The Curious Rat

A big adventure for a small city rat.

The Curious Rat tells the story of Lucien, a lonely city rat who watches the pigeons from his home under Waterloo Bridge and wishes he could join them in the sky. One day he spots the most beautiful pigeon and takes his first brave steps to follow her into the lights of the big city…

A poignant and poetic tale to inspire children and adults alike. Playfully combining puppetry and animated projection, this story encourages audiences to celebrate the things that make them unique.

Recommended for ages 3-8.

04 May – 21 Jul 2024

A co-production with Little Angel Theatre, supported by Arts Council England.

Please get in touch if you are interested in booking the show for your venue.

Listen to the audio play here:

The Curious Rat Credits

Written by Chloe Stephens and Miles Mitchell

Performed by Ajjaz Awad and Miles Mitchell
Devised by the company

Director – Chloe Stephens
Assistant Director – Juliet Jordan
Puppet Design and Puppetry Direction – Matt Hutchinson
Set and Costume Design – Helen Coyston
Associate Designer – Eve Oakley
Music and Sound – Luke Thomas
Lighting Design – Aaron Dootson
Animations – Joe Clark at Oh Studio
Production Video – PJ McEvoy
Access Consultant – Flossie Waite
Develop Your Creative Practice Researcher – Sophie Rivlin

Stage Managed by Victoria Porter

Poster illustration by Frann Preston-Gannon

With special thanks to Ajjaz Awad for her support and contributions throughout the life of this project

Many thanks to Arts Council England for their generous support through grants for the arts

Audio Play Credits

Performed by Ajjaz Awad and Miles Mitchell
Directed by Chloe Stephens and Julia Lewis
Sound Design by James Nicholson
Recorded at Morley Radio by Camilo Salazar and Kody Wilson
Produced by Page One Theatre

Lucien’s Calypso was written by Una McMahon with underscore from Tiki Tiki.

A special thank you for the original music from Chris Elven of the Morley Big Band, and to Portico Quartet for the use of their song Prickly Pear.

This recording of The Curious Rat is dedicated to Samuel Shenoda.

Production Development

The Curious Rat is based on Page One’s first ever play The Bridge. This original performance was first developed in 2012 with support from the Unicorn Theatre’s Emerge programme, Arts Council England and Chelsea Theatre.

Written by Miles Mitchell and Chloe Stephens, devised by the company

Director: Chloe Stephens
Performers: Miles Mitchell, Phoebe Haines, Fisayo Akinade, Charlotte Hawker, Simon Lyshon, Ajjaz Awad, Miles Yekinni, Rhiannon Wallace, Laura Dewey, Clark Edwards, Josie Dunn and Elliot Hadley
Associate Directors: Davina Freedman and Flossie Waite
Puppetry: Matt Hutchinson
Design: Emily Harwood
Sound: James Nicholson
Projection: Alice Dunseath
Movement: Stefanie Sommer
Illustration: Frann Preston-Gannon

The Bridge was performed at the Rose Theatre for the International Youth Arts Festival, the Dugdale Centre for the Mimetic Festival and at Chelsea Theatre. It is now an audio play recorded by Morley Radio.