Unique family show to see three new stories forged from minds of Chorley children

Make Your Own Myth – you won’t want to myth it!

A unique family show will see three new stories forged from the minds of a Chorley Theatre audience.

Award-winning theatre company Rubbish Shakespeare Company have joined forces with Silly History Boys to present the first UK tour of The Story Forge: Make Your Own Myth.

Described as an hilarious hour of high-octane adventure, stories are told through a distinctive fusion of clowning, silly storytelling, physical comedy and live music.

In the immersive, all-ages family show, two larger-than-life history professors and a live musician will make the new myths from children’s ideas.

Audiences will be led through a triptych of tales – the origin of the place they live, the creation myth of a donated item, and a hero’s journey, where an audience member will prove themselves a legend.

The Rubbish Shakespeare Company production team are adept at transposing classic stories for a young audience. Their last tour of Romeo and Juliet saw them appear at many notable venues including The Pleasance in Edinburgh, and show runs were extended at both Leeds Playhouse and London’s West End, garnering great reviews and audience feedback.

Produced to chime with Rubbish Shakespeare Company’s mission of ‘Theatre for All’, this ‘choose your own adventure tale’ was developed in response to a lack of new stories for children. Using a flexible scripted framework, each show will reflect the local community, as stories are drawn from their imaginations and experiences.

While the storyline is inspired by the ancient classics – giving audiences a recognisable starting point – each show allows children to make original stories, whilst also providing a first time performance experience for many young people.

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The Story Forge: Make Your Own Myth tour began in February. Lee Hithersay, Artistic Director of Rubbish Shakespeare Company, said: “It’s been a blast! Sharing the stage with these amazing children is incredible, you really see them light up and come alive. As a performer, this has been one of the most fun and rewarding shows I’ve ever been a part of. Honestly, the kids steal the show every time, and we wouldn’t have it any other way! They’re the real stars, not us. You really see how naturally storytelling comes to kids.

“We created The Story Forge largely because children just aren’t being exposed to enough new stories. That New National Literacy Trust study really hit home – only 35 per cent of 8 to 18-year-olds actually read for pleasure? We think a big reason is the lack of fresh, original stories out there for them. So we’re doing our bit to change that by creating three brand new stories every show!”

The Story Forge: Make Your Own Myth is on at Chorley Theatre on Saturday 10 May at 2pm. Tickets are available from TicketSource.

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