(Illustration by Hattie Field)

Lyra lives on the marsh; running, rushing and clambering through the silt, a water explorer extraordinaire. Recently, she has noticed things don’t seem quite right, the water’s getting cloudier and even the otters don’t seem to play here anymore.

Not one to be frightened of the unknown, brave little Lyra camps out under the stars next to the river and her favourite willow tree, hoping to understand. As daylight turns to moonlight, Old Mother River comes to life, a spectacular 3 metre tall puppet, with willow hair and a beautiful creased and crinkled face. 

Together they dive into Old Mother River’s memory pool, discovering what has happened beneath the surface, and how everyone can do something, to help protect our waters.

About

Interactivity

Upstream features engaging, hands-on moments designed to captivate younger audiences. During the story, children will be invited to help our character in her quest to look after the river. Created in collaboration with experts from the River Wey National Trust and River Chess. 

After the show, audiences will have the chance to meet the puppets up close for photos and take home a small item to inspire them to continue their sustainability journey.

Visual and Artistic Appeal

At the heart of Upstream is Old Mother River, a whimsical large-scale puppet hidden within a willow tree set. Her grand reveal is a spellbinding moment designed to captivate audiences, even in bustling outdoor environments. The set, inspired by flowing water and traditional Vietnamese puppetry, is designed to captivate outdoor audiences, even in busy environments.

Lyra’s journey is brought to life with beautifully crafted animal puppets, from an otter family to a heron, all made from natural and recycled materials to highlight issues like plastic pollution. These stunning visuals are paired with an original score by award-winning composer Jon Ouin, blending British folk influences to create an unforgettable auditory experience.

Upstream is a magical, meaningful production perfect for outdoor festivals, family events, and environmentally conscious programming. With its visually arresting aesthetic, hands-on engagement, and impactful storytelling, it promises to delight audiences of all ages while inspiring them to protect our shared environment.

Upstream is in development and rehearsals from Jan – March 2025.