Tucked in Presents LEAPER, A FISH TALE

Although it sounds like a children's tale, the reality is that fish are slowly starting to disappear from our rivers and seas. Research shows that wild fish could be a thing of the past by 2048. Leaper: A Fish Tale follows one fish's magical quest against the ever-growing natural and manmade monsters in our waters. How can one little girl help to stop this?

Using their signature blend of beautiful puppetry and mesmeric music, Tucked In explore the colourful and breathtaking world beneath the water's surface. Following their highly-acclaimed productions of Sam Rose in the Shadows, The Golden Cowpat and Tim & Light, Leaper: A Fish Tale promises to be Tucked In's most ambitious family show yet - challenging, dark, never patronising and, most importantly, truly original. Hal Chambers, Artistic Director of Tucked In Productions says, I believe the ultimate key to conservation is education. During our research children found that the idea of destroying one of the most bountiful natural resources was utterly silly! I think we are born with an inherent spirit of conservation and once we grow up we lose a little of that.

That is why creating a puppetry production for children about the future of fish is so interesting. It is the next generation who are going to be most affected by our present mistakes. We believe the best way for people to connect with these issues is through story and Leaper will be moving, funny and extremely powerful. Leaper: A Fish Tale will prompt inter-generational conversations about what we can do to help this situation. If Leaper is able to prompt more debate amongst children on these important issues, perhaps their young minds can help to discover a way to create a sustainable future for life in our waters.

Leaper was originally inspired by Steve Keay, a Tucked In audience member and Unit Manager of a salmon reconditioning unit for the Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board in Perth, Scotland. Since meeting Steve in 2013 Tucked In have conducted research directly with marine biologists, social ecologists and school children. Leaper brings together some of the most exciting theatre makers in the UK including design team Claire Harvey (The River People) and Annie Brooks (Colossal Crumbs), composer Jim Harbourne (Tortoise in a Nutshell), lighting designer Tom White (Propeller) and producer Steph Connell (Frantic Assembly).

It will be directed by Hal Chambers, the Artistic Director of Tucked In, who recently directed Raymond Briggs' The Bear for Polka Theatre and Pins & Needles. Supported by Arts Council England, Lyric Hammersmith, Brighton Dome, National Aquarium Limited and Sea Changers, Leaper will tour to theatres, schools and aquariums around the UK.

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