The Lion Inside is coming to a theatre near you this season, bringing to life the popular children’s picture book by Rachel Bright and Jim Field. Telling the story of a mouse who wants to find his roar, and exploring themes of fear, confidence and friendship along the way, this heartwarming tale is now brought to the stage with intricate puppetry. If you’re looking for ‘kids’ activities near me’ for the Easter or summer holidays, don’t miss the chance to see this spectacular production adapted and directed by Sarah Punshon.

A talented cast of four actors and puppeteers tells the uplifting story Let’s meet them.

James Keningale - Mouse

Operating the mouse puppet and voicing the character is James Keningale, a graduate of the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. His stage credits include a range of roles in children’s theatre such as The Smartest Giant in Town (West End), How To Hide A Lion (Polka Theatre), The Marvellous Imaginary Menagerie (Les Enfants Terribles), and We’re Going On A Bear Hunt (UK and US tour). He has also appeared in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (UK tour, TLCM), Macbeth (Insane Root) and Play Without a Title (Belgrade Theatre).

Caitlin Mallory - Lion

Caitlin Mallory is operating and voicing the lion. Trained in New York, she earned her BFA in Musical Theatre and BA in Theatre Arts - Directing before moving to London and completing an MA in Classical Acting at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.

Her credits include Night Zero with Swamp Motel, Jessye Norman’s Portrait of a Legend: Sissieretta Jones with Woke Up Famous at the historic Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, and Sonnets and Soul by Michael McElroy with NYC New Studio on Broadway.

Clarke Joseph-Edwards - Puppeteer

An accomplished actor and puppeteer, Clarke trained at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in 2013. He has appeared in a range of children’s theatre productions, recently winning an Olivier award as part of the cast of Hey Duggee Live. His credits also include The Very Hungry Caterpillar (UK tour) and Charlie and Lola’s Bestest Play! (International tour).

Esmée Cook - Understudy/ASM

Esmée trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. She has appeared in a number of productions since graduating, playing Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Young Shakespeare Company) and Lady Macduff in Macbeth (Get Out Of My Space). Her other theatre credits include The Snow Queen (Redgrave Theatre) and The Laramie Project (Bristol Old Vic Weston Studio). In 2023 she had a guest role in Eastenders.

If you’re searching for ‘indoor family fun near me’ to get out and about this year, don’t miss The Lion Inside. Touring the UK from 14 March to 29 August 2024, it’s one of the best things to do with kids this season. Performances are tailored to children, lasting just 55 minutes with no interval, and kids aged three and up will love it. Book your tickets today!