The sun beats down on two travellers, journeying across a mysterious land in a contraption they've built themselves. They sing, play games, and tell stories inspired by a collection of precious things they've gathered from a time gone by.
With live music and puppetry, Stories in the Dust is a funny, heartfelt and hopeful eco-fable that takes you to another world. A world where an ancient book guides your way, a drop of rain changes everything and a mighty lion holds its secrets in an old clay pot.
Will our intrepid explorers make it? They're full of ideas and full of hope but dangerously low on baked beans.
Stories in the Dust is a forward-thinking Southwest company reimagining sustainable touring.
Their current touring show, of the same name, blends live music, puppetry and bold storytelling to explore themes of displacement, environmental awareness and hope.
Stories in the Dust launched their slow touring model in 2023. This model of touring serves to embed their work into communities, developing longer term engagement through the delivery of accompanying workshops and projects.
This regularly results in a project called Young Voices, which elevates the thoughts and feelings of young people around climate change.
The show, and its extensive wraparound content, has been developed in partnership with Ian Williams, Professor of Applied Environmental Science at Southampton University. Together, they have combined drama and science in what they call COMARTS.
COMARTS endeavours to educate young people on important subjects, such a the climate crisis, through accessible, fun and inspiring workshops alongside the show.
Thanks to funding from the Sustainability and Resilience Institute, Stories in the Dust continue their sustainability work, and are currently developing an impact monitoring tool alongside researcher Sammy Wood.
The show is made of 90% materials and tours with a low output lighting rig. Stories in the Dust are on the Touring Committee for the Theatre Green Book and are associate artists for the Climate Museum UK.
Stories in the Dust was developed thanks to public funding from Arts Council England and in partnership with MAST Mayflower Studios, Pound Arts, Wiltshire Creative, Southampton University and Crying Out Loud.