HOLDEN & ARTS ASSOCIATES
SHARING STORIES AND CREATING PARTNERSHIPS SINCE 1983
MONKEYS EVERYWHERE
Produced by Parrot Ox and Pleasance Theatre Trust
Together with Yarn Theatre, with Garry Starr
From London, England and Sydney, Australia
Garry Starr is trying to write a play for all ages. But his thoughts keep swinging through his head like monkeys in the jungle.
They pop in, drive through and start monkey parties – making it impossible for him to concentrate.
Garry does love his monkeys. But sometimes, they just get a bit much.
Will Garry ever be able to manage his monkeys, find calm amongst the mayhem, and finish his play?
Monkeys Everywhere is a show for everyone – but especially for those who can’t always keep their monkeys under control. Created with Olivia Jacobs, director of Tall Stories’ The Gruffalo and Room on the Broom, this show is full of clowning, audience interaction, lots of laughter, and a real heart. It would be bananas to miss it!
This new production premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August 2024 - it won Best Kids Show (The Besties, chosen by the Fest Kid Critics) & Best Children's Show (Entertainment NOW) and was nominated for Best Show (the List). Going to the Fringe? Learn more about showtimes here!
Resources
About the Company
Best for Families, All Ages (Ages 5 years+)
Student Matinees: Grades K+
Audience Size: Small & Medium Venues
Highlights trailer
Please contact us to watch an archival full length recording.
Curriculum Connections
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Fine Arts: Theater, Clowning
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Emotional/Social Learning Development: Self-Awareness, Relationship Skills, Responsible Decision-Making, Social Awareness, Perspective, Imagination
Outreach and Workshops
With advance notice, the company is able to offer workshops for families or adults. Please contact your HAA agent during the booking process if this is something you'd like to explore.
Minimum Technical Requirements
Coming soon!
Artistic Team
Creator and Performer: Damien Warren-Smith
Director: Olivia Jacobs
Producers: Lauren Eisinger for Parrot Ox and Anthony Alderson for Pleasance Theatre
Co-Producer: Yarn Theatre
Set and Costume Design: Karen Tennant
Lighting Design: Fraser Alexander Martin
Production and Stage Management :Matt Llewellyn Smith
Costume Maker: Christine Atkinson
Puppet Design: Tracy Waller and Mervyn Millar for Significant Object.
Puppet Makers: Liberty Mann, Mervyn Millar, Bryony M Rumble, Helen Turner and Tracy Waller.
Choreography: Morag Cross
Sound: Damien Warren Smith
Set builders: Harrogate Scenic with thanks to Richard and Alex
Photography: Charles Flint
Monkey Storybook: Adam Oliver
Awards & Critical Acclaim
"A 5 star show about a monkey with mental health issues... You know you’ve struck gold when the grown-ups at a children’s show are laughing as hard (sometimes harder) than their young charges." ★★★★★ - The Scotsman
"“Monkeys Everywhere” is a blend of laughter and insight, deftly addressing the importance of understanding our mental landscape. Starr’s ability to transform complex themes into a light-hearted, family-friendly experience is nothing short of genius. This performance is an unmissable treat that leaves audiences with smiles and a new perspective on their ‘monkeys.’" ★★★★★ - One4Review
"a brilliantly entertaining and fun show... there is something in this for big and little monkeys." ★★★★ - instafestreview
"Garry Starr has set the standard for family entertainment. His playful asides go straight over young heads to tickle adult funny bones. His his physical comedy superbly satisfies childlike sensibilities. There’s plenty of audience participation. His attention to the crowd is unmatched, enthusiastically interacting with every child… and every parent. Monkeys Everywhere is immensely silly and more fun than a barrel of monkeys." ★★★★★ -Edinburgh Festivals Magazine
Winner of Best Kids Show (The Besties, chosen by the Fest Kid Critics)
This show was highly rated by all of Fest’s kid critic review team who saw it. Described by one parent as “The only kids show I have ever actually enjoyed,” Monkeys Everywhere achieves the rare feat of being entertaining for both children and adults. - The Besties
Winner of the Best Children's Show (Entertainment NOW)
Nominee for Best Show (the List)
Company Background
About Garry Starr:
Garry Starr is the alter-ego of Australian/British actor and comedian Damien Warren-Smith. His work for adults and general audiences (Classic Penguins, Garry Performs Everything, and Greece Lightning) has been featured at the Edinburgh Fringe, Sydney Fringe, Adelaide Fringe, Gothenburg Fringe and Manchester Fringe. His awards include: WINNER - Best Physical Theatre & Circus (Sydney Fringe 2022), WINNER - Best Comedy (Manchester Fringe 2018), and more! Monkeys Everywhere will be his first production for audiences of all ages.
For more information, please visit the company’s website.
About The Pleasance Theatre Trust:
Starting at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 1985, Pleasance has gone on to become one of the leading voices in national and international fringe theatre and contemporary comedy. Providing a launch pad for some of the most memorable productions and recognisable artists over the past four decades, our mission is to provide a platform for exciting new and established talent.
Now with three sites in Edinburgh (Pleasance Courtyard, Pleasance Dome and Pleasance at EICC) with 30 venues and a year-round home in London, we welcome hundreds of thousands of audiences each year. Our diverse programme of theatre, comedy, dance, circus and children’s shows creates a compelling platform to discover, nurture and support fresh artistic talent from across the globe.
For more information, please visit the company’s website.
About Yarn Theatre:
Yarn is a theatre production company and consultancy. Created in 2023, Yarn produces new work as well as providing support for individual artists and companies as they weave their own stories for performance. This support can be artistic, organisational or administrative. Yarn helps to support, plan, design and deliver projects for a long-term life.
Yarn is the brainchild of Olivia Jacobs, known for her work as a theatre director, creative producer and consultant over the last 25 years. Olivia works collaboratively, facilitating conversation, elevating the skills of those she works with to help create exciting, innovative, ensemble work that has a long-term touring life.
Having worked for Soho Theatre, Nitro (formerly Black Theatre Co-operative), Besht Tellers and as Artistic Director of Camden People’s Theatre , Olivia founded Tall Stories with Co-Director Toby Mitchell in 1997. During her tenure the company produced and directed work in rural community venues, small and mid-scales venues, in the West End, on Broadway, at Sydney Opera House and toured work to six continents. Olivia has forged ongoing connections with venues worldwide, international festivals, promoters, venues and collaborators.
For more information, please visit the company’s website.