The Cat-Astrophic Adventures of Dollop and Crinkle

A tale of new friends and disastrous adventures.

In partnership with Half Moon theatre, we co-commissioned poets Henry Maddicott and Kirk-Ann Roberts to create a show exploring SPINE 2021’s festival theme of Empathy for 7 – 11 year olds. The result was ‘The CAT-Astrophic Adventure of Adventures of Dollop and Crinkle’ and will be toured both digitally and physically across 16 London boroughs.

This play will be taking place in person on:

• 10.30-11.30am Wed 23 June at Woolwich Library – Free, just turn up
• 10.30-11.30am Thu 24 Jun at Newham Library (Beckton Globe 1 Kingsford Way, E6 5JQ) – Free, just turn up 

The following libraries are also hosting an online version of the play. These are also free, just get a ‘ticket’ to receive your link to watch:

• Islington – showing throughout the month of June, select your date on their eventbrite page
• Brent Libraries – 11, 18 and 25 June. Book your free ticket through their eventbrite page
• Hammersmith & Fullham – Sat 12 June (online)
• Wandsworth – Sun 13, Fri 18 June (online)
• Lewisham – showing through the month of June. select your date on their eventbrite page

Watch the trailer below for a preview of the play:

When Crusty and his scruffy cat Dollop arrive on Supreme Street, things will never be the same again. After meeting their neighbours, Dr. D and her spotless feline Crinkle, things quickly get out of hand. Soon there’s a full-scale battle of words, tinned beans and cooking pots, fuelled by misunderstandings and the inability to listen to others.  

This spoken word poetry show is heartfelt, provocative and full of quirky humour, telling the action-packed story of new friendships and adventures that go cat-astrophically wrong.  

The Cat-Astrophic Adventures of Dollop and Crinkle is a Half Moon and Apples and Snakes co-production: an exciting collaboration by the UK’s leading small-scale young people’s theatre company and England’s leading spoken word poetry organisation, commissioned in association with SPINE Festival 2021.  

This play is available to watch either physically or digitally with SPINE 2021 library partners, head to the borough’s page to learn more. 

If viewing digitally, please note this filmed play has closed captioning for d/Deaf and hard of hearing audiences and is also available with British Sign Language.

Meet the poets behind The Cat-Astrophic Adventures of Dollop and Crinkle

Kirk-Ann Roberts

Kirk-Ann Roberts is a Caribbean-born, London-based playwright, theatre director, and spoken word poet. A Roundhouse Resident Artist and graduate of the Young Vic Directors programme , she has gone on to work with theatre companies including Talawa, Pleasance, and Emergency Exit Arts. Innovation, honesty and inclusivity are at the heart of Kirk-Ann’s work which often focuses on themes of identity and home and always reflects her commitment to championing under-represented voices. 

Instagram – kirkann.roberts

Twitter – kirkannroberts

headshot credit – Helen Murray

Henry Madd

Henry Madd is an award winning poet, educator and theatre maker. He has worked on multiple theatre in education shows and regularly delivers drama and creative writing workshops to schools, theatres and charities. Two time Kent Slam Champ Henry is known for his energetic and heartfelt performances captivating audiences across the country and internationally.

With thanks to

Those involved in the realisation of the live and digital show:

• Dramaturgy and additional script text, Rosemary Harris
• Composer and sound design, Mark Newnham
• Stage and costume design, Alison Cartledge
• Production management and lighting design, Samuel Baker
• Additional sound design and production, Tom Fox-Conner (Singing Cactus)
• Technical stage management, Rori Endersby
• Camera operators, Chris Parker and Ed Sunman
• Edit by Fresh Label
• British sign language interpreter, Thomas Simper
• Directed by Chris Elwell