Canvas Bag Theatre

A selection of plays from past Canvas Bag Theatre performances.

Rata And The Totara Tree (Monday Thumbelina)

Script, music and direction by Felicity Williams, assisted by Hayley Johnston. Based on a Maori legend.

This is the story of Rata, an expert canoe builder who takes trees and turns them into canoes. Back then, people had to ask Tane, the God of the Forest for permission to cut down anything within his domain. In Rata's hurry he forgets this golden rule of life which leads to many mysterious and magical deeds done by the creatures of the deep forest.

Jack Frost And The Magic Paintbrush (Thursday Thumbelina)

Script, music and direction by Felicity Williams, assisted by Michelle Simons.

Everyone in fairyland is terribly excited because the Elf King has offered a fantastic reward to the person who can do the best painting. Jack knows he can win but the wicked troll is intent on sabotaging his efforts. With the help of the good fairy Crystal, a solution is found and Jack is able to make the world beautiful again.

Why The Tides Ebb And Flow (Thursday Starfleet)

Script and Music by Felicity Williams, Direction by Felicity Williams and Helen Moran. Assisted by Michelle Simons. Based on an African Story.

A stubborn old woman argues with the sky god, all because she wants a rock to pretty up her garden. She goes sailing in her stewpot over the great green ocean and ends up with more than she bargained for.

The Twelve Dancing Princesses (Tuesday Quangle Wangle)

Script, music and direction by Felicity Williams. Based on The Brothers Grimm.

Where do the princesses go every night? Many princes try to solve the riddle but it's not until Prince Michael arrives that any answer can be given to the King. Join us as we travel through magical forests of gold, silver and diamond, into an enchanted ballroom. Finally we find out how the princesses wear out their shoes and of course, there is always a happy ending.

The Witch's Revenge (Wednesday Quangle Wangle)

A devised script created by the class with direction by Lizzie Cook

A play straight out of the imaginations of the class. Parents, beware! Alter egos? A motley coven of witches and their foe, Mr Sneaky Planner, send out spies to watch each other. Do the witches get to exact their revenge? Whoops!

The Magic Drum (Saturday Thumbelina)

Written and directed by Helen Moran.

A fun story full of healthy morals and magic, which appealed to me when I heard it told by Sara Ransom on "The African Storystick", and which appealed to the children when we acted it out one lesson. Turtle's stroppy behaviour, terrifyingly recognizable, is enjoyed by us all, and he does get his come-uppance in the end!

Rumplestiltskin (Monday Starfleed)

Script and Music by Felicity Williams, Direction by Felicity Williams and Helen Moran. Assisted by Hayley Johnston. Based on The Brothers Grimm.

The miller talks too much and gets his daughter into a predicament. A mysterious goblin appears and offers to solve all her problems but there is a price to pay, which means everyone has to use their wits to outsmart the trickster.