Henry loved books, but not like you and I love books, no. Henry loved to EAT books. And better still, he realises the more books he eats, the smarter he gets. But a book-eating diet isn’t the healthiest of habits, as Henry soon finds out!
This exciting theatre adaptation of Oliver Jeffers’ award-winning children’s book by Bootworks follows the story of a boy with a voracious appetite for books.
Available in English, Arabic and Portuguese.
Directed by James Peachey-Baker and Robert Daniels
Produced by Becki Haines.
Devised and performed by James Peachey-Baker, Robert Daniels, Daniel Kok, Andy Roberts, Sophia Walls, and Joshua Matheson
Music by Verity Standen,
Narrative read by Sophia Walls
Puppets by Max Humphries
Masks by Russell Dean of Strangeface Theatre
Supported by Arts Council England, The British Council, The ShowRoom Theatre (University of Chichester).
Touring History
Holt Festival, Wheee! Festival, Lakeside Arts Festival, Civic Theatre, Barnsley, The Point, Eastleigh, Battersea Arts Centre, London, Tobacco Factory, Bristol, Stratford Circus, London, South Street Arts, Reading, Arts Depot, London, Alnwick Playhouse, Northumberland, Warwick Arts Centre, Warwick, ‘House’ (Farnham Maltings), Sheringham Little Theatre, Norden Farm, Maidenhead, Groundlings, Portsmouth, Quay Arts, Newport, The Berry Theatre, Hedge End, The Oxford Playhouse, Cornerstone, Didcot, The Phoenix, Borden, Newbury Corn Exchange, The Spring, Havant, The Gulbenkian, Canterbury, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Pleasance, Imagine Festival, Southbank Centre, London, Brighton Festival (“Caravan”), Earagail Arts Festival, Ireland, The Egg, Bath, Imaginate Children’s Festival, Edinburgh, D-CAF (Downtown Contemporary Arts Festival: residency and tour), Cairo: Egypt, SESC, Sao Paulo: Brazil (residency and tour).
Reviews
‘What a delight this show is – a joy from start to finish.’
✩✩✩✩✩ The Scotsman
‘Incredible Book Eating Boy is just brilliant, a real five minute wonder. One of my most enjoyable Fringe experiences.’
✩✩✩✩✩ Lyn Gardner, The Guardian
‘Bootworks’ very talented cast conjure these episodes in rollicking fashion, this highly original show enthralls, amuses and delights.’ The Stage
‘Enchanting and adorable, this masterclass in addressing children, and the children at heart, will leave you absolutely mesmerised.’
✩✩✩✩✩ Three Weeks
‘This incredible show should not be missed.’ Primary Times
‘Children will love seeing a beloved book come to life in front of them, and their parents will marvel at the way in which Bootworks Theatre have executed the piece, in such an intimate way.’
✩✩✩✩✩ Public Review
‘An outstanding, technically skilled experience.’
✩✩✩✩✩ Fringe Review
‘Bootworks Theatre’s charming adaptation of Oliver Jeffers’ book for children is an absolute delight.’
✩✩✩✩✩ WhatsonStage
…it is utterly, sometimes alarmingly, consistently magically, wonderful.
✩✩✩✩✩ Mal Peet, The Guardian
