Award-winning puppetry and visual theatre company Smoking Apples Theatre is set to premiere its latest production, Three, touring select UK venues from 12 July to 7 November 2025.
For the first time, the company will incorporate masks into their signature blend of puppetry and storytelling, exploring the intergenerational relationships of three neighbours brought together in the heart of every home—the kitchen.
Audiences will meet Ida, an adventure-seeker turned grandmother; Jaanvi, the matriarch of an Indian family; and Ralph, an ex-military man content in his solitude. As they share stories and learn how to make the perfect cup of tea, Three reveals the deep emotional bonds between grandparents and grandchildren.
Co-Director and Script Writer Molly Freeman said:
“Three has been in development since 2023 and during this time, we’ve seen our own family structures change and grow; Grandparents have been lost, and some of our own parents have become grandparents. We’re so excited to be making a new piece about these family dynamics, the beautiful moments but also the heartbreaking ones too. The puppetry is stunning, heartfelt and tender in moments but also raw and real in others. Mask is a new venture for us but there has been something so wonderful about seeing how we can bring youth to an aged face and vice versa. It’s a real visual treat. Fundamentally, Three is a celebration of life, in all its forms; old and young, happy and sad, the big moments and the small ones.”
The production features a carousel-like set that fluidly transitions between the three kitchens, enhancing the visual storytelling. The use of masks adds a powerful new dimension to the company’s exploration of ageing and memory.
Three is designed to be accessible for neurodivergent audiences, with features including stims, a chill-out area, and flexible audience movement during performances.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
