Visitors to Roves Farm were in for a pig surprise!

By Ben Fitzgerald - 24 March 2017

Arts and Culture

Real life piglets and newborn lambs at Roves Farm didn’t know what to make of Babe – the amazing puppet from an enchanting new production coming soon to the Wyvern Theatre.

Puppet Director Matthew Forbes paid a visit to the farm ahead of the show which will visit the Wyvern Theatre on 29 and 30 April as part of a major UK Tour. During the visit Matthew explained how he trains the entire Babe cast in operating the puppets and bringing them to life for the show. He is also Associate Puppetry Director on War Horse around the world.

Adapted from Dick King-Smith’s much-loved children’s novel which inspired the Oscar-winning 1995 film, Babe, The Sheep-Pig features stunning puppetry, an original score and a charming ‘baa-ber sheep’ quartet.

Dick King-Smith’s The Sheep-Pig was first published in 1983, and has since been translated into fifteen languages, as well as winning King-Smith the Guardian Children's Fiction Award. In 1995 it was adapted for the big screen as the film Babe, which received huge critical and box office success. It was nominated for seven Academy Awards and won one for Best Visual Effects, as well as winning the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture: Musical or Comedy.

Babe, The Sheep-Pig is adapted for the stage by Olivier Award-winning playwright David Wood OBE, who is best known for his adaptations of classic family titles including Goodnight Mister Tom, James and the Giant Peach, The BFG and The Tiger Who Came to Tea. David also wrote the book and lyrics for new musical The Go-Between, currently playing in the West End.

Book tickets today at swindontheatres.co.uk or by calling the Ticket Office on 01793 524 481.

Find out more about the many attractions at Roves Farm at rovesfarm.co.uk

 

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