Touring in 2025/6 – suitable for community spaces, libraries, nurseries.

A Raven visits a young girl. Why are the birds gathering? And what is the secret that Ada learns about her past?

This is inspired by the Brothers Grimm fairy tale of the same name. It tells the story of Ada, who is visited by a Raven. She is thrust into a dream world of quests, feathers, and a Glass Mountain. The audience embarks on a tiny world adventure over an extraordinary, felted landscape. Ada unlocks the secret the Raven is trying to tell her.

The entire story takes place within a suitcase.

The Seven Ravens is a tiny show for 6 to 9 year olds and their adults. It uses storytelling, object theatre, puppetry, and poetry. Everything is presented within a handcrafted mini-world. This world is made from recycled art materials, felted merino wool, and other found objects.

The introduction to the story is gentle and designed to help the children relax and feel comfortable enough to draw closer to the suitcase. The performance lasts about 25 minutes and there is a Q&A at the end with an opportunity for the audience to look at the puppets, to handle some of them and to ask any questions they may have.

Co-written and directed by Freda O’Byrne and Rebecca Kilbey  with puppetry direction by Stacey Mitchell Suitcase design and felted settings and puppets created by Freda O’Byrne, Ada puppet made by Keith Frederick. Felted leaves by Anni Tait.

Space Requirements

It requires a small space – is suitable for schools, libraries, nurseries, community centres, theatre studios etc. This is also an ideal companion piece for The Little Toy – a show for 3-5s. Enquiries: Sheena Miller: sheena@ruraltouringagency.co.uk

Testimonials

“The show was intimate, gentle and immersive, like being welcomed into an exquisitely crafted world. I’d love to see more!”

Smethwick Puppetry Festival parent

“That was very beautiful, it made me want to cry”

parent of child

“I have a question, how did she get into space?”

5 year old audience member

“I loved the tiny world – it draws you in “.

Audience member

Thank you – that was really great – can we see how the puppet was made? It is so expressive

Audience interaction