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
★★★★.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
R&D Audience Thoughts/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
Special Thanks to…
The Voice/Vision Holocaust Survivor Oral History Archive
The Voice/Vision Holocaust Survivor Oral History Archive have kindly given us access to their archives. The oral history testimonies captured have been instrumental in supporting the creation of the show and making sure that the truth of the history of the Kindertransport events are reflected. During the show we use real verbatim clips from Kindertransport children and huge thanks to the University of Michigan-Dearborn for granting us permission to use this fantastic resource. You can visit it here: https://holocaust.umd.umich.edu/
The Sir Nicholas Winton Memorial Trust
The Sir Nicholas Winton Memorial Trust has given us special permission to use an original image of one of Sir Winton’s pieces of paperwork. The image shows a list of the Czech-Jewish children and the location, names and addresses of where they were housed across the UK. To read more about the trust, please visit https://www.nicholaswinton.com/
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.
Arbor the Tree
Part Man. Part Tree. 17 feet tall. Meet Arbor.
Follow Arbor as he strides around the streets, vanishing between trees and emerging with his cart full of tree seeds. Arbor tells the story of a tree pushed from his home and his fight to preserve his future. Encouraging the audience to plant and nurture their own trees, Arbor will give each person some seeds to take home, leaving a legacy that will last for generations. Arbor is a visually stunning show with lots of lovable puppets.
“It was a really nice touch that they hand out saplings to children at the end, it gives them something sustainable and environmental to think about.” – Derby Telegraph