Sitting in the middle of the room is a silent but dejected figure.  When the children arrive he draws them over to play with things that are lying around and he is momentarily cheered up.  But as time passes it is obvious that something is wrong… he needs help.  He slowly begins to reveal the contents of a box sitting before him. As objects emerge short scenarios are played out, perhaps reminiscent of episodes from established stories – a King turning everything he touches to gold, or a dragon guarding treasure…

A newly-devised piece, Peep! could look something like this. It moves away from established stories, where the action is predetermined, towards a more open structure where children are able to create their own journey, play out multiple possibilities and make meaning on a number of different levels. The lines between performance and participation are blurred and the resolution of the predicament (and indeed the nature of the predicament itself) is left in the hands of the children…

This programme will support children to:

• Communicate with one another and the characters
• Interpret and comment
• Problem-solve
• Engage in creative play
• Interact socially