In February 2026, Quentin Blake’s Mrs Armitage on Wheels makes its world premiere as a stage production, bringing the eccentric inventor, her endlessly loyal dog Breakspear, and a gloriously over-engineered bicycle to life in a brand-new musical adaptation.
Adapted and directed by Samantha Lane, Artistic Director of the award-winning Little Angel Theatre, this production transforms Blake’s unmistakable world into a theatrical experience bursting with puppetry, original live music and hands-on imagination.
Based on the BBC animated series Quentin Blake’s Box of Treasures, it’s a celebration of invention, curiosity and the wonderfully human urge to keep tinkering, even when things are already working just fine.
When she sets off on what should be a simple bike ride to visit her cousin Angela, her mind starts racing faster than her wheels. A horn here. A snack tray there. An umbrella, a sail, a dog bed. Why stop when it could be better?
What follows is a gently chaotic journey powered by creativity, humour and the belief that making things, even unnecessary things, is a joy in itself. Alongside Breakspear, Mrs Armitage invites audiences into a world where imagination is practical, community matters, and curiosity is always worth following.
True to Quentin Blake’s spirit, this adaptation is deeply tactile. Clever puppetry, designed and directed by Maia Kirkman-Richards, brings characters and inventions to life with warmth and wit, while Jessie Maryon Davies’ original music and lyrics add rhythm, charm and emotional depth. The visual world is shaped by Ryan Dawson Laight’s set and costume design, with sound by Ian Oakley, creating a space that feels playful, inventive and alive.
For Samantha Lane, the story’s heart lies in its humanity:
“Mrs Armitage’s world is wonderfully eccentric yet deeply human. This production celebrates generosity, resilience and the sheer love of making marvellous things.”
It’s theatre that trusts children’s intelligence, welcomes parents into the fun, and reminds everyone that creativity doesn’t need permission.
It champions hands-on imagination, problem-solving through play, and the joy of shared experiences, values that feel more relevant than ever.
Developed in association with Eagle Eye and Little Angel Theatre, and rooted in one of Britain’s most treasured creative voices, this production feels both nostalgic and completely new.
For families, it’s a first theatre experience that doesn’t talk down. For parents, it’s a reminder of why Quentin Blake’s work endures. And for children, it’s proof that the best adventures often begin with a very silly idea.
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