Brilliant Bee

About the show...

Brilliant Bee was commissioned by Doorstep Arts and the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty through the Life on the Edge project in 2023. Helen and Vicki worked with young people at Beechwood Primary Academy and Weston Mill Community Primary during after school clubs as part of the With Flying Colours project. Together during these 2 terms of after school club, we generated everything from the storyline, to the characters, puppets and even the song lyrics! Alex Hart wrote some music for the lyrics, and Helen and Vicki put the play together, which we performed back to the young people to get their seal of approval before performing it across Devon.

"I'm looking forward to how everyone's ideas will create a masterpiece" Young person involved in co-creating Brilliant Bee.

Where did the show perform?

During it's development in 2023, we performed the show to young people across Devon at Beechwood Primary Academy, Oakwood Primary Academy, Doorstep Arts Saturday Drama, Edge Hill Primary School Brixham, Wembury Primary school and Sherford Vale Primary.

The show went on to perform at Community centres across Plymouth during December 2023, and in 2024 at Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre, St Anne's Arts Centre (The Plough), Paignton Library, Princetown Primary School and the Big Day Out on the Farm.Credits: Created by Helen Bovey and Victoria Horan with young people from Beechwood Primary Academy, Weston Mill Community Primary and Doorstep Arts. Music by Alex Hart.

What was the show about?

Far above the sea, on the winding path above, buzzes a little orange bee who is feeling very hungry! As the seasons change and the walkers pass by, will anyone notice our bee? And if they do notice, stop and look, I wonder what other insects they might see…

Put on your walking boots and join Above Bounds for Brilliant Bee, commissioned by Doorstep Arts and the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty through the Life on the Edge project. Our story emerges from a picnic basket and explores some of the rare insects you can find on the South Devon Coast. Expect a heartwarming show full of fun, plenty of puppets and lots of giggles!

This is the perfect introduction to theatre ages 4-8.

Credits: Created by Helen Bovey and Victoria Horan with young people from Beechwood Primary Academy, Weston Mill Community Primary and Doorstep Arts. Music by Alex Hart. Show artwork by Isaac Holley. Photos at Big Day Out at the Farm, Joe Burt.

Supported by: