An exciting new local theatre company named Monkey Trousers Theatre launches this month, focused on bringing more format theatre for children to Bristol and the South West.

Monkey Trousers Theatre’s premier performances, which are on 4th and 5th April at the Kelvin Players Studio on Gloucester Road, welcome you to Mr. Gotalot’s Gotalot Shop, and will take children ranging from three up to nine years on a heroic, comedy adventure.

The original story is written by Fran Lewis and she, with Monkey Trousers Theatre co-founder Charlotte Whitten, directs and performs in the show, supported by actor Dominick Fanning.

Fran, who also writes fiction for children and young adults, has created an imaginative world for children to step inside, bolstered with plenty of humour to appeal to parents as well!

The show invites children and grown-ups the chance to step into the magical Gotalot Shop where you can buy anything and everything, and meet the friendly shopkeeper Mr Gotalot, who is aided by the ever-eager shop boy Sidney.

The question is whether Mr Gotalot and Sidney will be able to provide their customers with what they need before the conniving landlady Ms Barnet arrives to collect her rent!

Creative director for Monkey Trousers Theatre is local Bishopston-based mum, Charlotte, who has trained with outstanding names in puppetry including Marc Parrett of the Bath Puppet Workshop and Fly in a Pie Puppet Theatre.

She has performed most recently in the Kelvin Players production of Lilies on the Land. Charlotte has designed fantastic visuals for the show to bring the adventures of Mr. Gotalot alive for children in the audience.

Charlotte explains,

“I am delighted to be working with Fran’s strong characterisation in the show – blending puppetry with traditional acting to widen the appeal of local theatre for kids.”

Fran, also from Bishopston, continues,

“Our own children have inspired us to create an unashamedly daft and ridiculously fun series of stories. So Monkey Trousers Theatre brings a whole new set of  heroes for children to identify with – and to steal the show.”

Performances are 11am and 3pm on Saturday 4th April and at the same times, Sunday 5th April at the Kelvin Players Studio, 253b Gloucester Road, Bishopston, Bristol BS7 8NY.

Tickets are £7 each for aged 3 and above (free for toddlers on laps). A family ticket is available for £25 for 4 seats.

The show will run over the Saturday and Sunday of the Easter weekend at 11am and 3pm to suit the younger audience.

Tickets are on sale through the Tobacco Factory Theatre box office website www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com and on their telephone line 0117 902 0344.

For information about the show, see www.monkeytrouserstheatre.com or email monkeytrouserstheatre@gmail.com