Credit: Alex Brenner
By Grace Hatchell
A fox, a pigeon and a secret agent take on Miss Information in The Shivers
A fox, a pigeon and a secret agent are being sent on a mission to save the world this October half term. I’m not entirely sure who completed the risk assessment, but it sounds considerably more exciting than staying home and sorting the laundry.
Created for children aged seven to eleven and their grown-ups, The Shivers is a fast-paced theatrical adventure combining clowning, dance, music and live video in what has been described as a “live cartoon”.
Our three unlikely superheroes must face the villainous Miss Information and her army of deadly sleepy agents. All the colours have gone wrong, the sounds are upside down and nobody can be certain what is true, false, real or fake.
Essentially, it is the internet—but with more dancing.
As Miss Information’s lies spread, the heroes must untangle the confusion, decide who they can trust and work together before it is too late.
The energetic 55-minute production touches upon misinformation, fake news, artificial intelligence and online safety while celebrating friendship and the importance of trusting your instincts. That should leave families with plenty to discuss afterwards, once everyone has settled the more immediate question of whether a pigeon can genuinely be trusted with an international espionage operation.
The three-person cast comprises Isis Clunie, Ben Kulvichit and Kenndrick Horton, who play multiple characters throughout the adventure. Live video and green-screen effects become part of the action, helping to make every performance unique.
The production was created with the involvement of pupils from five London primary schools.
“We really think The Shivers works brilliantly for the target age range,” said writer and director Emma Clarke.
Co-writer and director PJ Stanley added: “It’s very much a show created with young people, for young people.”
Young audience members have already given their verdicts. Alice, aged 11, called the show “fantastic”, while eight-year-old Carl awarded it “an infinity out of 10”. Frankly, it is difficult for the rest of us to compete with that rating system.
The Shivers has also been nominated for six Fringe Theatre Awards, while Everything Theatre praised its originality, experimental physical storytelling and fast-paced style.
The show is presented by independent theatre company emma + pj, founded in 2018. Its previous work for adult audiences includes Scenes from a Repatriation at the Royal Court and Ghosts of the Near Future at the Barbican.
Commissioned by New Diorama Theatre and funded by Arts Council England, The Shivers will visit Hampshire, Surrey, Kent and Berkshire during the autumn half-term tour.
Tour dates
Monday 26 October at 2pm
The Spring Arts & Heritage Centre
56 East Street, Havant, Hampshire, PO9 1BS
Tickets: £8 for under-16s, £9 and £10
www.thespring.co.uk
Tuesday 27 October at 2pm
The Horton Arts Centre
Haven Way, Epsom, Surrey, KT19 8NP
Tickets: £14 or £42 for a family of four
thehortonepsom.org
Wednesday 28 October at 4pm
The Assembly Rooms
64 Preston Street, Faversham, Kent, ME13 8PG
Tickets: £10, £12 or £40 for a family of four
thealex.org.uk
Thursday 29 October at 11.30am
Curve Venue
William Street, Slough, Berkshire, SL1 1XY
Tickets: £8 and £10
curvevenue.uk
Friday 30 October at 2pm
The Nutshell
15 Kings Walk, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 8AF
Tickets: £12 and £14
thenutshellwinchester.com
Saturday 31 October at 2pm
South Street Arts Centre
21 South Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 4QU
Tickets: £14 or £12 for members
whatsonreading.com/south-street
The Shivers runs for approximately 55 minutes and is recommended for children aged seven to eleven and their families.
Find out more at www.emmaandpj.com.
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