In 2024 I directed Toot! a MishMash Productions show for wind quintet, created to introduce children aged 4–9 to the extraordinary range of sounds, characters and possibilities of five wind instruments.

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At the centre of the show is a magical dressing-up box which sends the five musicians off on a series of adventures: through forests and caves, into imaginary worlds and eventually all the way to the moon. The music drives the action throughout, with the performers using physical theatre, play and their relationships with one another to bring each piece to life.

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The programme ranges from Handel and Ligeti to Valerie Coleman, Paquito D’Rivera, Judith Weir, Adolphus Hailstork and Wissam Boustany. I particularly enjoyed finding theatrical ideas that emerged directly from this wonderfully varied repertoire, rather than adding a story on top of the music.

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Toot! has toured to schools and venues around the UK, appearing at Wigmore Hall, Turner Sims, Nottingham Chamber Music Festival, and travelling to Brazil for the International YAMSession.