Kinder
Escaping on a Kindertransport train, one small Czech-Jewish girl embarks on a mighty adventure.
Crossing between the past and present, Babi travels across Europe; from bon bons in Germany to the smell of the sea in Margate, she discovers how tiny acts of kindness can change the course of a person’s life.
Joyful, moving and poignant, Kinder features beautiful table top puppetry and cinematic shadow play, as Babi tries to assemble the parts of her broken identity, to find peace in her future.
Kinder is a multi-award winning, from puppetry and visual theatre company Smoking Apples. Inviting you to take a seat inside an immersive set, the story unfolds through a series of playful hatches and openings.
★★★★★ “Unmissable” – Everything Theatre
★★★★★ “A Brilliant Blend of Clever Storytelling” – Broadway World
★★★★★ ” A Symphony of Artistry” – West End Evenings
★★★★★ “A Must See Play” – Fairy Powered Productions
★★★★★ “Deeply emotional and thought-provoking” – Kat Masterson
★★★★★ “Clever and inventive, visually rich and beautifully emotive” – Always Time For Theatre
★★★★.5 “Absorbing and Touching” – The Reviews Hub
Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and Enterprise Arts Trust.
Reviews & Awards
“Unmissable” – ✮✮✮✮✮ Everything Theatre
OFFIE Winner for Theatre for Young Audiences – Original Music/Sound 2023
OFFIE Winner for Theatre for Young Audiences – Production 2023
OFFIE Finalist for Theatre for Young audiences – Writing – 2023
Ettie Award Winner for Best Theatre for Young Audiences Production – 2023
For all press enquiries, please contact Chloe Nelkin Consulting on info@chloenelkinconsulting.com
Audience Thoughts and Feedback
“Miss, can we see it in real life yea?” – Student, Rye Hills Academy
“I really like how it’s an really interesting way for audiences of instigating and engaging with current conversations about migrants and refugees too (i.e other migrant experiences beyond the Kindertransport)” – Porl Cooper, Harrogate Theatres
“The puppetry was very well controlled and the music made a massive impact on me, it was almost like my chest was collapsing” – Member, Lewisham Youth Theatre
2023 Environmental Report, Yellow Background
Buzz
A Bee-rilliant Adventure!
Join Billy Bumble as he shrinks down to bee-size and learns about the troubles that they face. Featuring spell-binding puppetry and a giant honeycomb set, join us for a whirlwind ride, avoiding grumpy Mr Fred and the gaping jaws of Shredder the dog! Buzz finishes with the audience being given wildflower seeds, to plant and help our black and yellow friends to flourish.
Created by award-winning puppetry and theatre company, Smoking Apples.
Co-commissioned by Applause Touring and Tunbridge Wells Puppetry Festival. Supported by Kent County Council.
Photo by Leyla Guler
Audience/Venue Comments
“What a fantastic series of shows! The children really loved it, was great to hear so much laughter. Thank you for making our final day so magical” – From performances at Bees and Seas Festival
“It was great to have Buzz as part of this year’s festival. Once again you have a fabulous show that the audiences love. At one point there were 500 people watching you perform which is fantastic. You’ll need a bigger venue next time!” – Alison Bundy, TWPF
British Sign Language and Access
In Summer 2024 we worked with two fabulous BSL interpreters at our National Trust performances, Emma and Monike, and we are pleased to now be able to offer BSL interpreted shows to venues and programmers when booking the show. In addition, we have our Buzz Visual Story, and a tour-able chill out space: complete with ear defenders and fidget toys.
Photos of Buzz performers with BSL interpreters (left) Emma Isted and (right) Monike Campbell
We Are More Alike
Meet The Anthologists. Some call them travellers, some collectors, some call them story and people acceptors. These two have travelled far and wide, through time and space plenty besides.
Tracking the movement of people coming to the Kentish coast since the dawn of time, join these two as they map the past, present and future of communities seeking change.
With spellbinding puppetry and striking visual theatre, join Smoking Apples and discover we’re more alike than you think we are.
Smoking Apples are an award winning puppetry and visual theatre company, partnering with KRAN, Folkestone Harbour Arm, Folkestone Museum & Ann Morgan