A new story and free digital resource

Published on 5th May 2021.

We are delighted to share an exciting new story and free digital resource for primary schools, 17 and the Squeak Gobbler.

To access this free resource for schools, or if you know teachers who might be interested in accessing it for their class or school, please contact Lizzy Stephens.

Watch the trailer and find out more about this resource below.

This past year, due to Covid-19, it has not been possible to reach young people with our stories in traditional ways. 17 & the Squeak Gobbler has been created during a period of exploration, curiosity and play. It reunites creatives, many of whom we have worked with regularly over the years: Sally Cookson (director), Mike Akers (writer), John O’ Hara (composer & sound), Katie Sykes (designer), Camilla Adams (filmmaker) and May Kindred Boothby (animator).

It is a free digital resource for schools to use in classrooms, with supporting activities available to promote speaking, listening and wellbeing; to provoke questions and encourage children to create their own stories. We are initially sharing it as a free gift for schools, although we do hope to share it more widely at a later date.

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Inspired by lockdown, three short films introduce two characters (played by Felix Hayes and John Pfumojena) and an age-old tale about finding common ground in an uncertain world.

Seventeen is brave and curious, some might say too brave and too curious. When his dad asks for a volunteer to undertake a dangerous mission up into the Big Blue, only one paw is raised. Seventeen's.

This is a matter of life and death. Is there really a Squeak Gobbler living right above their heads? And if there is, will they all come to a sticky end? It's up to the audience to save a little life and create harmony where there is discord. Can you find the right words to win the day?

To accompany the films, we are sharing some activities that schools can deliver in the classroom after watching.

Heidi Vaughan, our Artistic Director, said about the new resource:

“We worked with some exceptional artists to create this piece; testing new ways to tell stories within a classroom. It has been a learning curve finding ways to remain playful, curious and connected to a young audience through a screen. The result is a joyful offer, with depth and plenty of subtle resonances with the time we are living in.

Making this original offer felt important to schools, who would typically have had a wealth of face-to-face opportunities over the last year. We wanted to honour our strong relationship and commitment to them; enabling us to gift a rich, resonant story and in doing so continuing to rise above some of the barriers children have in accessing digital performance in the home. With a tour of a new show planned this Autumn which will tour largely to schools and community settings, I hope 17 & the Squeak Gobbler really fires the imagination, and reinforces our commitment, in spite of this changing time, to keep exploring ways that we can offer quality work with integrity.”

To access this free resource for schools, or if you know teachers who might be interested in accessing it for their class or school, please contact Lizzy Stephens.