Charming Children’s Book is Reinvented for the Stage: The Boy Who Bit Picasso Comes to The Pound

Delegates at our New Directions showcase 2014 had a lot of fun getting into the mind-set of an audience of 5 year olds for this new show that premiers in April:

Oxford Playhouse and Untied Artists present the world premiere production of brand new family show, The Boy Who Bit Picasso at The Pound arts centre on Saturday 11 April, 2pm

The Boy Who Bit Picasso is inspired by Antony Penrose’s well-loved book. This charming children’s production follows a boy called Tony who becomes friends with Pablo Picasso, telling the true story of how Tony spent his childhood with one of the greatest artists who ever lived.

In this interactive new show, audiences are invited to take part in a variety of hands-on art and craft activities, aimed at children aged 4 to 8 and their families. There will also be storytelling and music composed by Untied Artists, as children are introduced to one of the 20th century’s most influential artists.

The Boy Who Bit Picasso is devised and directed by Jake Oldershaw, co-founder of the innovative Untied Artists theatre company. Based in Birmingham, they create diverse, engaging performance characterised by intimacy, musicality and heartfelt storytelling.

Jake (who plays Tony in the show) said “the opportunity to bring this brilliant story and book to life is a real privilege. Tony, the boy who bit Picasso, had the good fortune to enjoy the whirlwind of his creativity first hand, and I hope by recreating their relationship and inviting children of the 21st century to experience it, some of that energy and sense of wonder might just rub off a bit.”

The Boy Who Bit Picasso premiers at The Pound arts centre, Saturday 11 April, 2pm. For more information, please visit www.poundarts.org.uk