Interview with Soap Soup Theatre

This half term break, Soap Soup Theatre bring The Pixies’ Scarf to Theatre Tropicana in Weston – a theatrical treat for children and their families, set in the wet, craggy lands of Dartmoor. Becky chats to Soap Soup’s Artistic Director and Producer, Tomasin Cuthbert

 

We’re excited that you’re bringing your colourful family show to Theatre Tropicana. Have you visited the Trop before?
We are thrilled to be coming too! Yes, I was brought up in Winscombe, so when I was a child we used to go to the Tropicana to go in the pool back in the 80s before it shut down! I also designed ‘Beneath the Blizzard’ by Fine Chisel which came to the Trop earlier this year. We are very excited about performing there, as Weston was my old stamping ground until I moved to Bristol and set up Soap Soup Theatre.

 

The Pixies’ Scarf is set in Dartmoor, how do you represent all that wildness?
I don’t want to give too much away, so all I’ll say is that The Pixies have their own special way of creating Dartmoor – you’ll have to come and see the show to find out!

 

Dicky finds her beautiful and enchanted world whilst out picking whortleberries with her Grandmother. What’s one of those then? Have you ever tried one?
A whortleberry is an old fashioned name for a Bilberry – they are small and blue, and look a lot like Blueberries. I’ve never tried one – Grandma always eats them all before we can get a look in

 

Is the Queen of the Pixies a big old meanie?
The Queen of the Pixies is The Green Goddess – she sees all, she knows all, and she hears all – all with the power of her magical scarf. You’d get mean if someone nicked your magical scarf wouldn’t you?

 

Your puppets are gorgeous! Who makes them? How many are in the show?
Aw thank you! I made these puppets. There are 3 puppet characters in show, Grandma, Dicky Bundle and his Dad, as well as some shadow puppets and of course a beautiful magical scarf puppet. There are actually 3 magical scarf puppets in the show – a tiny one, a medium size one and a big one! The main scarf puppet was made by my mums friend Baerbel, who is an old family friend. She makes gorgeous silky scarves and we knew she was the perfect person to ask to make our very special scarf for the show.

 

What do children love most about The Pixies’ Scarf? Where are you going next?
They love the magic, the funny pixies and puppets. There is a surprise ending to the show which again – I’m not going to say too much, but it has people talking about the show for days afterwards! We are very proud of the end of the show – it’s a real magical treat, and we can’t wait to share it with everyone in good old Weston-Super-Mare! After Weston, we are going to Clevedon Theatre Shop, and then The Lyric in Bridport. If you want to find out dates for the rest of the our tour, have a look on our calendar which you can find on our website www.soapsouptheatre.com

 

The Pixies’ Scarf shows at Theatre Tropicana on May 31st and June 1st. You can buy tickets on line from TFT or in person at The Bay Cafe, Weston

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