COUNTING SHEEPS
A SLEEPY, SHEEPY SHOW FOR BABIES AND TODDLERS
(AND VERY TIRED GROWN UPS)
Two sheep think they know everything about sleep
They’re experts in the field
But tonight they’re wide awake
Snuggle up and join two sheep on a journey through the joys and frustrations of everything bedtime. A touching, musical adventure filled with sensory play, for 0-3 year olds and their (very tired) grown ups.
AGE - 0-3 YEARS AND THEIR GROWN UPS
DURATION - 30 MINUTE SHOW + STAY AND PLAY AFTERWARDS
2026 TOUR
FEBRUARY
23rd - Lowestoft - The Seagull
24th - Bury St Edmunds - Theatre Royal
25th - Colchester - Colchester Arts Centre
26th - Norwich - The Garage
27th - Diss - Cornhall
MARCH
2nd - Winchester - The Nutshell
3rd - Eastleigh - The Point
4th - Havant - Spring Arts and Heritage Centre
6th - Bordon - Phoenix Arts
7th - Reading - South Street Arts
10th - London - JW3
11th - Farnham - Farnham Maltings
12th - Epson - Horton Arts Centre
13th - Faversham - The Alex
14th - Shoreham by Sea - Ropetackle
17th - Chichester - Chichester Festival Theatre
18th - Milton Keynes - The Stables
19th - London - Arts Depot
21st - Luton - Stockwood Discovery Centre
22nd - London - Jacksons Lane
28th - Manchester - Z-Arts
29th - Manchester - Z-Arts
31st - Mansfield - Mansfield Central Library
APRIL
1st - Worksop - Worksop Library
2nd - Beeston - Beeston Library
7th - Bristol - Tobacco Factory
8th - Bristol - Tobacco Factory
A baby looks at a performer dressed as a sheep
A baby looks at a performer dressed as a sheep
CREATIVES
CONCEPT BY RUBY THOMPSON + SAM CASELEY
COMPOSER YSABELLE WOMBWELL
DIRECTOR RUBY THOMPSON
DRAMATURG SAM CASELEY
DESIGNER INDIA HARVEY
PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT SUPPORT DANIELLE HARRIS
DEVELOPED AND DEVISED WITH THE CAST
PHOTOGRAPHY HOLLIE MATEER
CHILDHOOD STUDIES ACADEMIC CONSULTANTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF HULL DR JO TRAUNTER + KERRIE LEE
COUNTING SHEEPS WAS DEVELOPED IN AN R+D WITH PERFORMERS EMMA BRIGHT + SOPHIE MERCELL, WITH DESIGNER HANNAH SIBAI
COUNTING SHEEPS TOURED IN 2024 AND 2025 WITH PERFORMERS EMMA BRIGHT, PARKEY ABEYRATNE, YSSI WOMBWELL, SAM CASELEY, JACK CHAMBERLAIN, STASHA DUKIC, FINLAY MCGUIGAN + SOPHIE THOMPSON
ACCESSIBILITY
COUNTING SHEEPS has limited verbal language. Every performance of COUNTING SHEEPS is relaxed - the audience area is mostly well lit, it's ok to come, go and make noise if you need to.
There will be moments of darkness for shadow puppetry. This transition will be gentle.
The show takes place in family hubs, schools, and various community spaces. The audience sit very close to the stage, on soft carpeted floor. Hard chairs with backs are available. We ask that audiences take off their shoes, if they can, before entering the show.
To protect the set, we ask that you don't eat or drink anything other than water or milk in a bottle in the space. Breastfeeding is very welcome throughout.
And the end of the show, the performers will leave the space and they'll be an opportunity to explore and play together for up to 50 minutes.
If you'd like to find out exactly what happens in the show and your more information about your visit, please read our What to Expect guide.
If you'd like a quick introduction to the show for yourself or your child, you can have a look at our overview page.
THE MAKING OF COUNTING SHEEPS
The show began with 10 weeks of baby play sessions in 2023, in partnership with Bransholme Chat, Back to Ours. We worked with 50 families over this time, to explore how babies react to different forms of performance. The R+D was supported by Childhood Studies academics, from The Univeristy of Hull.
In partnership with Hull Libraries and Back to Ours, The Herd toured Counting Sheeps to libraries, community centres and family hubs in Hull from August 2024 to January 2025.
Supported by
