What Happened to You? Library and Studio Version

A Charity Shop, you know what they’re like. All odds and ends, the stuff that didn’t quite fit. Things are mixed up together, on rails, in boxes. Perhaps there’s something in that bright yellow wardrobe…

Photographs by Graeme Braidwood

What Happened to You? follows Little Red, Noodles and Bo, three raggedy puppets, trying to enjoy their day…but there are so many busy bodies getting in their way!

But today will be different, they are going to play by their own rules and show the grown-ups who’s boss. Today, they are going to open everyone’s eyes to see the endless world of adventures that are possible when you just give someone the chance.

What Happened to You? Is a semi-autobiographical puppetry show by artist Nikki Charlesworth, who throws away the rulebook with these award-winning puppets that reflect her own physicality and move as she moves.

Features creative Audio Description embedded into an original score and British Sign Language translation throughout, ensuring the show is accessible and inclusive.

You can stay and meet the puppets!

This libraries version of What Happened to You? is supported by Inspire; Culture, Learning and Libraries and The Spark Arts for Children through Vital Spark, a movement addressing the lack of diversity in the Performance for Young Audiences sector.

The Luckiest Girl Alive

Co-Designed and Directed by Nikki Charlesworth, Amy Duran and Rachel Leggett.
Story: Hoda Ali.
Research consultation: Jacqueline Hoover.
Created in association with Charity 28TooMany. View their website here.

This verbatim performance follows the life of activist and campaigner Hoda Ali, in her epic journey across the globe as her family sought medical care from the dangerous effects of FGM.

The performance premiered at Nottingham Puppet Festival 2018. In attendance were the general public, representatives of charities Mojatu and 28TooMany, and Hoda’s friends and family.

A second performance took place at Leyton Sixth Form College, funded by Waltham Forest Council. In attendance were local politicians, representatives of charities The Vavengers and 28TooMany, and activist and campaigner Hibo Wardere.

“You respected her [Hoda’s] story and you lifted her up.” – Hibo Wardere, activist, campaigner and educator.