Q&A with Nathan Curry, Co-Artistic Director of Tangled Feet

Tangled Feet and Rowan Tree bring Belongings to TRP’s Drum stage 31 May – 01 June.

Belongings was developed through working creatively with young people in care over a period of years, and tells the story of three youngsters – Cleo, Bertie and Leila – who work together to navigate imagined worlds, divided loyalties and loved ones far away.

The show is aimed at young people aged 7-11 years old and prices start from £12.

Q&A with Nathan Curry, Co-Artistic Director of Tangled Feet

1. Who are Tangled Feet and Rowan Tree and how did this collaboration come about?

Tangled Feet is a physical theatre company which makes inspiring, joyful and thought-provoking performances in theatres, high streets, schools, shops, fields… in fact anywhere there are people. Rowan Tree is a Dramatherapy organisation which uses drama as a tool to process complex childhood experiences.

2. Can you tell us about the process of making Belongings?

Belongings was developed during a long period of research, development, workshops and test performances. The piece was co-created with the help of children who had experience of growing up away from their birth families and they supported the actors and creative team to create a show that celebrated how they stepped into their power and owned their own story. Many themes surrounding growing up in care came out of the creative process – identity, friendship, the power of creativity, resilience and building new connections- subjects that all children can relate to.

During the process we played with a set that the actors can climb and spin on, different design ideas using costumes and dressing up, games that explore missing people in safe and creative ways – all with the aim of creating something very visual and accessible.

3. In a few sentences, what can Plymouth audiences expect from Belongings?

Belongings follows the meeting of three children who are all growing up away from their birth families and audiences watch as they support each other and play games to understand how their identity is their superpower. The show is about understanding who you are, how your identity is made and becoming the real (brilliant) you.

The show is lots of fun and we’ve had excellent feedback from our young audiences on how much they love to see the characters playing together and creating new games and imaginary landscapes. The characters are extremely relatable and the actors are brilliant at portraying the energy and wit of children.

The show is very visual and physical with a brilliant original soundtrack. There is lots to look at and the actors climb, dance and jump around the set and each other. The design of the show is a large part of how the story is told using visual metaphor and costumes.

What we’ve heard from audiences is that it warms their hearts, makes them understand and think about different people’s lives and that the show is very funny for anyone aged 7-77!

4. If you could describe Belongings in 3 words what would they be?

Uplifting

Enriching

Beautiful

5. Without giving too much away, what is your favourite moment in the show?

There are so many! The children in the audience becoming involved at the end is definitely a highlight (spoiler alert!) My top moment is when Leila and Cleo finally connect. They haven’t completely got on with each other up until this point and they share a hug, share a worry and then create a way forward. It’s lovely.

6. Why should people come and see Belongings?

In the words of the reviewers, it’s brilliant! It is also relatable and accessible no matter what your family background. It offers families a safe space to show how sometimes you have to learn to love and accept yourself before things can really change. I also think people should come because it’s beautiful to look at (the design is awesome) and it has an incredible soundtrack.