"All my endeavour is to make people believe in and love Nature as I love her"

The extraordinary life and times of Arthur Patterson (writer, cartoonist, zookeeper, warehouseman, showman, pupil-teacher, puppeteer, truancy officer but above all recorder of the natural history of his beloved Breydon Water ), as seen through the eyes of his wife Alice and his daughter Nellie. Undaunted by a poverty stricken childhood in 19th century Great Yarmouth, 7 children to support,and chronic lack of funds, our hero corresponds with learned scientists, takes tae and talks birds with his friend the Duchess, and swops tales of poaching and wildfowling aith the almost feral Breydoners. With Arthur's own drawings, original music and projections; two actors and a great variety of puppet characters tell the story of a man whose heart's desire was to be recognised as a "proper naturalist".

Review by Eve Stebbing with thanks to the Eastern Daily Press:

Knowlittle
Eve Stebbing
Fisher Theatre, Bungay
It is always such a thrill to me to see anything in The Fisher Theatre. I remember the beginning of the campaign to reopen it: the dream of bringing alive a theatre that had been purpose built by actor manager David Fisher in 1828 but had since seen service as a corn hall and steam laundry! And it is surely ideal for this theatre to be promoting work about the likes of renowned naturalist Arthur Patterson,
a man who also worked under the noms de
plumes Knowlittle and Lord Mudflat.

This was a thoroughly comprehensive view of his life. Amongst other details, we learnt of a difficult childhood in which his brothers and sisters died of TB; his burgeoning love of wildlife (natterjack toads in the cupboards and snakeskins in the sofa) and his association with the Duchess of Bedford, a contact who was to help assure the fame he deserved.

Paul Preston Mills, as Patterson, could not have been better cast, and writer/producer Meg Amsden made a caring daughter. As usual with Meg's work, the puppets were beautifully made, and this time particular attention was paid to shadow play, one of Arthur's own specialisms. Fascinating material, and excellent performers, who gave a loving overview of the work of one of Norfolk's great men.

What if the crisp packet you'd just thrown away came to life and begged you to take it home? This is just what happens to Katie Dumpster as she paddles her boat down the backwaters of the river, on what is clearly going to be a very strange summer's day.

As more litter floats downstream from the city and lands in mounting piles on the river-bank, a scavenging gull gets into a tangle, and the Watervoles watch helplessly as a mysterious robot arm carries off their Baby, trapped in a discarded wine-bottle.

Katie tries to help, but only adds to their problems, until Lord Pike, the Waterwolf, takes her under his fin. Together they hatch a plan to rescue Baby from the Rubbish Monster, but Lord Pike himself is being stalked by a very determined fisherman...

The story, told with puppets, live characters, music, songs, a great deal of humour, and audience participation, is an animals' eye-view of human beings and their wasteful ways.

From spring blossom & summer fruiting, to autumn harvest & leaf-fall, Pip sings as she swings from the branch of an old apple tree. A show for 3-6 year olds, with storytelling, exquisite puppets, an atmospheric set, original music & songs to join in with. Suitable for nurseries, playgroups, first & pre-schools. Also, for 3-6 year olds & their families, at Apple Days & Festivals. The show can be performed inside or in the open air. There is a Teachers Pack & an illustrated book of 'Apple Pip'.

Click here for a review of Apple Pip by Roger Deakin.