The Storymaker's Apprentice

The Storymaker’s Apprentice performed at Leeds Central Library in December 2022 to sell-out audiences

Do you have a magical story to tell? Tan has. She wants to tell one about a girl just like her and prove that children can tell stories, maybe even better than grown-ups. Can you help her?

Then enter the world of Barwick’s Bibliopole, makers of the finest books in town from the finest of ingredients from all around the world. The Winterlight festival is fast approaching, and the shop is busier than ever. Pick what you would like to hear and storymaker Ingleby Barwick and his apprentice, Tan, will forge, fashion, and formulate a tale exactly to your tastes (with a little help from the bookworms).

Watch as one day Tan discovers ingredients gathering dust at the back of the cupboards that are exactly what she needs to tell her own story. She realises it has been there all along, but the people have chosen not to hear it.

Ingleby also remembers his own story. Why has it been shut away inside him for so long? How can Tan help him to create a new chapter full of imagination and joy?

A heartwarming tale of tales full of beauty and wonder.

Image Credit: Nathan Towers

Image Credit: Nathan Towers

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More Info

    • “It was wonderful. And the most beautiful I've ever seen.”

    • "I have 5 yr old with autism. thank you for the quiet space."

    • "We’ve really enjoyed many previous performances at the library and this lived up to our expectations. It was brilliant. Magical. Thank you"

    • “It’s so magical!! We were transported away by the beautiful storytelling, sumptuous set and engaging performances.”

    • “The kids were absolutely transfixed, it’s an absolutely magical show.”

    • “Shout out to Libellule for starting my child’s theatre journey off with magic, stories, and wonder.”

  • Free learning resources accompanied the show designed to be independently delivered by teachers. The resources linked to several curriculum areas and included activities to enable children to:

    • Reflect on the performance

    • Explore characters and key story moments

    • Engage positively in telling their own stories

    • Support curriculum literacy objectives

    • Original concept created and written by Louise Clark

    • Directed by Deborah Pakkar-Hull

    • Sound design and original music composed by Lee Affen

    • Design by Cathy Cross

    • Set by Matt Sykes-Hooban

    • Technical and stage management by Leanne Young

    • Movement Consultancy by Simone Lewis 

    • Performed by Amy Blake & Shawn W Ashworth