In the Beginning...

I can't remember exactly how old I was when I started writing scripts in order to put on shows with the marionettes I'd collected. I was already hooked on live theatre and movies, thanks to my mother who took me to see anything suitable from quite an early age. I embarrassed her once by sobbing loudly at a film called 'Gypsy Colt'. I got so invested... and still do. It was about a beautiful young horse and, I guess, must have involved some sad scenes but I don't really remember. My dad was responsible for nurturing a love of reading as he had taken me to Wood Green library as soon as I was old enough to join. Sadly, that beautiful building was knocked down to make way for a monstrous office block. Sacrilege! I will never forget the joy I felt walking up Lordship Lane with Dad and entering the children's library to choose a wonderful new adventure to delve into.

Anyway, the point is that I was hooked on hearing and telling stories. I received a Pelham puppet every Christmas and luckily had a friend who also decided to collect them. Her father owned a small factory that made spectacles and he kindly built us an enclosed stage in one corner in which we could perform. The Clover Puppet Company was born! I wrote scripts and we enrolled a couple of friends to help with 'the action'. We found music to back the show, painted scenery and adapted little costumes and props. I still have the programmes.

Our audience comprised of long-suffering family members and a few friends. Luckily for them, the shows weren't too long but I am forever grateful for the support and patience of those people and for my fellow puppeteers. It fuelled my passion for all genres of storytelling which has been one of the greatest joys of my life. Little did I know that one day, I would take four one-act plays I'd written and directed to the Edinburgh Fringe. Special thanks to my friend, 'Canny Jones' and her family.