THE GREAT BIG DINOSAUR SHOW

(Touring autumn 23 - spring 24)

Publication of A First Book of Dinosaurs will coincide with Simon’s new touring show called ‘THE GREAT BIG DINOSAUR SHOW’.

Which dinosaur menaced the seas instead of the land? Which dinosaur was barely the size of a dog, and which made a noise like a goat playing a didgeridoo? And what could a CHICKEN possibly be doing in The Great Big Dinosaur Show?!

Simon and musician Gecko will entertain with a joyful, interactive show packed full of poems, raps and songs about all your favourite prehistoric protagonists (and some you haven’t heard of yet).

Aimed at families and young audiences of 3-11yrs, ‘THE GREAT BIG DINOSAUR SHOW’ will premiere this Autumn with four shows at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History on Monday 23rd and Tuesday 24th October.

It will tour to theatres, arts centres, libraries and festivals in Autumn 2023 and Spring 2024.

I LOVE MY CAT (currently touring)

Cats are the best! Join acclaimed children’s poet Simon Mole to celebrate our furry feline friends and get creative with some fun (and quite silly) games - there’s no wrong answers here, you’ll always land on your feet!

This 45 minute event for families begins with a performance of Simon’s brand new picture book, followed by a range of games and activities to inspire pet-lovers of all ages…

I Love My Cat is written by Simon Mole, illustrated by Sam Usher, and published by Frances Lincoln Childrens Books (Quarto). It is the sequel to I Love My Bike (2021). 

Created & performed by Simon Mole
Puppetry Consultant Robyn Olivia

Events funded by National Lottery Project Grants Arts Council England

POETRY PICNIC (toured 2020-2021)

A snack heavy celebration of music and poetry, at which me and musician Gecko help young people write a poem and then give them a chance to perform it alongside some fantastic professional guest artists/poets. We will also play some Beatles meets the Beastie Boys style bangers of our own. Come together. Write Now!

Created & Performed by Simon Mole, Gecko & Peader Kirk
Activity Pack Design & Illustration by Anna Bruder
Publicity & PR by Alison Duguid
Graphic Design by Nick Thompson
Produced by Rua Arts
Funded by Arts Council England
Supported by the Albany, and Apples and Snakes

I Love My Bike (currently touring)

Nobody forgets the thrill of riding a bike for the first time, even if it can feel like an uphill battle to begin with. Join acclaimed children’s author Simon Mole to celebrate that excitement, or start the quest towards it.

This 45 minute event for 4-7 yr olds begins with a performance of Simon’s brand new picturebook, followed by some fun (and quite silly) games - spin the word wheel and take part in the pedal power challenge to unlock your creative powers! 

If your little word wizard doesn’t need stabilisers we can shift gears quickly to introduce some mega metaphors and super similes. We promise it’ll be wheely good, even if you’re over-tyred…

Created & performed by Simon Mole
Event Photography by James White
Events funded by National Lottery Project Grants Arts Council England
Book Illustrations by Sam Usher
Book Published by Quarto Books

Mole & Gecko: The Show (toured 2019-2020)

An interactive rap musical about a Mole and a Gecko starring Simon Mole & Gecko

Mole and Gecko is an interactive rap musical that you (the audience) help create. There are live songs, rap stories, instant poems and a weasel with a serious biscuit problem. Join our heroes as they discover that what they thought they were searching for might be less important than what they find along the way.

Written & Performed by Simon Mole & Gecko
Direction & Design by Peader Kirk
Set & Costume Making by Amanda Mascarenhas
Photography by Hugo Glendinning
PR Management by Alison Duguid
Project Management Rua Arts
Funded by Arts Council England National Lottery Project Grants
Supported by Apples and Snakes, the Albany, Arts Depot, Half Moon Theatre, Norden Farm and Roundhouse

Friends For All (toured 2017-2018)

8 year old Lexi doesn’t make friends as easily as some. If only her school would allow a non-school uniform day then she could be herself and find others like her. Inspired by Grandad’s hippy stories from the swinging 60s, she decides to fight the powers that be, namely her class teacher, Mr Marsh, and the class bully, Suzy. Friends For All is an interactive spoken word performance for families, with rapping, dancing and far-out video projections. It is a story about having the confidence to be yourself and stand up for what you believe in.

Created by Simon Mole & Peader Kirk
Script and Performance Simon Mole
Direction & Design Peader Kirk
Video Design Andrew Crofts
Sound Design Jonathan Wharton
Understudy Grace Courtney
Stage Management Andy Shewan
Project Management by Maeve O’Neill
Filmed performers: Leentje Van de Cruys, Benji Reid, Michael Forrest, Matthew Fenton & Janet Browne

No More Worries (toured 2015)

Kieran is 27, and stuck in a dead-end sea-side town. He wants to see the world, one exotic cocktail at a time. But tonight there’s a UK garage revival on at Rileys, and Sambuca’s half price. Paul is 50 and on the road again, a British Lebowski in an old skool campervan. Trusting in tai chi and the power of sevens, he’s on a quest to reconcile then and now. Join this mismatched couple on their road-trip through austerity Britain, searching for the perfect holiday moment. Sometimes the past is the only thing you can’t leave behind.

Created by Simon Mole & Peader Kirk
Performed by Simon Mole & Peader Kirk
Lighting Design by Nigel Edwards
Sound Design by BJ Neilson
Project Management by Maeve O’Neill
Co-produced by Apples and Snakes, The Albany and ARC Stockton
Supported by Arts Council England

Indiana Jones & the extra chair (toured 2012-2014)

Join our hero Mike for his toughest adventure yet, meeting his mum’s new boyfriend! Relating to your relations isn’t always easy, and it’s often on those rare occasions when everyone sits down to eat together that things really kick off.

Written & Performed by Simon Mole
Direction & Design by Peader Kirk
Project Management by Maeve O’Neill
Co-produced by Apples and Snakes
Developed with support from the Albany and Spread The Word
Supported by Arts Council England