'The Enchanted Forest.- Immersive Theatre

Synopsis – 
On Midsummer’s Eve, a group of children  are guided by a gentle park keeper to a hidden door deep in the forest. He gives them a key and a message: “Only those who truly listen to nature can see its magic.” With this, they step into a forgotten Britain—a realm shaped by ancient myths, forest spirits, and creatures of folklore, all born from the living landscape.

As they journey deeper into the woods, the children meet mythical beings woven from trees, flora and fauna, water stones, and wind—each offering a story, a riddle, or a moment of reflection. These encounters aren’t just part of the adventure—they awaken something inside: a sense of curiosity, responsibility, and belonging to the natural world.

Through play, song, and shared discovery, the children learn that nature speaks in many voices—and they’ve always had the power to hear it. But reaching the heart of the forest comes with a final challenge: can they carry what they’ve learned back into the everyday world, or will the magic fade with the summer light?

This immersive experience invites children to connect with the earth through imagination and myth, reminding them that wonder begins not in far-off lands, but in the world around them—if only they open their eyes and imagination and learn how to see.

Workshops- And School Projects

Golden Bough Theatre: “Myth in the Wild” – Nature Workshop Series with devised performance

Project Title: Myth in the Wild: Discovering Nature Through Performance

Overview:
Golden Bough Theatre invites schools to take part in an immersive, creative project that connects children to their local natural environments through storytelling, folklore, and performance. Set in nearby parks, woods, ecology centres, nature reserves, this project offers a unique blend of environmental education and theatrical exploration designed to awaken imagination and ecological awareness.

Aim:
To inspire children to build a meaningful relationship with their local natural world by engaging with it through myth-making, sensory exploration, and collaborative theatre-making.

Project Format:

Phase 1: Explore & Connect (1 Day Workshop)
Children are taken to their nearest green space—be it a park, woodland, or nature reserve—for a guided sensory and story-led exploration. They learn about native trees, birds, insects, and plants while hearing folk stories and local myths tied to the landscape.

Activities include:

  • Nature scavenger hunt with storytelling prompts

  • Introduction to ancient seasonal festivals (like Beltane or Midsummer)

  • Drawing and writing responses to nature

  • Meeting “Guardians of the Forest” (performers in character or symbolic storytelling)

Phase 2: Create & Devise (2–3 In-School Workshops)
Back in school, children work with theatre facilitators to devise their own short performances based on their experiences. They create characters inspired by trees, rivers, weather, or imagined spirits of the park.

Workshops include:

  • Character-building and storytelling games

  • Physical theatre, folk dance and song sessions

  • Group scene-making

  • Costume and prop creation using natural or recycled materials

Phase 3: Perform & Share (Optional Final Event)
The project culminates in an outdoor performance either at the original nature site or in the school’s grounds. Parents, carers, and community members are invited to witness the children's journey through story, movement, and sound.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Deepened awareness and understanding of the local natural environment

  • Increased confidence through performance and group collaboration

  • Creative expression and imaginative thinking

  • Emotional literacy through character exploration and storytelling

  • A sense of stewardship and connection to nature

Suitable For:

Key Stage 2 (Years 3–6), adaptable for older or younger groups

Ideal Locations for Nature walks:
Local nature reserves, ecology centres, woodlands, or school gardens

Delivery Team:
Professional theatre practitioners from Golden Bough Theatre, with experience in ritual performance, environmental education, and child-centred pedagogy will visit the school for delivery.