Mrs Armitage on Wheels

“What this bike needs…,’ says Mrs Armitage.

If you could change anything on your bicycle, what would it be? A comfy new saddle? An ice cream maker? Rocket boosters?

When Mrs Armitage goes out for a ride with her trusty dog Breakspear, she decides her bicycle needs improvement. With a new horn, a picnic hamper…and a sail, will Mrs Armitage be able to keep her bicycle in one piece or will her crazy contraption prove too much to handle?

Adapted from Quentin Blake’s classic tale, Scoot Theatre present a 40-minute interactive, energetic show, celebrating the joy of getting outdoors and being active. Featuring live music, puppetry and physical comedy, we celebrate the power of imagination, the importance of resilience and the joy of embracing the great outdoors.

Partnering with Farnham Maltings and Arts Partnership Surrey, Scoot Theatre have developed Mrs Armitage on Wheels as a touring production through collaborative theatre workshops in several Surrey schools and nurseries. Developing the story with early years and primary children has created a highly physical, almost non-verbal performance, drawing heavily on clowning and playfulness. The piece is accessible on many levels, with wide audience appeal.

Mrs Armitage on Wheels has been adapted for the BBC, watch the animated special and others from ‘Quentin Blake’s Box of Treasures’ on BBC iPlayer.

Suitable for ages 3+ and their grown-ups

Credits

Created by Scoot Theatre and produced by Farnham Maltings.

Original Story – Quentin Blake

Director – Max Hutchinson
Creative Consultant – Nel Crouch
Composer – Phil King
Designer – Harry Pizzey

Images: Artwork from Mrs Armitage on Wheels by Quentin Blake published by Red Fox. Copyright © Quentin Blake, 1987. Reprinted by permission of Penguin Books Limited

Production shots: Richard Howell Photography

Original music composed by Phil King