When a weary stranger arrives one day, carrying only a suitcase, everyone is full of questions.
Why is he here? Where has he come from? And just what is in the suitcase? The stranger claims it contains a teacup, a table and chair – and a cabin on a hillside. Will anyone believe him?
Find out in this heart-warming new show for everyone aged four and up – adapted from Chris Naylor-Ballesteros' award-winning book, performed by Toby Mitchell (artistic director of Tall Stories) and directed by Verity Clayton.
'A touching story about friendship and the importance of kindness' (LoveReading4Kids.co.uk).
Pleasance Courtyard
Edinburgh Fringe, 4-21 August 2022
Props supplied by Retrovation
ABOUT TOBY
Toby Mitchell is artistic director and co-founder (with Olivia Jacobs) of the award-winning theatre company Tall Stories. He is also a writer and performer in his own right, and an experienced photographer.
Tall Stories is a registered charity which tours nationally and internationally with its unique blend of storytelling theatre, original music and lots of humour. The company is best known for its theatrical adaptation of ‘The Gruffalo’, alongside many other large, mid and small scale shows.
Prior to Tall Stories, Toby worked as a French teacher, assistant director at Soho Theatre Company and editor at Macmillan Children’s Books.
SHOWS
As writer/director/performer
2019 Alice and the Little Prince w/p
2016 Future Perfect w/p
2013 Back from the Future w/p
2012 Monsters Got Talent w/p
2011 Brilliant Books for Kids w/p
2011 Ben Brailsford: My Fortnum & Mason Hell w/d
2009 Moulin Blue w/d
2008 For Entertainment Only w/p
2007 A British Guide to World Peace w/p
2006 A British Guide to World Religions w/p
2005 A British Guide to French Pop w/p
2004 The Egg d/p
2003 The Island of First Loves w/p
2000 Quack! d
1999 The Truth w/d
1998 VMW w/d
1995 Corduroy Biker w/d
1994 The Egg d
For TALL STORIES as director/performer
2021 The Smeds and The Smoos d
2017 Future Perfect d
2015 Alfie White: Space Explorer d
2013 My Brother the Robot d
2012 The Snail and the Whale d
2010 Twinkle Twonkle d
2007 Does a Monster live Next Door? d
2006 Cat and No Mouse d
2005 The Snow Dragon d
2004 The Owl and the Pussycat d
2002 Something Else p
1999 Snow White p
1997 Alice and Mr Dodgson d
For TALL STORIES as writer/creative producer
2018 The Canterville Ghost
2017 Wilde Creatures
2014 Emily Brown and the Thing
2011 The Extraordinary Adventures of Mr Benn
2009 Room on the Broom
2008 How the Giraffe got its Neck
2007 Monster Hits
2005 The Gruffalo's Child
2003 Mum and the Monster
2001 The Gruffalo
REVIEWS
“This joyous mash-up charms both adults and kids”
Alice and the Little Prince (The List)
“A thought-provoking show, smoothly devised and managed with great charm by Toby Mitchell and given heart by his talented son”
Future Perfect (Scotsman)
“Funny and clever, this play has lots of big ideas - absolutely brilliant”
Future Perfect (Primary Times)
“Toby Mitchell is a cheerful character with a high-concept story”
Back from the Future (Scotsman)
“A good and intriguing concept, presented by a very convincing actor”
Back from the Future (BroadwayBaby)
“An absolute delight - Toby Mitchell has a natural, relaxed style”
Monsters Got Talent (Scotsman)
“Toby Mitchell has the right balance of charm and enthusiasm, never patronising the kids - good fun”
Monsters Got Talent (Three Weeks)
“A really sweet, simple concept – a gentle, charming show”
Brilliant Books for Kids (BroadwayBaby)
“A disarmingly charming show – a fascinating hour”
Ben Brailsford: My Fortnum and Mason Hell (Three Weeks)
“A thoroughly unusual and highly enjoyable show”
Ben Brailsford: My Fortnum and Mason Hell (Fest)
“Toby Mitchell is a likeable fellow and an easy person to listen to”
A British Guide to World Peace (BroadwayBaby.com)
"Fast, quirky and innovative... a funny and immensely enjoyable performance"
A British Guide to World Religions (Three Weeks)
“A hilarious, incredibly politically incorrect history/description of religion - fantastic”
A British Guide to World Religions (RoughGuides.com)
“Bizarre and hilarious”
A British Guide to French Pop (Three Weeks)
“The show has the laidback feel of friends having a get together with a glass of wine”
A British Guide to French Pop (one4review.com)
“Toby Mitchell has a natural ease and rapport with the audience”
The Egg (The Stage)
“Affectionate and humanistic”
The Island of First Loves (The Scotsman)
“A piece of theatre that is not only hugely entertaining, but also very good for the soul”
The Island of First Loves (Hairline)
"A witty, lightly satirical look into the future"
The Truth (Ham & High)
"A gripping and contemporary thriller... web noir"
The Truth (The Herald)
GET IN TOUCH
Drop me a line at
toby dot mitchell at gmail dot com