New family-friendly show invites you to ‘Make Your Own Myth’

Award-winning theatre company Rubbish Shakespeare Company is teaming up with the brilliant Silly History Boys to bring their innovative, family-friendly production on its first-ever UK tour.

The Story Forge: Make Your Own Myth promises an hour of adventure, blending clowning, physical comedy, storytelling, and live music into a uniquely interactive experience.

The Story Forge: Make Your Own Myth is an immersive, all-ages family show, where two larger-than-life history professors and a live musician make new myths from children’s ideas.

Audiences will be led through a triptych of tales: the origin of the place they live; the creation myth of a donated item; and a hero’s journey – where an audience member will prove themselves a legend. 

So… who is the God of dog poo bags? What ancient crime was Marmite the punishment for… and why was it inflicted upon us? Will it be Greek? Viking? Ancient Babylonian? They haven’t a clue! This silly iliad – or silliad, if you will – is completely unique every single time it’s performed, as three new myths are forged from the unhinged minds of the audience – and a boatload of cardboard props!  

The Rubbish Shakespeare Company production team are adept at transposing classic stories for a young audience – their last tour of Romeo and Juliet saw them appear at many notable venues including The Pleasance in Edinburgh, and show runs were extended at both Leeds Playhouse and London’s West End, garnering great reviews and audience feedback.  

Produced to chime with Rubbish Shakespeare Company’s mission of ‘Theatre for All’, this ‘choose your own adventure tale’ was developed in response to a lack of new stories for children. Using a flexible scripted framework, each show will reflect the local community, as stories are drawn from their imaginations and experiences.

While the storyline is inspired by the ancient classics – giving audiences a recognisable starting point – each show allows children to make original stories, whilst also providing a first time performance experience for many young people.

Lee Hithersay – Artistic Director of Rubbish Shakespeare Co.

“It’s been a blast! Sharing the stage with these amazing children is incredible, you really see them light up and come alive. As a performer, this has been one of the most fun and rewarding shows I’ve ever been a part of. Honestly, the kids steal the show every time, and we wouldn’t have it any other way!

“They’re the real stars, not us. You really see how naturally storytelling comes to kids. We created The Story Forge largely because children just aren’t being exposed to enough new stories. That New National Literacy Trust study really hit home – only 35% of 8–18-year-olds actually read for pleasure? That’s crazy!

“We think a big reason is the lack of fresh, original stories out there for them. So we’re doing our bit to change that by creating three brand new stories every show!”

The upcoming UK Tour will begin on February 15th, before travelling up and down the country – including visits to both Northern Ireland and the Scottish Highlands – throughout the Spring and Summer months. Resuming in the Autumn, the tour then continues its jaunt throughout September, wrapping up on 12th October for its grand finale. 

There are 74 programmed performances in total across 43 venues. Alongside the shows, 35 creative workshops are taking place with bespoke activity packs, encouraging attendees to create their own stories. 

The Story Forge: Make Your Own Myth is on at Unity Theatre on 5 April, tickets are available here.

Find more theatre events across Liverpool City Region here.