Hull-based theatre company The Herd, which is led by co-Artistic Directors Ruby Thompson and Sam Caseley, is currently touring the South East of England with ‘Counting Sheeps’: their award-winning theatre show for babies, toddlers and their “very tired” grown-ups. Intrigued by the concept of baby theatre and how it differs from theatre-making for pre-school age, I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Producer Ruby to find out why the company moved into this demographic and also learn what goes into creating an inclusive theatrical environment for very young children. First theatre experiences are so important and the work that the company does allows this to happen very early in a child’s life. Originally starting out as a performer, Ruby has now moved into directing and producing, and believes that she and Sam have finally found their niche in the baby theatre-making space.
Creating Counting Sheeps
‘Counting Sheeps’ is the first show The Herd has made for babies and it centres on two sheep that are preparing for bed. Drawing on her own experiences of this genre from a parent’s perspective, Ruby wanted to create something that is appropriate for babies and toddlers, but also acknowledges the parents. The creative notes “how capable babies are” and believes that “the arts have such a vital place in early childhood”. Whilst making theatre for this young age “might seem a bit novel and strange… actually it makes complete sense” and through their theatre making, they have learnt that the inquisitiveness of theatre “has a really special place in child development”.
In ‘Counting Sheeps’ they have collaborated with visual and play artist India Harvey to create a performance space that doesn’t have a “separation between stage and auditorium”. Ruby explains that “little bodies… they just want to be close to the action” and care and attention has been given to creating an environment where “you want to touch everything”. There is even a sky backdrop made out of duvets, really encompassing the sleep theme. The format of the show is 30-minutes of performance, followed by another half an hour of “stay and play” interaction, where audiences can “gently come out of the world of the show”. Considering the demographic and attention spans, “every 6 or 7 minutes they change the form of the show” and “working through the lens of a sheep” allows them to “connect to their inner child and clown” when in character.
Challenges with creating theatre for babies
Ruby acknowledges that “it’s really hard having a baby and getting out of the house on certain days” and as a theatre company they hope that “everyone’s able to come” on the day of a performance and think that parents and babies just being there is “incredible”. Some of The Herd’s team had babies a few years prior to creating the show and reflecting on personal experience, Ruby believes that having a newborn is a “very disorientating time of life”. Working with families to create their work has allowed them to investigate “how do we allow families to feel comfortable in the space”.
Touring the show around the South East
When asked what she was looking forward to with the tour, Ruby explains that connecting with families all across the UK is a “real joy” and having largely worked in community spaces, they are excited to be visiting theatre spaces. In the past they have also had “three or four” firsts with little ones coming to the show, from crawling to first steps, and they look forward to the potential of this again. The Herd are supported by House (Southeast Theatre Network) for the tour and this partnership “takes a logistical pressure off” and “makes it possible to come to these places”.
What’s next for The Herd
The company will be continuing their weekly baby and play sessions in Hull, but they are also hoping to be back on the road in 2027 and 2028 with a new show for under-one-year-olds. It is a “very autobiographical piece” that will hopefully be “really enjoyable and relatable” and “connecting for people who can be quite isolated when having a baby”.
The thing that stuck with me most from our conversation was when Ruby said “we want to just make really joyous, really silly, funny experiences”; clearly enjoyment is at the centre of everything The Herd does. You can catch this ‘sleepy sheepy’ show on tour until April 2026, with performance information available via the company’s website. There are also 3 performances at the Faversham Assembly Rooms in Kent on 13th March. It was a pleasure to chat to Ruby about ‘Counting Sheeps’ and The Herd’s theatre making.
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