by Joe Bromley and Willow Nash
Giving traditional tales a whole new twist! Introducing storytelling with a dash of PSHE, a hint of history… and not a wishy-washy princess in sight. This show supports and celebrates literacy. Perfect for World Book Day and National Storytelling Week celebrations – and Christmas!
“Our children loved the creative and very inspiring visit from Really Big Pants… an amazing adventure that was thoroughly enjoyed by our whole school. It was an exciting twist on many traditional tales and the children were totally engaged. We highly recommend Joe and Willow visiting your school!”
Miss Cox, deputy head, Willowbrook Primary
“It was ACE!”
Children’s director, Stoke Newington Literary Festival
Created for KS1 and KS2
Running time 55 minutes
Red loves bedtime stories with Grandma. As well as reading them from a book, they make up their own too. Stories with a beginning, middle and an end; goodies and baddies; adventure; excitement – and lots of ‘suddenlies’!
But one evening, as Red and Grandma settle down with ‘Once upon a time…’, they are interrupted by their neighbour, the wily Mr Wolfe, urged by his new wife to demolish Grandma’s ancient treehouse. Enraged, Grandma sends him off with his tail between his legs – back to the vain Svetlana with her passion for endless stuff, and his son, Edwin, a spoilt but lonely child, who struggles with reading and needs help with his story homework.
Edwin sees his chance to get his father’s attention and brings a faulty genie into their lives… triggering a dangerous quest and a race against time!
Can Red inspire Edwin to be a) Adventurous, b) Brave and c) Courageous?
Will Edwin ever get the attention he needs from his dad?
And will Svetlana finally accept that Perky Purple hair dye will never be the new black?!
Join the battle to save Grandma’s treehouse! Meet a magic mirror! Persuade a bird of paradise to lay an egg! Learn about the importance of friendship and why ‘stuff’ doesn’t always have to be bought. And there’ll be a trip on a flying carpet!
This show is a springboard into learning for the new primary curriculum, focusing on literacy. SUDDENLY…! provides a thorough entry point into storytelling, using traditional tales and PSHE, history and nature. Our resource pack for teachers is bulging with discussion points and activities in art, drama and physical education for use prior to and following our performance.
Pre-show activity
Grandma will need all the help she can get sorting out that faulty genie! She’s going to try a spell from a very special book but it calls for LOTS of voices… can you help her by learning it before the show and remembering to say it with her when she needs you? You’ll be just like actors learning their lines for a play! Here it is:
Share, care, try your best
Mind your manners and wear your vest
It all comes back to the A B C
Be the hero of your own story!
Plus we can provide a pants (really big ones) template as an optional pre-show craft activity. The children can decorate them for Grandma and hang them on washing lines in our playing space before we arrive. We have performed under some marvellous displays!
SUDDENLY…! is also available as a chapter book! We’ve adapted it into a short story and added two further adventures for Grandma and Red, with glorious illustrations by Rosie Alabaster throughout, and presented in a dyslexia-friendly format. The book can be bought from us at events, and is stocked in Chicken & Frog, Stoke Newington Bookshop, Burway Books, Sevenoaks Bookshop, Foyles or Waterstones.
A ‘non-stop adventure featuring delicious wordplay’ (Kentish Towner) – SUDDENLY…! is also a ‘rip-roaring’ audiobook! Can you spot all the objects in Grandma’s hair on the cover, illustrated by Rosie Alabaster? Published by Strathmore, it’s available in Waterstones, Haslemere Bookshop and Owl Bookshop. And you can currently download it for FREE on the Cloudaloud app!
During the lockdown of spring 2020, we wrote and shared a story featuring Grandma and Red called EVEN SUDDENLIER…!, where they teamed up with Bevan Enaitchess to battle Mr Covid and his daughter Corona. You can read it for free here! A really big thank you to everyone who sent in illustrations and suggestions for character names.
For the live show, please may we have:
A parking space for our car
Access to a plug socket
An hour in the space beforehand to set up, and at least 30 minutes afterwards to pack away
Lots of brilliant kids in the audience!
