Finn and the Salmon of knowledge

In 2008 the Acorn Music Theatre Company impressed the judges at the Kenton Drama Festival with their latest original production “Finn and the Salmon of Knowledge”. Amongst other things the Company were highly praised for their ensemble acting, the exciting physicality of their performance, evocative lighting, costume and original music and were justly rewarded with the Jean Sutherland Award.

Since 1992 the Acorn Music Theatre Company has enchanted audiences, young and old alike, with its creative and innovative music theatre productions based on myths and legends of the world including The Odyssey, The Arabian Knights and, last year, Tyger Tyger – based on Bengali tales - which received much critical acclaim.

The young people of Acorn have performed in many weird and wonderful places including Zippo’s Circus at the Edinburgh Festival, the Grahamstown Festival in South Africa, the Henley Festival of Music and Art, and also in various barns and fields of Oxfordshire, as well as the conventional stage of the Kenton – Britain’s fourth oldest working theatre.

Finn is a collection of stories based on Irish Celtic heroes and uses live music and acrobatic physical theatre to bring these ancient myths and legends to life. The stories are filled with feats of heroism, passion, humour, giants, fairies, women warriors and magic swans!

With the kind permission of Alan and Carol Pontin, “Finn” was performed in the glorious riverside garden of Peel Fold on Saturday and Sunday 28th & 29th June 2008. The house was once the home of actress Beatrice Lillie and Acorn were thrilled to be performing in a venue steeped in thespian lore and history.

The Acorn Music Theatre Company made a donation of £400 from the overall proceeds of their event, to the Thames Valley Adventure Playground. This wonderful charity provides a haven for young people with special needs where they can play and find stimulation, fun and friendship. In common with the Acorn Music Theatre Trust TVAP believes everyone has the right to the freedom they need to develop and realise their true potential.