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ONLINE PROGRAM
KENSUKE'S KINGDOM

by MICHAEL MORPURGO
adapted by STUART PATERSON

Kensuke's Kingdom is presented through a special arrangement with Berlin Associates. All authorized performance materials are supplied by www.berlinassociates.com. By permission of Alan Brodie Representation Ltd; www.alanbrodie.com

SBT Production photography by Tim Nguyen.

The videotaping or making of electronic or other audio and/or visual recordings of this production or distributing recordings on any medium, including the Internet, is strictly prohibited, a violation of the author’s rights and actionable under copyright law.

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Feb 7th to Mar 8, 2025

Thursdays to Saturdays 7pm
Saturdays & Sundays 2pm

rated G | 6+
running time:
Two-act musical, approx. 120
min with a 15 min. intermission

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SHOW SUMMARY

The story of a young boy’s fantastic adventure after being washed up on a Pacific island – adapted for the stage by acclaimed dramatist Stuart Paterson from the best-selling novel by Children’s Laureate Michael Morpurgo.
Michael embarks on a round-the-world sailing voyage with his parents, only for their dream to become a nightmare when Michael falls overboard. Washed up on an island in the Pacific populated with orang-utans, Michael soon makes a startling discovery: the island is already home to one extraordinary man, and this is Kensuke’s Kingdom.

RATING: G | 6+
Read more about show ratings and recommendations >

Video courtesy of The Music Man on Broadway, 2022, starring Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster, directed by Jerry Zaks.

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Show Summary

CREATORS

ABOUT THE CREATORS

MICHAEL MORPURGO

Micheal Morpurgo is an English book author, poet, playwright, and librettist who is known best for children's novels such as War Horse (1982). His work is noted for its "magical storytelling", for recurring themes such as the triumph of an outsider or survival, for characters' relationships with nature, and for vivid settings such as the Cornish coast or the trenches of the First World War. Morpurgo was the third Children's Laureate, from 2003 to 2005, and is President of BookTrust, a children's reading charity. Morpurgo's writing career was inspired by Ted Hughes' Poetry in the Making, Paul Gallico's The Snow Goose and Ernest Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea.Hughes and another poet, Seán Rafferty, were influential in his career, with Hughes becoming a friend, mentor and neighbour.

STUART PATERSON

Stuart Paterson has written King Of The Fields for the Traverse Theatre, and new versions of Chekhov’s The Cherry Orcherd; Uncle Vanya; The Seagull and Three Sisters. For The Scottish Youth Theatre he has written In Traction (later televised by BBC) and adapted Zola’s Germinal. He has also adapted Zola’s THÉRÈSE AQUIN for Communicado Theatre Company, which was later staged at Newcastle Playhouse who also staged his adaptation of William Trevor’s The Ballroom Of Romance. His work for Tag Theatre Company includes an adaptation of Beowulf and James Hogg’s The Private Memoirs and Confessions Of A Justified Sinner. He has recently completed a version of Strindberg’s comedy Comrades and new plays Moon Sreet and Cars And Boys, as well as adaptations of Chekhov’s stories The Black Mook and The Letter.

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DIRECTOR'S NOTES

FROM THE DIRECTOR

At its core, Kensuke’s Kingdom is a story about relationships—fragile, complex, and deeply transformative. It’s about stepping beyond what is comfortable and familiar, venturing into the unknown, and discovering that connection often grows in the most unexpected places. This play challenges us to embrace what is unfamiliar and, at times, uncomfortable, reminding us that growth happens when we open ourselves to understanding and trust.

Directing this production has been a personal journey for me. As an immigrant, I understand what it feels like to be in unfamiliar territory, searching for a sense of belonging. Theatre has always been that safe and welcoming space for me—a place where stories bring us together and differences become strengths. I wanted this production to reflect that same sense of home, where trust and empathy can bridge any divide.

This show would not have been possible without the support and dedication of so many remarkable people. A heartfelt thank you to Storybook Theatre’s Artistic Director, JP Thibodeau, for fostering a creative space where stories like this can thrive. To the incredible creative team whose passion and artistry have brought this world to life, and to our tireless stage management team for keeping everything grounded and focused.

And to our wonderfully teachable and talented cast—thank you for embracing this journey with open hearts and fearless curiosity.

It has been a privilege to explore this story with such an inspiring group of artists. I hope this performance encourages you to reflect on the relationships in your own life and the courage it takes to embrace the unknown.

Thank you for being here. Enjoy the show!

Sincerely,
Steven Conde

Director

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Statistics

Production Inclusion Statics

53.13% FEMALE/NON-BINARY
REPRESENTATION

62.50% MARGINALIZED REPRESENTATION

12.50% BIPOC
REPRESENTATION

21.88% LGBTQIA2S+
REPRESENTATION

53.85% ON STAGE
52.63% OFFSTAGE

61.54% ON STAGE
63.16% OFFSTAGE

15.38% ON STAGE

10.53% OFFSTAGE

23.08% ON STAGE
21.05% OFFSTAGE

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AP'S NOTES

FROM THE
ARTISTIC PRODUCER

Dear Friends of StoryBook Theatre,

Welcome to our 48th Season – the "Season to Belong." This theme of belonging is at the heart of everything we do this year, and no show exemplifies this more than Kensuke's Kingdom. It’s a tale of survival, adventure, and, most importantly, human connection. The story explores how, even in the most isolated and challenging circumstances, we find ways to belong—to the world, to one another, and to ourselves.

I am deeply honoured to have the incredibly talented Steven Conde directing this production. Steven’s ability to create deeply emotional and visually stunning storytelling is unmatched, and his vision for Kensuke's Kingdom brings a fresh, poignant approach to this already powerful narrative. His work will captivate audiences of all ages, drawing them into the world of Michael and Kensuke as they discover what it truly means to belong.

At StoryBook, we believe in the power of theatre to reflect the diversity of our community. That’s why we are proud to prioritize representation and inclusivity on our stage. Each production we present is an opportunity to showcase stories and talents from all walks of life, and Kensuke's Kingdom is no exception. Through this story, we celebrate the strength of human connection and the beauty of finding where we fit in a world that sometimes feels overwhelming.

We also take pride in our commitment to giving back. As part of our tradition, we donate one full performance from each production—200 seats—to families in need, making theatre accessible to all. This initiative reflects our core mission to ensure everyone, regardless of background, can experience the magic of live performance.

I encourage you to join us in supporting this incredible season. Your generosity allows us to continue creating shows that entertain, inspire, and foster a sense of belonging for all. Your participation is invaluable whether you can contribute as a donor or simply enjoy a performance.

Thank you for being part of the StoryBook family. We can’t wait to share Kensuke’s Kingdom and the rest of our season with you.

Sincerely,

JP Thibodeau

Artistic Producer