A baby looks at a performer dressed as a sheep
A baby looks at a performer dressed as a sheep
COUNTING SHEEPS
A SLEEPY, SHEEPY SHOW FOR BABIES AND TODDLERS
(AND VERY TIRED GROWN UPS)
Two sheep think they know everything about sleep
They’re experts in the field
But tonight they’re wide awake
Snuggle up and join two sheep on a journey through the joys and frustrations of everything bedtime. A touching, musical adventure filled with sensory play, for 0-3 year olds and their (very tired) grown ups.
In partnership with Hull Libraries and Back to Ours, The Herd toured Counting Sheeps to libraries, community centres and family hubs in Hull from August 2024 to January 2025.
AGE - 0-3 YEARS AND THEIR GROWN UPS
DURATION - 30 MINUTE SHOW + STAY AND PLAY AFTERWARDS
NATIONAL TOUR INCOMING
KEEP YOUR EYES PEELED FOR DATES
CAST
SHEEP PARKEY ABEYRATNE
SHEEP FINLAY MCGUIGAN
SHEEP SOPHIE CLAY
SHEEP STASHA DUKIC
PERFORMING STAGE MANAGER EMMA BRIGHT
MUSICIANS YSABELLE WOMBWELL, SAM CASELEY + JACK CHAMBERLAIN
CREATIVES
CONCEPT BY RUBY THOMPSON + SAM CASELEY
COMPOSER YSABELLE WOMBWELL
DIRECTOR RUBY THOMPSON
DRAMATURG SAM CASELEY
DESIGNER INDIA HARVEY
PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT SUPPORT DANIELLE HARRIS
DEVELOPED AND DEVISED WITH THE CAST
PHOTOGRAPHY HOLLIE MATEER
CHILDHOOD STUDIES ACADEMIC CONSULTANTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF HULL DR JO TRAUNTER + KERRIE LEE
COUNTING SHEEPS WAS DEVELOPED IN AN R+D WITH PERFORMERS EMMA BRIGHT + SOPHIE MERCELL, WITH DESIGNER HANNAH SIBAI
ACCESSIBILITY
COUNTING SHEEPS has limited verbal language. Every performance of COUNTING SHEEPS is relaxed - the audience area is mostly well lit, it's ok to come, go and make noise if you need to.
There will be moments of darkness for shadow puppetry. This transition will be gentle.
The show takes place in family hubs, schools, and various community spaces. The audience sit very close to the stage, on soft carpeted floor. Hard chairs with backs are available. We ask that audiences take off their shoes, if they can, before entering the show.
To protect the set, we ask that you don't eat or drink anything other than water or milk in a bottle in the space. Breastfeeding is very welcome throughout.
And the end of the show, the performers will leave the space and they'll be an opportunity to explore and play together for up to 50 minutes.
If you'd like to find out exactly what happens in the show and your more information about your visit, please read our What to Expect guide.
If you'd like a quick introduction to the show for yourself or your child, you can have a look at our overview page.
THE MAKING OF COUNTING SHEEPS
The show began with 10 weeks of baby play sessions in 2023, in partnership with Bransholme Chat, Back to Ours. We worked with 50 families over this time, to explore how babies react to different forms of performance. The R+D was supported by Childhood Studies academics, from The Univeristy of Hull.
COUNTING SHEEPS is presented in partnership with
Supported by
