Tangled Feet brings Belongings to Plymouth

Acclaimed theatre ensemble Tangled Feet and Rowan Tree Dramatherapy comes to Theatre Royal Plymouth from 31 May with Belongings, a playful, inventive and heart-warming show aimed at 7 to 11 year olds and their grown-ups. Exploring the experiences of children living away from their birth families and our fundamental need to belong, the show was created collaboratively with care-experienced children through a ground-breaking model of therapeutic theatre pioneered by the companies.

“It reached my heart” Audience member, aged 8

“So much more than theatre, Belongings is… a joyful celebration of childhood play, an articulation of resilience and a message that children in care can find their place in the world” Everything-theatre.co.uk Belongings is Tangled Feet’s first production of 2024, a year in which the company celebrates its 20th anniversary. The success of its 2023 premiere included being selected as a finalist for the Offies (Off-West End Theatre) Award for TYA Best Production.

Cleo arrives into a new home, unsure of what the future holds. She meets the playful Bertie, who brings her out of her shell, and Leila, who she has more in common with than she first thought.

Life has been unsettled for the trio: Bertie is pushing towards the future, Leila is trying to reconnect with her past and Cleo is searching for answers. Together they balance, dance and climb to navigate imagined worlds, divided loyalties and loved ones far away. They unite to discover a place called home, the value of play, and together, learn how to own their own stories.

Belongings is Tangled Feet’s third piece of therapeutic theatre for young audiences, following Need a Little Help (2015-2019) and Butterflies (2017-2023). This model of therapeutic theatre involves working with a targeted population over a long period of time with space for reflection, the use of dramatherapeutic metaphor and elements of audience participation. Through workshops, devising, design and rehearsals the companies generate a feedback loop for the young people’s voices and creativity to feed the creation period and help explore and witness their experiences.

Nathan Curry, director of Belongings / co-Artistic Director of Tangled Feet: “We are thrilled to be touring Belongings in our 20th anniversary year. For two decades, Tangled Feet have treasured the power of teamwork and ensemble practice, the importance of play and joy in your life, and the power of telling unrepresented stories. We continually find space to play, co-create and perform across multiple forms and platforms – adaptability and reach have been key to our longevity. Belongings is the perfect piece to celebrate our special year – it’s the story of finding out who you are, of finding your playmates, and using creativity and friendship to grow your resilience and build your future… we can’t wait to share it with audiences.”

Belongings plays in the Drum Theatre, Theatre Royal Plymouth, 31 May at 11.30am and 2.30pm and 1 June at 11.30 and 2.30pm. Tickets are £12-£16 and can be booked at www.theatreroyal.com/whats-on/belongings.