PRESS RELEASE
18 January 2018
Immediate release
ORIGAMI PUPPETS AND A FAST BULLET TRAIN COME TO HALF MOON THEATRE ON SATURDAY 3 FEBRUARY
“A little cooked rice ball, Mochi Man, despite being the very last scrap in the pan,runs away to seek his fortune, in the country of Japan!”
A Thousand Cranes in association with artsdepotbring Little Mochi Man, their brand new piece of inventive theatre for young audience, to Half Moon Theatre on Saturday 3 February for families and children aged 3-7.
Mixing modern with traditional Japanese forms of storytelling and inspired by the traditions of Shogatsu (Japanese New Year celebrations), Little Mochi Manis thought provoking, funny and just a little bit different. With origami puppets, animation and specially composed music, this is the perfect introduction to Japan for young children.
It’s almost New Year and little Mochi Man, tired of being bullied because of his small size, decides to run away. Join him on his adventures as he travels from the snowy mountains of Hokkaido, to the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, meeting many wondrous creatures and characters along the way, including The Gingerbread Man and a very fast bullet train!
What dangers lurk around the corner? Will he make friends, and will he make it back home in time for the celebrations?
A Thousand Cranes was founded by director and writer Vicky Ireland and performer Kumiko Mendl in 2006 to creatively diversify UK Children’s touring theatre, bringing the extraordinary and fascinating stories, traditions, art forms and artists of Japan to young audiences.
Chris Elwell, Director of Half Moon commented: “We’re delighted to welcome A Thousand Cranes to Half Moon with their visual, vibrant and inventive theatre for young audiences. Inspired by stories and traditions from Japan, Little Mochi Man is a wonderful way to introduce new cultures and traditions to young audiences.”
All tickets are priced at £7 and can be obtained by visiting the Box Office or by calling 020 7709 8900. Tickets are also available online at
ENDS
LISTINGS DETAILS
A Thousand Cranes in association with artsdepot present
Little Mochi Man
Saturday 3 February | 11am & 2pm
Ages 3-7| 50 minutes
Half Moon Theatre
43 White Horse Road, London E1 0ND
Tickets: £7
Box Office: 020 7709 8900 or online at
ON SALE NOW
NOTES TO EDITORS
FURTHER DETAILS
For further information or to arrange interviews, photographs and press tickets please contact Stephen Beeny on 020 7709 8907 or
A promotion image for the production can be downloaded from Dropbox:
ABOUT HALF MOON
Half Moon is the UK’s leading small-scale young people’s venue and touring company. It is a local organisation with a national remit, committed to supporting artists and young people at every stage of their creative development. Working from our base in East London, we specialise in new writing and artform development, acting as a gateway organisation that provides pathways for progression and experimentation. Our wide-ranging programme reaches 53,000 people annually and engages those who are often excluded from arts activity. Our activity includes a season of professional plays for young audiences, national touring productions and an extensive creative learning programme, including seven youth theatres. Half Moon is a National Portfolio Organisation of Arts Council England and receives regular funding from the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.
Half Moon’s digital archive is available at
@HalfMoonTheatre
For press enquiries please contact: Stephen Beeny
Communications Manager
020 7709 8907