Frankenstein, Tales of Birbal, Secret Keeper, He Ain't Heavy
Welcome My Son—Frankenstein – tour starts 6 October
Artistically ambitious Welcome My Son—Frankenstein looks at Mary Shelley's Frankenstein using the disciplines of Chinese Pole and Physical Theatre.
The events of this classic story are seen from the monster's perspective to look at the timeless themes of isolation, loneliness, conformity and prejudice.
The show is written and performed by Phil Hardie with creative consultation from Grid Iron's Ben Harrison and Physical Theatre performer Al Seed.
This tour of Scotland is presented by Spotted Stripes Truffle Pig and The Kitten Has Claws.
Welcome My Son—Frankenstein visits Byre Theatre St Andrew's, Harbour Arts Irvine, Assembly Roxy Edinburgh, Macrobert Arts Centre Stirling, Platform Glasgow, Cumbernauld Theatre, SEALL Isle of Skye, Harbour Arts Greenock and MacArts Galashiels.
Tales of Birbal – tour starts 8 October
Chiming with the widespread celebrations to mark the 70th anniversary of Indian independence, Tales of Birbal is to tour courtesy of Mashi Theatre.
A collection of fables from past generations shared by Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs across the Indian sub-continent, the stories are presented for all ages over six using humour, puppetry, music and the occasional fake beard.
The show sees two travelling storytellers, Mashi and Bhanji, tired of pulling their wooden cart stop for lunch and it is not long before they recreate the tales of the great Mughal King Akbar and his wise companion, Birbal.
The cast is made up of Simran Kular and Shipra Jain Khanna.
Tales Of Birbal is by Sayan Kent from an original concept by Trina Haldar, artistic director of Mashi Theatre which presents diverse work within the performing arts, particularly for young people. British-Asian clarinetist Arun Ghosh is the musical director and puppetry direction is by Sue Pyecroft.
Tales Of Birbal played Brighton Festival earlier this year.
The tour visits Key Theatre Peterborough, South Holland Centre Spalding, Derby Theatre, Patrick Centre Birmingham Hippodrome, Melton Mowbray Library, Oakham Library, Oadbury Library, Highfields Library, Beeston Library Nottingham, Mulberry and Bigland Green Centre London and Cambridge Junction.
As part of the Big Imaginations Festival: Touchstones Rochdale, Burnley Youth Theatre, Unity Theatre Liverpool, Spot On Lancashire: Kingsfold Library Penwortham, The Astley Cheetham Gallery Stalybridge, Theatre Delicatessen Sheffield, The Dukes Lancaster, The Bureau Blackburn, CRTA: Tarvin Community Centre Cheshire, Z-arts Manchester and The Boo Rossendale.
The Secret Keeper – tour starts 11 October
The Secret Keeper by Angela Clerkin is an original fairytale for adults.
In it Clerkin, an associate artist with Improbable and Chris Goode & Co, adopts a gothic flair with kooky songs and sharp wit to tell a story about truth, privacy and responsibility. The music is by Nick Powell.
Clerkin joins Niall Ashdown and Hazel Maycock in the cast and co-directs with Lucy J Skilbeck whose recent credits include Joan and Bullish.
When a father confides a dark secret to his daughter, a great weight lifts from his shoulders. But the consequences of the whole town sharing their confidences with her are greater than he could have imagined.
The Secret Keeper is presented by ClerkinWorks and London's Ovalhouse where the tour starts. It then visits Stantonbury Theatre, Warwick Arts Centre, Greenwich Theatre, The North Wall, Theatre Royal (The Drum), Curve Theatre, Little Theatre and Corn Exchange.
He Ain't Heavy – tour starts 12 October
In He Ain't Heavy, writer and performer Grania Pickard uses physical theatre, aerial circus, audience interaction, storytelling and puppetry to recreate what it was like growing up with her disabled autistic brother.
This short tour visits Hull Truck Theatre, Trinity Centre Bristol, Jacksons Lane London and The Lowry Salford Quays. Relaxed performances take place at all venues.