A BRUSH WITH THE EMPEROR

Event Details

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THE TOLMEN CENTRE PRESENTS

A BRUSH WITH THE EMPEROR

by
DEBORAH MAURICE and KIN THIESSEN
An afternoon matinee for all the family using small scale intricate  puppets, a beautifully made set,  with live accompanying music on stage.   All ages welcome  from  5 to 105!
Deborah Maurice host a session of questions and answers after the performance
SUNDAY 18th January 2026    3pm
Adult  £10   children (over 5) £5  Family Ticket for two adults and two children £25
An adaptation of the Chinese tale: ‘The Magic Paint Brush’  

The Chinese legend tells of a child’s dream of becoming a painter and his encounter with the greed of an evil emperor. Liang travels a long way to achieve his dreams and gain his freedom.

For the original version of a Brush With the Emperor Deborah Maurice worked with the renowned Czech theatre designer, Petr Matàsek. For her set she sourced silk, bamboo and inspiration while working in Pakistan. A tiny pagoda transforms into a vast arena of  bamboo forest, a palace, a prison. Sounds and shadow theatre mingle with the dreams as Liang paints what the people need! The musician Kin Thiessen, with his range of instruments and voice is present and visible throughout the show creating an atmosphere of enchantment. Chinese lullabies, market atmospheres, the splendor of the imperial palace with its gong sounds; the viscous atmosphere of prison, drums densely fill the show and then Liang’s flight from the emperor’s army on the back of a dragon … magic!

Since its creation this show has toured and enchanted audiences in International puppet festivals,the Highland and Islands of Scotland, The Lake District, France, Switzerland and Madrid in Spain.

 

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