We also have an online version of this show – head to our ONLINE SHOWS page for all the details!
“What a wonderful show! Such enthusiasm, creativity and warmth. We thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you”
Parent, Stratford Literary Festival
“We honestly had such a wonderful experience with you both, all the children LOVED the show and were so excited when they returned to their class to find out they have their own class copies of the book! They were engaged throughout and us adults enjoyed the show just as much so thank you! A wonderful idea and concept that provides a little bit of magic for children and reading!”
Mrs Dockerill, Y5 teacher, Hilltop Junior School
“Thank you SO much! The BookFest ‘buzz’ was brilliant because of your talent, creativity and energy. We can’t wait to see you again”
Linton Children’s Book Festival
“We were completely mesmerised, you were incredible!”
Jacq and Wills Landscapes, sponsors, Linton Children’s Book Festival
“Loved it! Thank you very much for a wonderful performance – can’t wait to read the book!”
Olivia, age 6, and mum, Linton Children’s Book Festival
“Really interactive and engaging. The kids loved it! Highly recommended”
Lydia, Bubble & Squeak at Old Oak Community Centre
“Fantastic show. Full of variety, very creative and smartly done!”
Mum, Lyric Hammersmith
“Fabulous show – brilliant! Superb!”
Amanda, mum, Lyric Hammersmith
“Absolutely fabulous!”
Harry, age 8, and Kelly, Hazlitt Theatre
“From Reception to Y6, the children have had great fun watching and participating in a Really Big Pants theatre production this morning as inspiration for the Summer Reading Challenge“
School librarian, St Stephen’s Primary
“SUDDENLY…! enthralled our whole school from the littlest Y1 to the coolest Y6. Full of fun and energy with some great messages about the joy of reading and looking out for your friends, we loved Really Big Pants. Joe and Willow are amazing”
Senior Senco assistant, St Richard’s CE Primary
“Thank you once again for a wonderful afternoon. The children thoroughly enjoyed it and it was lovely to see them so engaged and enthusiastic!”
Phase leader, Long Ridings Primary
“That was awesome!”
Deputy headteacher, Soho Parish Primary
“Today was a brilliant success and the kids absolutely loved the show. Thank you”
BookTrust, Pyjamarama
“An amazing play! A fantastic afternoon enjoyed by all. What a great start to book week!”
Headteacher, Blackmore Primary
“Such energy on the stage! So so impressed! Thank you – my children adored it”
Annie, Alex, Lyra and Midge, Dulwich Village Christmas Stocking
“Superb. I especially liked the invisible genie. I saw him quite vividly!”
Leon’s mommy, Dulwich Village Christmas Stocking
“All the children were entranced, enthralled, giggling, learning… Really Big Pants are ridiculously fun whilst being educational throughout their show. Such a great fit for Beanstalk BookFest 2018 – we are so grateful for their time and energy!”
Beanstalk area manager, Beanstalk BookFest
“You are legendary!!! Super super super amazing!!!”
Y1, Danegrove Primary, Beanstalk BookFest
“A for Amazing
B for Brilliant
C for Crackingly fun!!
Cannot wait to bring this into schools so more children can laugh and enjoy this wonderful story. The most engaging 50 mins I’ve had in a long time!”
Lillie McCotter, The Reading Room
“Ladies, you are super duper! Thanks for letting me be the brake on the magic carpet! Second time seeing the show”
Helen, parent, Brentwood Children’s Literary Festival
“Great show – LOVED the environmental education aspect!”
Christen, parent, Brentwood Children’s Literary Festival
“The children absolutely loved it – brilliant! Come back next year!”
Mr Cooper, deputy head, Heathmere Primary; organiser of Roehampton Reads festival
“I loved that! Absolutely brilliant! You girls were great”
Grandma Kelly, Roehampton Reads festival
“I wish I had Really Big Pants…”
Tony, Alligator’s Mouth Children’s Bookshop at Roehampton Reads festival
“Wow! An amazing performance. The children were thoroughly engaged from start to finish – even Year 6 who are a tough audience. Excellent humour for all ages. You really did bring the story to life and I can’t thank you enough. Please come back and work with us on World Book Day!”
