Sydney Opera House

Shona Reppe studied Theatre Studies and History of Art at Glasgow University (1988) before completing  a post grad diploma in Stage Design at the Welsh College of Drama in Cardiff (1992). Shona Reppe Puppets was established in 1996 and has been dedicated to creating highly visual theatre for children ever since. Early shows include The Frog Prince, The Elves and the Shoemaker, Cat Circus and Merenga Pye all of which toured throughout Scotland in both schools and theatres.

In 1998 Shona embarked on a world trip with The Little Red Hen – a puppet show in two shopping bags – performing in Australia, New Zealand, USA and Zimbabwe in libraries, schools, theatres, living rooms and beaches (paid in dollars, beer or board). In 2000 Tom Thumb toured throughout Scotland before performing to sell-out audiences at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Cinderella premiered at the Imaginate Scottish International Children’s Festival in 2002 to excellent reviews followed by a successful run at The Netherbow Theatre at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Since then Cinderella has toured extensively throughout the UK and Ireland as well as Japan, Belgium, Canada and the United States.
 
Olga Volt The Electric Fairy was created with Charlot Lemoine of Velo Theatre, France and performed in France and Belgium in 2007 and 2008. It was part of Imaginates International Festival and Baboro Festival 2008.

Awards: In 2002 Cinderella received a Total Theatre Award for physical and visual theatre during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and in February 2003 Cinderella won the Victor Award for best showcase in children’s theatre in Montreal. Spend a Penny won best Children’s Show of 2004 award at the Tron Theatre Awards 2004.

Collaborative work:

Shona Reppe Puppets has enlisted the talents of Gill Robertson of Catherine Wheels (Co-director on Cinderella, Spend a Penny and Ugly Duckling), Ian Cameron (Co-creator for Cinderella, Spend a Penny and Ugly Duckling), Dave Trouton (musical score for Spend a Penny) and Robert Berlin (musical score for Ugly Duckling) and Marcus Britton (Olga Volt). Her next creation for 2 – 4 yr olds is Potato needs a Bath co-directed by Andy Manley (My House) and will tour Scotland throughout Scotland in Autumn 2009.

In addition to her solo work Shona Reppe has collaborated with Visible Fictions (Song from the Sea), Awarehaus (The Maidenstone), Catherine Wheels (Red, Holly and Ivy), Tabula Rasa (The Bird Catcher), Wee Stories (Peter Pan/Treasure Island) and Puppet Lab (Little Circus) as designer and performer/puppeteer. She has also built puppets for Polka Childrens Theatre (The Selfish Giant and The Snow Baby).