Birdlife Productions are a creative partnership who believe wholeheartedly in the need to inspire the minds and hearts of children with good stories, that connect them to the greater mysteries of life!
Together they have been telling stories, playing with puppets and making theatre for many years and, as well as writing all their own material, they make all their own puppets, props and sets, incorporating live music and plenty of wonder!
Together they have been telling stories, playing with puppets and making theatre for many years and, as well as writing all their own material, they make all their own puppets, props and sets, incorporating live music and plenty of wonder!
Roger is a traditional storyteller, actor, musician, puppeteer and improviser, with over 30 year’s experience as a performer and theatre maker. He was a founding member of the UK storytelling and music troupe 'The Firebird’s Feather’ (UK, 1995), the ‘Body in Space’ theatre company (2010), ‘Birdlife Productions’ (2015), and the improvisation troupe ‘Peoples Republic of Improv’ (2017). Since 2011, Roger has been collaborating with Japanese Master Puppeteer, Akiko Myamoto, and takes every opportunity for ongoing training in physical theatre and improvisation. Performance highlights include the solo show ‘The End of the Golden Weather’ (Nelson 2009), Philias Fogg ‘Around the World in 80 Days’ (2013), ‘A Midsummer Nights Dream’ (2017) and ‘The Magnificent Man in the Moon’ (2017). Roger recently completed further training with John Bolton in Melbourne (2019).
Bridget founded Birdlife Productions Theatre Company as a response to her desire to create a fulltime professional occupation from a lifetimes’ accumulated skills. Currently Bridget works full time for the company as Producer, Marketer, and Creative Director as well as sharing the Performing and Touring of their children’s theatre shows around New Zealand. Bridget established a career as a Visual Artist for over 20 years while being a Library Assistant at NMIT, Nelson. After becoming involved in ‘The Body In Space’ Theatre Company in 2012 as a ‘maker’ and set designer, she grew a thirst for knowledge about acting and creating theatre. Her passion now lies in taking high quality work into New Zealand schools to enrich children’s lives and inspire the Creatives of the future. Bridget won ‘Best Direction’ for ‘Birdlife’, Nelson Fringe, 2015. ‘Kōkako’s Song’, a children’s show about the magic of the New Zealand Forest, was shortlisted for Playmarket ‘Plays for the young’ and nominated for ‘Best Visiting show’ Dunedin Theatre awards, 2017. In 2018 she co-created ‘Kōtuku and the Moon Child’ which toured successfully in 2019 in New Zealand and UK and Europe.
Bridget recently completed further training with John Bolton in Melbourne (2019).
Bridget recently completed further training with John Bolton in Melbourne (2019).
Receiving 'People's Choice Award'
Teatr lalki i aktora w Łomży
Poland, June 2019
Teatr lalki i aktora w Łomży
Poland, June 2019
WINNER: PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD Festival Valise, Poland. 2019
WINNER: GREEN LIGHT LIST AWARD New Zealand Fringe, 2019
WINNER: OUTSTANDING DESIGN Dunedin Fringe Festival, 2019
NOMINATED: BEST FAMILY SHOW Guildford Fringe Festival, UK, 2019
NOMINATED: BEST VISITING SHOW Dunedin Theatre Awards, 2017 and 2019
WINNER: GREEN LIGHT LIST AWARD New Zealand Fringe, 2019
WINNER: OUTSTANDING DESIGN Dunedin Fringe Festival, 2019
NOMINATED: BEST FAMILY SHOW Guildford Fringe Festival, UK, 2019
NOMINATED: BEST VISITING SHOW Dunedin Theatre Awards, 2017 and 2019
Mapua Literary Festival, 2017. photo by Tim Hawthorne
