Children’s Story Making Theatre
The Mitten
The Mitten was Unpuzzled Theatre’s pioneering project, launched in 2022 in response to a rapidly changing world. With conflicts in Afghanistan and the outbreak of war in Ukraine forcing many families to seek safety in the UK — including here in Southend — we were inspired to adapt a traditional Ukrainian folk tale into a participatory theatre experience that celebrated resilience, community, and hope.
Over nearly two years, The Mitten toured extensively across schools, youth centres, mother-and-toddler groups, and children’s festivals, reaching more than 2,000 audience members by the end of 2023. Working closely with Welcome2theUK, we listened to feedback from participants and audiences, adapting the show for three different age groups and enriching the performance with live instruments and handmade animal masks.
The project also created valuable opportunities for emerging artists, offering many East 15 Acting School graduates their first professional theatre role. Funded by the Essex Community Foundation, Southend Community Commission, and the Postcode People’s Trust, The Mitten became a heartfelt example of how theatre can build understanding, foster inclusion, and bring people together. We were incredibly proud of the project’s impact — and though its final performance marked the end of its journey, its legacy continues to shape our work today.
“Our planet is under threat! The only way out is on a rocket. But there are limited seats… who gets one?”
The Rocket
The Rocket was a powerful new project developed from our year-long programme, When You See Me, which supported families across South Essex who had migrated to the UK or were seeking asylum. Building on the relationships, trust, and creative skills developed during that work, The Rocket was designed to deepen engagement, empower participants, and amplify the voices of underrepresented individuals through theatre.
In partnership with Welcome2theUK, we delivered a series of drama and art workshops in Basildon, Thurrock, and Southend, creating inclusive spaces where participants could explore their identity, sense of belonging, and the value of their contributions to society. Crucially, the project also created paid creative opportunities for individuals with lived experience, supporting pathways into employment and building confidence through practical arts experience.
The workshops centred around a powerful question: If our planet were under threat and a rocket to a new world had only limited seats, who should go — and why? Which roles do we truly value, and which could we live without? This co-creative process encouraged critical thinking, dialogue, and collaboration, resulting in the development of a new play by Essex writer Sadie Davidson, which was based entirely on participants’ ideas.
We then returned to each of the three communities to perform the finished piece, completing a full creative cycle — from consultation and co-creation to production and shared celebration. The Rocket stands as a testament to the power of theatre to build social cohesion, elevate unheard stories, and foster meaningful conversations about the society we want to create.
