WHO ARE WE?

Founded in 1997 by Don Brown, The Cat's Grin Theatre Company has built a strong reputation for delivering energetic, imaginative and highly humorous productions, where the children's involvement is crucial to the overall impact of the show.  Audience participation is a vital ingredient to the fluency and the understanding of each story presented by Cat's Grin, and we pride ourselves on really making the children feel a part of our shows.

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The Cat's Grin Theatre Company takes particular pride in its original scripts - adapting classic literature in such a way that serves both author and audience is a delicate operation. We believe that the wonderful relationship the Company has enjoyed with so many schools, theatres and special events over the years is a testament to Don and Cat's Grin's mastery of this "delicate operation." The scripts are very carefully constructed ensuring that stories and characters, humour and drama are perfectly pitched to appeal at every age level, from 4 years and up. 

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As well as their ongoing workshops and performances in schools, Cat's Grin has performed for and with many diverse venues and special events,

including but not limited to...

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• The Isle of Wight Literary Festival (Tales from Shakespeare)

• Children's Theatre Festival, Norwich (The Wind in the Willows)

• Richmond & Barnes Open Air Children's Theatre (Aesop's Fables)

• Polesdon Lacey Shakespeare, National Trust (Tales from Shakespeare)

• Trinity Theatre, Tunbridge Wells (various shows).

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A particular highlight was in 2018, when Cat's Grin was selected to present their original adaption of 'The Wind in the Willows' in the grounds of the Odney Club & Hotel in Cookham - where the books' author Kenneth Grahame lived as a child.  It is believed Toad Hall was based on the Odney Club, a private home in Grahame's day. 

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Between 1997 – 2019, Cat's Grin provided the theatrical theme for the annual Midsummer Fantasy for Schools Week at Painshill Park in Surrey.  Productions included The Wizard of Oz, The Labours of Hercules, Tales from Shakespeare, Around the World in 80 Days and Those Tudor Days & Knights, Alice in Wonderland, The Wind in the Willows & - for Halloween - Tales from the Enchanted Forest.

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To the present day, the Cat' Grin Theatre Company continues it's work visiting schools and communities, sharing the joy of theatre to audiences of all ages.

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