Teatro-Saurus is an Oxford-based company that produces and tours high quality masked theatre and workshops for children.

Following our debut production of Volpone in 2005 , we have produced new writing and company devised pieces, across the UK, at various venues and theatre and comedy festivals.

The core members of the company are:

William Tombs: Mask-maker and Artistic Director. Currently playing Chester Pocklington, The Piggy-Bank, and Tom Redfern in OOK! And the Terrible Thing that Happened. He also plays the Ukulele, and is the writer and performer of two previous one-man show. One of which, What the Lobster Shouted as it Boiled,was described in a review in My Cultural Life as: an  “amazing one-man show.” and “a theatrical coup.”

Rachel Alexander: Studied European Theatre Arts at Rose Bruford College of Speech and Drama and has worked extensively in the UK and in Europe. Notable credits include Luhdahl & Seitl’s Symphony of a Missing Room (winner of the Stockholm Prize 2009), Caravan of Desires with Spiral Flight, and Labyrinthine with Pant’s on Fire. in OOK! And the Terrible Thing that Happened she plays Esther Pocklington, The Man-on-Television, The Foreignor, Greasypants, and The Goddess Gliggogglulump.

Rose Warman: Though Rose has written three previous Teatro-Saurus plays, including Some Work of Noble Note, she is currently taking a more managerial and administrative role in the company. She makes sure that things happen.

An original play for children by William Tombs

Next showing:

Ashley Wood Festival of the Acoustic Arts, Tisbury, Wiltshire, Sunday 1st July 2012 (visit: http://www.ashleywoodfestival.co.uk/ for more information).

Nova Festival, Bignor Park, Pulborough, West Sussex, 7th & 8th July 2012 (visit: http://www.novafestival.co.uk/theatre__comedy for more information).

Just So Festival, Rode Hall Parkland, Cheshire, 18th &19th August 2012 (visit: http://www.justsofestival.org.uk/ for more information).

It’s up to Chester, Esther and OOK to save the world from being gobbled up by the All-Devouring Piggy Bank of Doom. An ancient curse! A lost city! A lake of crocodiles! OOK!

When Chester Pocklington sees an advertisement for OOK (‘the best ever thing in the world ever’) he feels compelled to buy it. But this rash purchase has terrible consequences: an ancient curse is invoked…

With a cast of two playing four times as many characters, and a story that follows it’s pensioner heroes from a quiet evening in front of the television to the brink of global destruction, this is mask-theatre at it’s most lively and dynamic; the theatrical equivalent of cartoon. Ages 5 to 500 will enjoy this spectacular tale of comic-horror and high adventure!

version 1.0 of OOK! And the Terrible Thing that Happened premiered in July 2010 at The Pauper’s Pit, Buxton, as part of the Buxton Festival Fringe. A review can be seen here: http://www.buxtonfringe.org.uk/reviews2010for.html#77

Since then it has been performed at the New Diorama Theatre, Euston; the Blue Elephant Theatre, Camberwell; and the Tricycle Theatre, Kilburn.

After a period of re-development OOK is back and more OOK than ever! We hope to be announcing more dates soon…

Our style of mask-theatre, mostly in half-mask, is derived, in part, from Commedia Dell’Arte, but probably owes more to The Simpsons. In gesture, physicality and expression, we seek the same clarity as that of the masks themselves. Not, however, to exhibit bland virtuosity; above all our aim is to connect with the audience, to entertain them and to serve our story.

We are experienced in providing mask workshops and can tailor them to the needs and ability of any group.

Contact us for more information on purchasing masks or on arranging a workshop with us on mask-work or mask-making.