Hull’s youngest children are invited to snuggle up and get cosy at The Herd’s latest show, a sensory, musical adventure through the land of sleep in its final week of a six-month local tour.
Counting Sheeps, created by local Theatre Company The Herd, follows the story of two sheep who can’t get to sleep in a relatable story for babies, toddlers and the (very tired) adults in their lives.
The show includes bespoke sensory design made with babies and toddlers in mind, with opportunities for audiences to experience the show through touch and play, as well as story and music.
The show has toured into the heart of communities in Hull, travelling to 18 venues over a six-month period, to ensure as many babies, toddlers, parents and carers have the chance to experience it.
Here is what audiences have said so far:
‘The show was BEAUTIFUL, emotional, funny. Perfect for tiny ones. Flawless.’
‘Really lovely and calming show. So lovely to have something that isn’t too boisterous for babies. My baby was mesmerised.’
‘It’s such a lovely, sensory, gentle-paced show. My baby was 5 months the first time she saw it and it completely captivated her for the whole show’
The Herd’s co-artistic director, Sam Caseley, said: “As a Hull company, we love sharing our shows with children in Hull, so for this show, that’s our focus. In a show that’s all about getting comfy, we go to places where families feel comfortable – Family Hubs, Libraries, Community Centres and Schools. Hull City Council, Hull Libraries and Back To Ours have partnered with us on the show, because they believe, like us, that young families deserve brilliant artistic experiences.”
The show’s director, Ruby Thompson, said: “The show has been made by a group of brilliant artists and performers who really care about creating genuinely extraordinary experiences for very young children.
“We’ve got gorgeous live music, and plenty of sensory interaction in a show that also has a familiar storyline for adults – what on earth do you do when your child won’t go to sleep? It’s a funny, heartwarming and tactile experience for the whole family.”
The creative team behind Counting Sheeps has a wealth of experience producing high quality arts experiences for children and young people with shows, installations and projects made for The Southbank Centre, The Barbican, Tate, Hull Truck, Cast in Doncaster and Royal Exchange Manchester.
The cast includes Finlay McGuigan, who has recently appeared at The Polka Theatre and The Unicorn and Parkey Abeyratne and has done shows for Leeds Playhouse and English National Opera.
Hull actor Sophie Clay (A Super Happy Story: About Feeling Super Sad) plays a sheep alongside Stasha Dukic, (Soft or Spiky, Polka Theatre and Halfmoon Theatre).
Counting Sheeps will have played 66 times across 18 venues in Hull when it finishes its run on 13th January 2025.
Tickets are released monthly on The Herd Theatre’s website, with tickets being free or very low cost.
Counting Sheeps is funded by Arts Council England and Hull City Council, with support from Hull Libraries and Back To Ours.
Visit theherdtheatre.co.uk/countingsheeps for more details and to book tickets.
Counting Sheeps
Created by Ruby Thompson and Sam Caseley
Music by Ysabelle Wombwell
Directed by Ruby Thompson
Designed by India Harvey
Show details
Venue: Various Community Venues around Hull including Libraries, Family Hubs and Bransholme Chat
Dates: Tuesday 7th – Monday 13th January 2025
Times: 10:30am and 1pm on performance days
Tickets: Various, free in Libraries and Family Hubs
theherdtheatre.co.uk/countingsheeps
Cast
Sheep – Parkey Abeyratne
Sheep – Sophie Clay
Sheep – Stasha Dukic
Sheep – Finlay McGuigan
The Skies – Emma Bright
The Skies – Yssabelle Wombwell
The Skies – Jack Chamberlain
Creative and Production Team
Created by – Ruby Thompson and Sam Caseley
Composer – Ysabelle Wombwell
Director – Ruby Thompson
Dramaturg – Sam Caseley
Designer – India Harvey
Audience Development Producer – Hannah Everard
Company Administrator – Christie Parkin