“Why don’t you create a show using your repertoire of African fables and folklore?”
This simple question was from my friend, performance storyteller and actor John Kirk. It was early spring 2024, and like so many creatives, I was stuck in a rut. The challenges of working in this industry were weighing heavily, but I also knew one thing for certain, every time I delivered a workshop or performed, audiences responded with overwhelming appreciation.
John’s question was a kick in the rear end. Together, we began shaping the script that would become Heads & Tails. We tested & rehearsed ideas in our living rooms, with a fair amount of laughter (if only we had recorded the blooper reel!).
And so it was that Heads & Tails wove together adaptations of Southern African folklore and fables into one seamless narrative, a “Southern African Storytelling Spectacle.”
From Libraries to Schools
In March 2024, Croydon Library invited me to deliver storytelling sessions as part of the Croydon 2024 Remix. Some of those stories would later form the backbone of Heads & Tails. What struck me immediately was the interactivity and the way children and families joined in and participated.
In July, John and I took the show to Hampton Court House School (London), performing for Early Years and Primary classes. As our pilot, it gave us valuable feedback, and yes, editing and cutting text from the script, felt a bit like creative acupuncture! Balancing audience participation with timing was a challenge, but essential if we wanted to keep the show within the 45-minute duration.
Taking the Stage
Our first big test came at the Cryer Arts Centre in Carshalton, where we performed ‘Heads & Tails’ to an audience of families. The feedback was incredible, and we discovered how meaningful the show could be for neurodivergent audiences and those with physical challenges.
One father summed it up perfectly after the show:
“Thank you for including my boy. We usually can’t go to the theatre as he won’t sit still and always wants to be part of the action. You welcomed him, and he felt included.”
Moments like this made us realise, that Heads & Tails was more than just a storytelling performance and was achieving what we set out to do, which was to bring people together of all ages and diverse backgrounds.
Developing the Show
From there, the show travelled across Surrey, Sussex, Hammersmith & Fulham, and Manchester libraries. Reviews continued to glow (one child even gave us 6 out of 5 stars!).
In early 2025, Heads & Tails was welcomed at Linden Lodge School, working with children who face profound physical and neurodiverse challenges. The sensory props made the experience fully immersive, and once again the response pulled on the heart strings.
Following the performance at Linden Lodge, the journey continued to schools in Manchester, ensuring children with special needs and disabilities were included.
It also became evident how much the teachers and carers valued being included in the show, particularly as they watched the responses of children, many of whom were non-verbal.
Brighton Fringe & Beyond
In May, we stepped into new territory: the Brighton Fringe Festival. With just two shows, the feedback reminded us once again that we had created something truly special.
Bringing it back to Africa (slowly)
From the beginning, I have dreamt of taking my performance storytelling back to my birthplace, South Africa.
That dream took a step closer when we were invited to perform at Zambezi Fest in Northampton (UK), a festival bringing together South African and Zimbabwean communities.
Performing in front of the main stage, with a microphone projecting across a field of 500 people, was unforgettable. Families and stallholders, even the pizza team at the far end of the field, told me afterwards how much they enjoyed it.
What’s Next?
With reviews, photos, and video now part of our toolkit, we’re excited to share Heads & Tails more widely. John and I are committed to partnering with schools, libraries, and community venues to keep it accessible.
Heads & Tails is highly versatile and can be performed in any setting, regardless of size. Our props are lightweight and easy to transport, making it simple for us to take the show anywhere in the world.”
We’re also inviting businesses and individuals to sponsor performances for schools, helping us reach even more children and families who might not otherwise experience live performance theatre of this nature.
If you’d like to get involved, invite us to your school or simply learn more, please contact me through the contact button below.
Thank you for being part of the journey so far!