This was a delightful children’s sort-of-opera that toured in 2022, starting at Leicester’s Curve and ending at London’s Southbank, in a co-production between 509 Arts, Hull Truck, and Mind the Gap. Meal One was based on the 1971 children’s book of the same name, by Ivor Culter, with illustrations by Helen Oxenbury
Part One: introduces us to the three main characters:
Young Helbert, his mum, and Old Helbert the narrator. Young Helbert wakes up one morning to find he has a plum in his mouth. Having eaten it, he wants to bury the stone. His mother suggests planting it beneath his bed
Part Two: Zaggy Splinters is about them cutting a hole in the floorboards beneath his bed.
Part Three: they deliver an incantation and are amazed when a huge tree grows up from the floorboards to fill up young Helbert’s bedroom.
Part Four: Young Helbert climbs a branch but falls and cuts his arm.
Part Five: they discover, to their horror, that the tree in Helbert’s bedroom has grown roots downstairs in the kitchen, eating all his breakfast.
Part Six: Poor Young Helbert wants his breakfast. His mum goes to the clock on the wall and turns the arms back.
Part Seven: Young Helbert waked in his bed to discover that he does not have a plum in his mouth. His mother calls him down for breakfast – Meal One!
Cast and Creative
Adapted and directed by: Alan Dix
Music: Felix Cross
Set Design & Costumes: Naomi Parker
Digital Design: Fabric Lenny
Music Director: Dan McGlade
Choreography: Hannah and Drew Winnie-Hawkins
Lighting Design: Simon Bedwell
Mum: Zara Mallinson
Young Helbert: Isaac Sugden
Old Helbert: Sandeep Gurrapadi