Mrs Handley, deputy head, Bourton Meadow Academy at Buckingham Literary Festival
“Fabulous performance kept over 400 Y3-Y6 children rapt for an hour. The magic of storytelling! Thank you for opening BuckLitFest 2018!”
Festival co-ordinator, Buckingham Literary Festival
“It was funny and creative and excellent”
Harley, Y3, Bourton Meadow Academy at Buckingham Literary Festival
“That was sooooooo amazing. Can we see it again?”
7yo, Grasmere Primary at Stoke Newington Literary Festival
“I very much liked the part where we all joined in with the magic words!”
Siri, Y2, William Patten Primary at Stoke Newington Literary Festival
“I enjoyed it so much, we played it ourselves at lunchtime”
Mia, Y2, Highover Primary
“It was so, so funny! Please can you do another one?”
Maeve, Reception, Highover Primary
“I feel excited now to read the book!”
Jack, Y2, Highover Primary
“A stupendous performance for World Book Day”
English co-ordinator, Bevington Primary
“Tremendously enjoyed a marvellous performance. Can’t recommend the show enough and so looking forward to getting lost in the book when we get home! Inspiring work, such huge talent!”
School governor and parent, Belmont Primary
“The best show we’ve ever had! Moved me to tears”
Y2 teacher, Southfield Primary
“The best story in the whole wide world!”
7yo, Redbridge Children’s Storytelling Festival
“A tour de force!”
Festival co-ordinator, Beanstalk BookFest
“Show was great! Children were so engaged and loved it. Funny for adults too. Thank you!”
Pooles Park Primary at Beanstalk BookFest
“The children were enthralled”
Monkfrith Primary at Beanstalk BookFest
“Thank you for having us, it was really funny and I liked it when we could participate”
Lynden, Y6, Sacred Heart Primary at Beanstalk BookFest
“So clever considering there were just two actors and a few props portraying many characters! Great audience interaction and involvement. The CD is just as funny as the show! #TeamSvetlana!”
Parent, Courtyard Arts Centre
“You rock! I am so encouraged to read more”
Hannah, age 8, Brentwood Children’s Literary Festival
“Thank you so much for being part of our festival – you were fantastic!”
Natasha, organiser, Brentwood Children’s Literary Festival
“What a rare pleasure it was to have Really Big Pants perform for us. Keeping a school entertained from Reception to Year 6 is quite a feat, but the show had a rapt audience. So much content that can be explored in the classroom… a real must-see!”
Mrs Roberts, Y3 teacher, Cheapside Primary
“It was great! The storyline was fun to follow and the characters were very unique. I would give it 10/10!”
Colette, age 11, Barnes Children’s Literature Festival
“Classic British nonsense. Loved it :)”
Parent, Barnes Children’s Literature Festival
“We loved the show – the children were spellbound! What a fantastic, energetic and hilarious performance!”
Parent, Chiddingstone Castle Literary Festival
“Awesome! We were in stitches!”
Parent, Chiddingstone Castle Literary Festival
“Spellbound from the start… it’s thoroughly entertaining, but there’s also a strong educational aspect to the show… performed with infectious energy and enthusiasm”
FULL REVIEW
Theatre Things
“I love this show, it has inspired me to write my own stories and plays”
Tilly, age 9, Cockpit Theatre
“You’re both brilliant! Thank you for giving us such joy and making us all laugh. The children loved it!”
Suzanne, aunt, Cockpit Theatre
“Hilarious, full of energy, and great lessons for life. And we listened to the audiobook as soon as we got back, and loved it”
Fay, parent, Cockpit Theatre
“We had a great time and thank you so much for your boundless energy! It has been a fabulous World Book Day for children big and small!”
Mrs King, Y2 teacher and literacy co-ordinator, Dulwich Village Infants’
“A big thank you – the show was great and the children really enjoyed it. Hope you will return to Melcombe!”
