costume Design James Button
Lighting Design Richard Howell
Cast Sumit Chakravarti, Amani Dauda, Terry Dixon, Laura Green, Kitty Grew, Rory Grew, Jessica Onipede, Moe Osman, Jamaine Renzulli, Ruby Tripney
Musicians Gareth Hamill, Pippa Rans, Louisa Stonehill, Carrie White
“There was a wild kid living in Burgess Woods. He had no famly and he had no pals and he didn’t know where he come from and he culdn’t talk. His weapons were old kitchen nives and forks and an ax. He was savage. He was truely wild.”
Blue Baker is writing a story – not all that stuff about wizards and fairies and happily ever after – a real story, about blood and guts and adventures, because that’s what life is really like. At least it is for Blue, since his dad died and the town bully started knocking him and the other kids about.
But Blue’s story has a life of its own – weird and wild and magic and dark – and when the savage pays a night-time visit to Hopper, Blue starts to wonder where he ends and the savage begins.
Based on the illustrated story by David Almond (Skellig), this version of The Savage is brought to life by the participants of Arcola Theatre’s Youth Opera project. For three weeks this summer, local young people have been working with music theatre professionals to devise, compose and perform this fantastical tale. They are joined on stage by four professional musicians.
