YOU ARE HISTORY
OVERVIEW
Little Seeds Music and Polka Theatre are proposing a stage musical adaptation of You Are History written by public historian and broadcaster Greg Jenner best known for his hit BBC podcast You’re Dead To Me (over 70 million downloads and plays) and his tenure as historical consultant on CBBC’s Emmy & multiple BAFTA award-winning TV comedy series Horrible Histories.
The production will be for ages 7+ designed for midscale venues, blending live music and theatre to create an exciting, arresting and innovative new musical for children and families.
About The Book (and the author!)
Your Are History
In this hilarious, non-fiction book from writer-historian Greg Jenner, history is made both fun and relevant. History isn’t only found in fancy museums, nor does it have to be about ancient royalty, historical figures, or inventors. History is also about you and me, and the very things we see and use every day!
Each double page deals with a different everyday object and is loosely structured in order of when they might be encountered in a normal day. Beginning with the alarm clock, continuing into the daytime, and ending with bed, we learn of the fascinating stories behind all manner of mundane things – including soap, cereal, the light bulb, ball games, telephone, sofa, pyjamas and many more. There are fifty objects in total and each one is explored through a combination of jaw-dropping facts, eye-watering jokes, and exciting real-life stories from across the world and centuries.
Some children can find history off-putting because it seems too serious, too boring or too removed from their everyday reality. For the history-avoidant, this book does a brilliant job of making history less serious, less boring, and very applicable to everyday life. The vibrant and expressive illustrations really add to the humour and the text is clear, enthusiastic, and conversational. We absolutely love how this book puts young readers at the heart of history as a way of keeping them engaged and entertained.
About Greg Jenner
Greg Jenner is a British public historian with a particular interest in communicating history through pop culture. He is the host and creator of the chart-topping comedy BBC podcast You’re Dead To Me (over 82 million downloads and plays), as well as the presenter of BBC Radio 4’s Past Forward: A Century of Sound, the BBC’s award-nominated children’s podcast Homeschool History, and the Audible series A Somewhat Complete History of Sitting Down.
He was the Historical Consultant to nine series of CBBC’s Emmy & multiple BAFTA award-winning TV comedy series Horrible Histories, being solely responsible for the factual accuracy of over 2,000 sketches and 150+ comedy songs. He also was a key member of the team on the BAFTA-nominated film Horrible Histories: The Movie – Rotten Romans. He is also the consultant to Corpse Talk, a new YouTube Kids animated series based on Adam and Lisa Murphy’s comic book series – the series got over 1 million views in its first week and was nominated for Best Children’s Show at the Royal Television Society Awards 2023.
Our Approach
“Like an amazing concept album, unfolding on stage before your very eyes…”
As with all our productions, live music would be central to this show. Part gig, part theatre, it will be packed full of catchy songs, audience engagement and fascinating facts about the everyday objects children encounter on a daily basis.
Rather than developing a traditional narrative ark based around the writing and facts in Greg’s book, we would look to develop a theatrical frame work in which to perform a collection of songs from a range of musical genres and styles inspired by the book. We want this show to feel like an amazing concept album, unfolding on stage before your very eyes.
Creative Team
David Gibb - composer
David Gibb is a theatre maker, composer, writer and musical director. As a performer and recording artist for families, he has gained a loyal fanbase of thousands of children and parents alike from across the UK. As a composer and songwriter his theatrical credits include Climb That Tree (Little Seeds Music), Three Bears, Jingle’s Magic Sleigh, WISH, Suddenly A Star (The Story Museum), Rolling Down The Road (Half Moon Theatre), and Luna Loves Library The Musical (Z-arts) and Hansel & Gretel (Nottingham Playhouse). His work has been seen at countless venues across the UK including Sage Gateshead, The Lyric Hammersmith, The Marlowe, Warwick Arts Centre, HOME, artsdepot, and Nottingham Theatre Royal.
David has been commissioned to write songs and run project by organisations including Andersen Press, Birmingham Hippodrome, Egmont, Sinfonia Viva, Junction Arts, the English Folk Dance and Song Society, the Eden Project and countless museums, libraries, and schools.
Most recently David has begun to write books for children, the first of which, Too Many Bubbles, was published by Simon & Schuster in 2020. His next book, Two Wheels, will be published by Walker Book in 2023.
Greg Jenner - lyricist and historical adviser
Greg Jenner is a British public historian with a particular interest in communicating history through pop culture. He is the host and creator of the chart-topping comedy BBC podcast You’re Dead To Me (over 82 million downloads and plays), as well as the presenter of BBC Radio 4’s Past Forward: A Century of Sound, the BBC’s award-nominated children’s podcast Homeschool History, and the Audible series A Somewhat Complete History of Sitting Down.
He was the Historical Consultant to nine series of CBBC’s Emmy & multiple BAFTA award-winning TV comedy series Horrible Histories, being solely responsible for the factual accuracy of over 2,000 sketches and 150+ comedy songs. He also was a key member of the team on the BAFTA-nominated film Horrible Histories: The Movie – Rotten Romans. He is also the consultant to Corpse Talk, a new YouTube Kids animated series based on Adam and Lisa Murphy’s comic book series – the series got over 1 million views in its first week and was nominated for Best Children’s Show at the Royal Television Society Awards 2023.
Dermot Daly - director
Dermot Daly is a director performer who has performed for radio, television, film and theatre. He has won awards for his radio work (BBC Norman Beaton Fellowship) and worked on an Olivier nominated theatre season. As a creative he has written, directed and/or produced short narrative films, promo spots and music videos; directed and acted as dramaturg on theatre plays for the young and old; produced and directed for radio/audio; lectured and directed at drama schools and universities; taught drama and English in various settings and run youth theatres. Some of his photography has been used by the press. As a filmmaker he has won official selection status from over 100 international film festivals and been nominated or won several awards. A lot of his film work is produced through ‘chocolate bear’ which is an ongoing collaboration with his filmmaking partner Ivan Mack.
Most recently he directed Winner of the Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting 2022, Nathan Queeley-Dennis’ debut play ‘Bull Ring Techno Makeout Jamz’ for Paines Plough at the Edinburgh Fringe, to unanimous critical acclaim.
He is co-chair of One Tenth Human and a proud trustee of Wrongsemble and Mikron Theatre Company.
About Little Seeds Music
Little Seeds Music specialise in inspiring young people and families through music and theatre.
Little Seeds Music was established in 2015 with the mission to provide children and families with unforgettable, high quality musical experiences for all generations to enjoy and share together. Their work is supported and recognised by Arts Council England and they have created work in association with Half Moon Theatre, Z-arts, The Story Museum, and The Met, Bury.
As well as producing theatrical touring work, they also coordinate engagement projects across the country with a focus on providing opportunities for young people to develop songwriting and composition skills. Their 2020 digital production ‘Rolling Down The Road’ was named by the Guardian as one of the best pieces of theatre to stream that year, and their work has toured extensively across the UK to venues including Sage Gateshead, the South Bank Centre, Norwich Playhouse, the Lyric Hammersmith, HOME, Warwick Arts Centre, Nottingham Theatre Royal, Half Moon Theatre, and The Marlowe.