The Biggest Fish Ever!

Written by Rob Ashman & Johnny Cartwright

Narrated by Shadrack the Lighthouse Keeper and with music by Shark Fighting George the story revolves around Tom, a foolish young fisherman. When he is out fishing one day he gets more than he bargains for when he meets and falls in love with a beautiful mermaid called Sirenetta.

His subsequent quest to win her heart leads him on a mystical undersea voyage of discovery and a meeting with a host of colourful characters, including the magic starfish and the mighty sea wizard.

Told with the use of puppets, mask, storytelling and live music this show is suitable for children age 4+.

“The children thoroughly enjoyed the variety of different puppets, voices etc. They were unanimous in their judgement of excellent quality. An inspiration, thank you!”–Sue Jones, Headteacher, Garway Primary School, Hereford.

Sea Legs first show, The Biggest Fish Ever took the first six monthsof 2001 to produce. Before unleashing our masterpiece on the world we wanted to try it out in front of a friendly audience. At the time I was living in a one bedroom flat above a chemist in the centre of Hereford. So it was, that in the final two months of production, the main feature of the set, a ten-foot tall lighthouse (fortunately the flat had a very tall ceiling) was set up in my lounge, ironically blocking out any light from the window. It was here on June 27th 2001 at 5.00 p.m that we first performed the show to a select audience of about ten friends (we couldn’t have fitted any more in if we’d wanted to). We called it a pre-dress rehearsal, as there was still 3 weeks to the first shows. It was a good exercise as we were given lots of constructive feedback, which was what we wanted.

So three weeks and lots of tweaking later, on July 18th 2001, we were more than ready for our first proper performance at Colwall Primary School, Worcestershire. Richard Southall, the Headteacher at the time called the show “a delight and an inspiration” and so it has continued: Sea Legs now regularly delights and inspires an estimated 20,000 children and adults a year.

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    "Sea Legs' provides wonderful storytelling and puppetry. Entertaining both children and adults, I am always asked when they will be back. I cannot speak highly enough of the company and their skills!" - Nikki Small, Deputy General Manager, Farnham Maltings.

    "We were blown away by your performance of The Selfish Giant - so beautiful, haunting, uplifting and special. Lots of the parents have been singing your praises. Thank you for giving us one birthday party we will remember forever!" - Jo Pilkington, Parent, Herefordshire

    "Our audiences can’t get enough of Sea Legs’ shows. They love the beautifully crafted puppets, the lively, inventive storytelling, the colourful sets, the humour and occasional silliness. Younger children especially love being able to ‘meet the puppets’ after the show – and it’s a great pleasure as a theatre programmer to work with someone who’s so easy to deal with!" - Kitty Parker, Roundhouse Administrator, Nottingham Playhouse.

    "I Just wanted to say thank you for the most amazing day today - can't thank you enough. All of the children from pre-school right up were inspired and amazed by your production of The Ugly Duckling!" - Rachel Hughes, Year 1 Teacher, Glenfall Community Primary School, Cheltenham.

    "Little Bo Peep was absolutely excellent - the best children's show we've seen by far. Brilliantly engaging and well told." - Mrs Warrior, Audience Member, ARC, Stockton Arts Centre.

    "All the Sea Legs shows we have seen, have been of a consistently high standard. The children are thoroughly engaged from the onset and entranced by the storytelling. I would highly recommend Sea Legs shows to any school." - Coleen Wilkins, Headteacher, Falconer's Hill Infant School, Daventry.

    "Rarely do I bother to review anything but I felt I had to in this instance...My 4 year old son was totally mesmerised by The Selfish Giant show from start to finish and I love the idea that you simply tell a lovely, meaningful story in an old fashioned fun way. I really hope you come our way again as we would be the first to book in to see you, but for now we have our cd which my son played over and over back at home! - Heidi Azarpour, Audience Member, Stafford Gatehouse.

    "Sea Legs' performances are consistently magical and accessible. Rob connects effortlessly with the audience and has a wonderful way of bringing stories to life!" - Gemma Aston, Director, Riverhouse Arts Centre, Walton on Thames.

    "Thank you for an amazing Little Bo Peep show today. Our daughter was absolutely over the moon, and I'm sure will remember her 5th birthday forever!" - Mark Schottlander, Parent, London.

    "We enjoy Sea Legs' shows for the high quality of story telling but also the exceptional puppets, sets and imagination that goes into each production. As a grown up its lovely to take my daughter to something I know I will enjoy as much as her. We look forward to the next time you come to Nottingham." - Tamsin Peach, Audience Member, Nottingham Playhouse.

    "It was a joy to watch my son and his friend enthralled by your show, Little Bo Peep! - We're looking forward to coming to see your next one." - Rachel Collins, Audience Member, Winchester Discovery Centre.

    "An enthralling experience for all and a great introduction to live theatre for very young children." - A. Taylor, Headteacher, St Mary's Primary School, Fownhope, Hereford.

    "Little Bo Peep was an excellent and very positive experience for our pre-school children. The attention to detail was amazing! I have no hesitation in recommending this show to other pre-schools." - Mrs Alice Bennett, Centre Leader, Madresfield Early Years Centre, Malvern, (Judged Best Nursery in the UK 2012 by NDNA)

    “We always look forward to Sea Legs' performances at Square Chapel as they are always hiqh quality and popular with schools and family audiences alike. The puppets are beautiful and it is always a treat for children to meet them at the end.” Michaela O'Sullivan, Education & Outreach Manager, Square Chapel Centre for the Arts, Halifax.

    "Many thanks for the beautiful production of the Ugly Duckling we enjoyed at the Hive the other day. I had hoped my five and two year old would make it through the tale and it wouldn't be too stressful for me trying to keep them sitting down. As it was, we were absolutely captivated by a magical and moving performance; it was an hour of blissful escapism for myself (tinted with bittersweet nostalgia) as well as being beautiful entertainment for the children." - Camila Stewart, Audience Member, The Hive, Shrewsbury.

    "A fantastic, moving and inspirational performance - Thank you so much and please let us know when you have a new production." - Janette Hinch, Deputy Headteacher, Harewood Infant School, Gloucester.

    "Absolutely spellbinding! Stunning costumes and puppets and exquisite mastery of voice and movement. True storytelling!" - Lucy White, Audience Member, Malvern Theatres.