Performing

A selection of projects in which Fran has been involved as a performer can be found below.

When Trees Could Speak

Writer, Performer, and Producer | Brambledash

Fern the Folklorogist lives in the woods and has secrets and stories to tell.

Join Fern for an immersive and magical storytelling show about trees, friendship and the importance of nature in our lives. Funny and heart-warming with original songs and puppets.

Suitable for children over 3 years old and their families.

From Brambledash theatre in association with the Sussex Wildlife Trust.

“This wonderful story makes the big themes of trees and woodland ecology accessible to children and adults… Joyful experiences like this in natural places become lasting memories.”
Mike Murphy, Sussex Wildlife Trust

“I feel like I’ve been on an adventure!”
Luna, aged 4

Fran Moulds as Fern, holding puppet © Drew Worthley/Brambledash — © Drew Worthley/Brambledash

Fran Moulds as Fern © Drew Worthley/Brambledash — © Drew Worthley/Brambledash

Writer, Performer, and Producer: Fran Moulds
Puppet maker: Katherine Morton
Designer: Sean Turner
Clown consultant: Jools Voce
Puppetry consultant: Darren East
Stage manager: Maddy Healy

About Brambledash

Brambledash creates magical immersive theatre to inspire children and connect them with nature.

Founded by Fran Moulds, Brambledash works with children across Sussex in partnership with forest school groups, primary schools, and community organisations.

brambledash.co.uk

The Lost Lending Library

Co-writer and Performer | Punchdrunk Enrichment

“The Lost Lending Library has been an amazing experience for the children and a fantastic writing stimulus” Headteacher, 2014

An interest in books leads a local librarian to a primary school, where they discuss literature and favourite books and stories. The discovery of a strange mysterious locked book and a shared love of the book ‘How to Live Forever’ by Colin Thompson leads to the mysterious arrival of the Lost Lending Library.

800 floors high and containing every book and story in the world, the library jumps from place to place and arrives where it knows it can meet great storywriters.

Pupils at the school are guided through the library by the guardian ‘Peabody’ and are inspired to write their own stories.

About Punchdrunk Enrichment

In 2008, Punchdrunk began a groundbreaking experiment in reaching out to children, young people and the wider community with activities that focus on the innate creativity and imagination of the individual. Fran has been working with Punchdrunk Enrichment since 2009.

punchdrunk.org.uk/enrichment

The House Where Winter Lives

Co-writer and Performer (Mrs Winter) | Punchdrunk Enrichment

winter800 — Fran Moulds and Matthew Blake in The House Where Winter Lives © Punchdrunk

The House Where Winter Lives is an immersive storytelling adventure for children aged three to six years old.

Mr and Mrs Winter invite children to join them in their warm and welcoming cottage, as they are preparing for a winter feast. Unfortunately they’ve mislaid the key to their larder! The children join them on their journey through a secret forest to find the missing key.

From November 2012 to January 2013, Punchdrunk Enrichment transformed The Discover Children’s Story Centre in Stratford, East London, into a magical frozen forest where children and their families could explore the wonder of winter. The show had a sold out run at the Perth International Festival in February 2014.

“This stunning little show is a magical achievement” The Times

“This production…leaves you totally delighted.” ☆☆☆☆ The Guardian

“The coolest kids show in town.” ☆☆☆☆ Time Out

“Sweet and almost poignantly old-fashioned…This show is definitely recommended.” ☆☆☆☆ The Telegraph

Commissioned by Discover Children’s Story Centre, Stratford, East London. Funded by Arts Council England and Esmee Fairbairn Foundation.

About Punchdrunk Enrichment

punchdrunk.org.uk/enrichment

Inspiration Days

Performer and supporting writer | Adventures in Learning

From Greek Gods who have been evicted from Olympus to explorers with no sense of direction, primary classes face an unusual day at school when strange characters burst into the classroom with a big problem that only pupils can fix. A world of possibilities open up when fossils are discovered beneath the playground, a lady with a mysterious suitcase needs help unlocking the contents and Zeus strides into the school hall.

“The workshops that were tailor-made to fit our topics were both engaging and exciting for the children and adults! Coney made learning come to life and inspired every child…”  Jehan Morbi, Assistant Head at St Eugene de Mazenod Primary School, London

Adventures in Learning

Adventures in Learning are interactive stories that take place in the classroom to motivate formal learning. They’re made with all the attention to detail and artistic values that characterises Coney’s work for adults, but are constructed in close collaboration with teachers to create an engaging narrative framework within which learning can be delivered.

Fran has been working with Coney since 2009. She is a regular contributor to Coney’s Adventures in Learning, having worked on projects including Arabian Nights, Inspiration Days, A Cat Escapes, and Rhyme Rocket.

coneyhq.org/learning-participation

A Cat Escapes

Performer and facilitator | Adventures in Learning

“The most exciting and motivating project I’ve done in 22 years of teaching.” 
Claire Lound, participating teacher at Furzedown Primary School

Jasmine the kitten has been cat-napped, and Varjak Paw himself contacts the class to ask for their urgent help.

Alone in a small room, Jasmine learns to type, and communicates with the pupils by email. Over six interactive episodes the class must work together to help Jasmine escape and find her way back to Varjak. A final twist in the narrative brings two live performers to the class to deliver a dramatic finale.

How can Jasmine design a structure that will allow her to see out of the window? What is the terrifying black ghost that follows her around? Can pupils distract the cat-nappers for long enough to allow Jasmine to escape?

Linking closely to the Key Stage 2 curriculum, A Cat Escapes is Coney’s flagship Adventure in Learning and has been enjoyed by more than 1,500 primary school pupils across the UK.

Based on the award-winning Varjak Paw novels by S. F. Said, the adventure casts pupils as heroes in an engrossing, responsive narrative that motivates them to learn.

Adventures in Learning

Fran is a regular contributor to Adventures in Learning, having worked on projects including Arabian Nights, Inspiration Days, A Cat Escapes, and Rhyme Rocket.

coneyhq.org/learning-participation