BUILDING on the huge popularity of last summer’s The Sea Show, Craig Johnson – aka Squashbox Theatre – returns with a new family puppet show for the summer half term, touring to four Dorset village halls through Artsreach.

Skillywidden is a celebration of the wildlife and countryside of Cornwall, using Squashbox Theatre’s distinctive mix of puppets, songs, storytelling and cabaret with an environmental message. More crazy characters, more silly slapstick, more tall tales and more fantastic facts.

Legend has it there are five faery ‘races’ in Cornwall: the Small Folk, the Piskies, the Knockers, the Brownies and – most mischievous of all – the Spriggans.

Join our hero on a journey through the Cornish landscape as he searches for these elusive creatures in ancient stone circles, old mine workings, fields, farmland, hedgerows and moors.

Meet Skillywidden, the mischievous Pisky, and all of his faery friends. Watch the dance of the ‘beautiful’ Faery Queen and marvel at the incredible Book Of Nature as it literally comes alive before your eyes. Hear tales of Tom Trevorrow, Betty Stoggs, Coleman Gray and other strange characters from Cornish folklore; learn about bees, bats, birds and badgers, and discover the secrets of the Cornish countryside.

Craig Johnson is a brilliantly entertaining, captivating performer, and a long-standing member of Kneehigh Theatre and Skillywidden will delight audiences of all ages over 5.

Catch the show on June 3 at village halls in Buckland Newton (10:30am, call 01300 345543) and Burton Bradstock (4:30pm, 01308 897214) and on June 4 at halls in Ashmore (10:30am, 01747 811364) and Kimmeridge (4pm, 01929 480525).