Birdlife Production Profiles

We are Bridget and Roger Sanders, 
a Nelson based partnership
committed to creating theatre
to inspire, delight and inform. Together we have been telling stories, playing with puppets
​and making theatre for many years.
As well as writing all our own material,
we make our own puppets, props
and sets, incorporating live music
​ and plenty of wonder!

​​Bridget is a Writer, Director, Actor,
Puppeteer and Set/Props/Puppet Maker
who has studied to degree level both
Performing and Visual Arts.
After a career as a Visual Artist Bridget joined
the 'Body In Space' theatre company
as Principle Set Designer and Costume
and Prop Maker which renewed her interest in Acting (2011). Bridget’s Play writing and Directing include ‘Romeo in the Tearooms at Pergutory Junction’ (Nelson Arts Festival 2013),
‘Birdlife’ (Best Direction – Nelson Fringe Festival 2015),  ​‘Not I, Not I’ (2015)
​ and ‘The Magnificent Man in the Moon’ (2017).
More recently Bridget has been focusing
her skills creating theatre for children
​ as she believes wholeheartedly in the need to inspire new generations of hungry
minds​ and hearts with good stories
that connect them to the greater mysteries of life!

Roger is a Traditional Storyteller, Actor, Musician, Puppeteer and Improviser, with over 30 year’s experience as a performer and creator of theatre.
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 performs regularly as a Storyteller and Improviser, loves creating original theatre and helping children connect
with each other​ and express their creativity
​ through his regular drama classes and workshops.

Mapua Literary Festival, 2017. Photo by Tim Hawthorne