Play for children in hospital premieres in Bristol

Minny Stynker is a theatre production, a picture book and an augmented reality experience

A mum whose baby son spent a month in neonatal intensive care has directed a play about her experience.

Artistic director Tomasin Cuthbert has come up with Minny Stynker, a project that addresses barriers faced by children receiving serious healthcare treatment.

Bristol-based theatre company Soap Soup Theatre are now fundraising to make the project happen.

Ms Cuthbert said: "This project is very close to our hearts and has emerged from some incredible and generous collaboration with healthcare providers and families of children with life-altering illnesses."

The project has been developed alongside families caring for children with serious illnesses

'Huge boost'

Minny Stynker is a theatre production, a picture book and an augmented reality experience.

The project has been developed alongside families caring for children with serious illnesses and is endorsed by University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust.

Kate, a parent of a child involved in early research workshops, said: “Soap Soup brought a burst of creative energy and joy to our seven-year-old son and to our entire family.

"Our son is recovering from a bone marrow transplant and leukaemia so can't mix or go to school. He's spent months in hospital and in bed.

"It was a huge boost to him, and wonderful for us to watch.”

Alongside a theatre show set to premiere at Tobacco Factory Theatres this May ahead of a UK-wide tour, an immersive AR experience and Minny Stynker picture book will be distributed to hospitals, hospices and healthcare settings across the South West.

Ms Cuthbert added: “It’s the first time we are incorporating digital media to this level in our work, and it’s had an extraordinary impact on both the live and digital experience.”

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