Miss Frost, Y1 teacher and literacy co-ordinator, Melcombe Primary
“Amazing performance and a deep moral behind. It touched me. Very well done”
Marianna, parent, Waterstones Chiswick
“Very funny and a big adventure”
Elia, age 7, ArchWay With Words Book Festival
“FANTASTIC. Funny, educational and engaging – a great hour for the kids”
Parent, Chiswick Book Festival
“Really funny writing and performances! Adults loved it as much as the kids. Encore!”
Harriet, parent, Chiswick Book Festival
“We had such a great time! My child really enjoyed the show and so did I!!”
Blanca, parent, Karamel Kids
“Amazing! You are such wonderful storytellers. The staging and movement across the floor as well as your acting and audience interaction is fantastic. We’ll come again and again until my children outgrow you!”
Amy, parent, Watermill Theatre
“It made me very happy”
Emily, age 5, Watermill Theatre
“Brilliant! It’s the second show we have seen by you and it didn’t disappoint. Keep making great shows!”
Parent, Watermill Theatre
“We’d love to work with you again – it was wonderful! Perfect for the Summer Reading Challenge”
Staff, Hammersmith Library
“The children really loved the performance – it was great sitting where I was near the front because you could see all of their rapt faces! The teachers all enjoyed it too!”
Miss Anson, deputy head, St Gabriel’s Primary
“We definitely want you back! The children were so into it… the looks on their faces!”
Miss Weitzman, Y6 teacher, Lena Gardens Primary
“Years 3-6 were utterly gripped… the children all loved the performance especially the fact they didn’t just sit back and watch, instead they all had the opportunity to get involved with actions and sound effects. The hall was filled with laughter and wonder!”
Miss O’Donnell, Y4 teacher, St Boniface Primary
“Huge thanks for bringing SUDDENLY…! to Oaklands as part of our Reading Week. We LOVED it!”
Ms Packham, deputy head, Oaklands Primary
“Fantastic… supported the love of reading and telling stories – perfect for our book week! All the children absolutely loved the show”
Miss Castle, Y6 teacher, Oaklands Primary
“What a wonderful mix of performing arts and literacy for children, I can’t wait to see what they have in store for us on their next visit”
Nana, KS2 teacher, Avondale Park Primary
“I didn’t think that only two people could keep Year 3 entertained for an hour, let alone Year 6 and the teachers, but every time I looked around the assembly was in stitches and applause. I could have watched all afternoon”
Debbie, KS2 teacher, Avondale Park Primary
“SUDDENLY…! has got to be the funniest play ever, and it taught me to make sure I always have good manners”
Julie, age 6, Avondale Park Primary
“A thoroughly enjoyable show that acts as a great springboard into storytelling and creative writing”
Matt, Reception teacher, Gospel Oak Primary
“Well presented for the age range and kept the children’s attention brilliantly. We did some writing afterwards that was superb! Great stimulus for further activities”
Toby, KS1 teacher, Gospel Oak Primary
“I really liked that they were in their pyjamas and when my friend got to be in the show as the postman”
Hanna, Y1, Gospel Oak Primary
“It was great how they changed their voices and their expressions to become lots of different characters”
Tye, Y2, Gospel Oak Primary
“SUDDENLY…! put a unique spin on familiar and much-loved stories, and the children were both engaged and entertained. I would definitely recommend the show to schools and libraries”
Sumbo, events co-ordinator, Primrose Hill Library
“I have never laughed so much at a children’s play. The acting was captivating and witty. An excellent show for the whole audience”
Dani, parent, Lauderdale House
SUDDENLY…! audiobook reviews
“VERY funny… it was great!”
Tom T, age 8, Mango Bubbles Books
“Captivating, exciting and unforgettable”
Alison Steadman, actress and children’s author
“An exhilarating tale with the twist that we’ve come to expect from the excellent Really Big Pants”
Teresa Gallagher, children’s voice artist (Thunderbirds, Amazing World of Gumball, Octonauts)
