Making A Scene: ‘Sunshine’
By: Let S Play London
Tags: Childrens Theatre, Theatre, London, Arts And Culture, Parenting

Making A Scene: ‘Sunshine’

In the next of our ‘Making A Scene’ interview series with the people making, promoting and presenting theatre for the Under 5s, today we’re talking to Lee White, an actor and artistic director of Stickyback Theatre about their show, ‘Sunshine’. Let’s Play London Jul 1, 2019·4 min read

Lee White is an actor who studied at Sylvia Young Theatre School, East 15 and Arts Ed. After graduating he trained in puppetry, clowning and commedia Dell’arte, before setting up Stickyback Theatre in 2011. Based in London, Stickyback are a predominantly comedy-led theatre company, who have delivered touring shows, commissioned works, creative projects and world collaborations. A trust in personal narratives and development are at the core of the work which often fuses multiple theatrical disciplines including puppetry, clown and commedia dell’arte. Their latest show is called ‘Sunshine’, an interactive clowning spectacle suitable for children aged 3 and up.

Stickyback Theatre’s ‘Sunshine’

Tell us about ‘Sunshine’. How did the idea come about?

‘Sunshine’ is highly interactive storytelling with play and imagination at its heart. All Mr Sand wanted to do was relax and enjoy the breeze of the sea air on his skin and the sunshine on his face. Simple pleasures. However, he did not know that he would have to share the beach with someone else. Let’s just say Mr Sand’s day was about to be turned upside down and inside out. Caught up in the whirl pool of Mr Sea’s chaos, Mr Sand does everything he can to get a bit of peace and quiet. Super silly, highly interactive, heart warming, belly laughing, joy gathering spectacular Sunshine!

The idea for Sunshine occurred one Summer’s day. I was sat under a tree when an apple fell on my head. I quickly arrived at the theory of Flavity. I soon discovered that this discovery had been discovered before. Olivia Newton John I believe. Fortunately I then discovered Sunshine.

Joking aside, Sunshine was created to allow children and families to laugh and fall in love with theatre. The art of sharing with one another. Theatre is allowed to be silly. Through silliness we can be our most vulnerable, honest and communicative.

What was your process for developing the show?

We made a few rules. We only rehearsed on sunshine filled days and wearing wellies. Wellies filled with jelly. We only rehearsed in spaces unusual enough to get attention from the public. Swimming pools, libraries, train stations, supermarkets and my nan’s house. Our particular favourite was having a beach ball battle in a billiard room back in Basildon (in jelly wellies of course).

Stickyback Theatre’s ‘Sunshine’

Let’s Play London is really focused on theatre for under 5s since those first years can be so formative in a child’s life? How did you design the show to appeal to those audiences?

We held a series of focus groups with the five year old demographic. Participants were issued with crayons and fruit shoots. Results documented, the conclusion was children + sunshine = smiley faces.

What are you hoping the audience will take away from the show?

We are more than happy to supply everyone with a biscuit. But please don’t take any thing from the show. That would be stealing. You can bathe in our Sunshine though as long as you remember to share it with everyone you meet.

And finally what was your first experience of theatre or live performance. What impact do you think this has had on you?

Theatre began at home. Watching Mum and Dad enact stories with pants on their head. Dad wearing a blue tutu granting wishes to all. Mum sang Barry White classics whilst ballroom dancing with the dog.

This gave me a firm grounding in classical theatre. I’m now able to enjoy the cheer in Chekhov, the breeziness of Brecht, the poetic power of Paw Patrol and perplexing political plight of the Power Puff Girls.

Stickyback Theatre’s ‘Sunshine’ is next performing at Theatre Peckham, as part of their Peckham Previews Youth Festival, on Sunday 21st July at 1pm. The show is suitable for ages 3+, and the running time is an hour. Tickets are £5 and are available to book here. They will also be taking ‘Sunshine’ to the Edinburgh Fringe from the 1st — 25th August at 11am at the Delhi Belly, Underbelly, Cowgate. Tickets cost £6.50 — £10 and are available here. To learn more about Stickyback Theatre, please visit their website, or follow them on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.

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