The Magic Paintbrush

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Thanks to funding from Word Fest 2023 led by Wakefield Libraries, Artists Tony Wade, Bev Adams and Charlie Wells worked to research and develop The Magic Paintbrush, a new telling of the famous Chinese Folktale for performance in libraries across the Wakefield District during WordFest 2023.

Inspired by versions of the story such as the Julia Donaldson and Nancy Garfield Woodbridge, This retelling of the classic tale uses shadow puppetry and shadow reveals, alongside live physical theatre style action and interactive storytelling and the use of a live dragon puppet. Designed to work specifically in libraries, or other community or school based settings, it is magical storytelling adventure for children from aged 2 to 10 years.

Alongside Bev Adams and Charlie Wells, artists Matt Rogers and Tracy Lau brought this tale to life in the May 2023 tour of the Wakefield District.