Project year: 2023-24

Project partners: Arts Partnership Surrey, Farnham Maltings

This year Arts Partnership Surrey has supported Scoot Theatre to develop an original adaptation of Quentin Blake’s children’s story “Mrs Armitage on Wheels”.  

Mrs Armitage sets off for a quiet cycle with her faithful dog, Breakspear, but she just can’t help thinking of ways to improve her bicycle. Before very long she has added three very loud horns, a bucket of water to wash her hands, and a complete tool kit. By the time she has also added a seat for Breakspear, two umbrellas, a cassette player and a mouth-organ, Mrs Armitage is riding a very eye-catching contraption. But it is when she finally adds the mast and sail, that Mrs Armitage really runs into trouble . . .

Scoot spent two weeks on research and development, visiting primary schools and nurseries around Surrey, gauging and recording children’s reactions to the source material and creating a 25-minute section of the play itself. 

The finished production will feature puppetry, original music and exciting audience interaction, all performed by 3 brilliant actor-musicians.

The production is due to tour in summer 2024 and will visit a variety of community venues – including church halls, schools, outdoor theatre spaces and cycle cafes.