The Giant’s Blankets: Storytelling at St Helens StoryFest

| Claire

This February half term I’m performing The Giant’s Blankets at the St Helens StoryFest. The work has previously been shared at Barnsley Libraries, The Turnpike Gallery and in schools and this time comes to Eccleston Library in St Helens on 20th February 2025.

Claire, w white woman with short brown hair is dressed in a brown jumpsuit, with blue blankets over her shoulders and leg. One blanket flies into the air as she spreads her arms wide.

The Giant’s Blankets is a 25 minute storytelling performance for families with children aged 4-8yrs, brought to life using a collection of blue blankets which transform into crashing clouds and twisting tornadoes. The giant uses her blankets to make a hammock that rescues a cyclist, a tent to protect an engineer and a sling for a baby; and the blankets make a space for a wonderful community picnic when everyone returns to thank the helpful giant who has made some new friends.

I’m really grateful for the support I’ve had with this work, from Wonder Arts who have created opportunities to share it in its development stages, from Kevin Dyer from St Helens Arts in Libraries and Theatre Porto who has supported both the writing and dramaturgy of the piece, and from the funding received in the development stages in 2023.

I invited Angela Wilkinson, a fellow member of Platform Studios to come and photograph a recent rehearsal and some of those photographs are below.

Claire peers out from under many blue blankets that cover her entire body.
Claire cradles a white blanket as though it is a small baby. She has blue blankets over her shoulders and around her neck.
Claire, covered in blue blankets, twirls a blanket around in front of her until it looks like a whirlwind
Claire holds a blanket low over the ground in front of her, whilst covered in blankets and sat on a blue vintage chest.
Claire, covered in blue blankets holds both hands up to the audience, fingers all spread out.
Claire peers out from under many blue blankets that cover her entire body.

The Eccleston Library performance of the work is currently sold out, but if you’re interested in The Giant’s Blankets coming to your venue, school or library, please get in touch.

Kevin Dyer and Claire Weetman in rehearsal.

Photography: Angela Wilkinson
Dramaturgy and mentoring: Kevin Dyer
Development funding: St Helens Borough of Culture 2023 open grants
Development workshops with thanks to the participation of: Buzz Hub, Thatto Heath Primary Schools, St Thomas of Canterbury Primary School.

Poster for St Helens StoryFest, 15th - 22nd February 2025 showing images from the planned performances, prices and a link to a BSL version of the information.