Gentle Giant
February 2008

Composed by Stephen Mcneff, and originally staged in 2006, this opera for young audiences was a reworking of the beauty and the beast fable. Toby was brought in for the show's revival to oversee the integration of new puppetry elements, particularly the nine foot tall title character.

Acting as a consultant to the Royal Opera House's props department in the construction of the giant, Toby suggested suitable joints and materials for the large scale puppet's structure. He then assisted the revival's director Harry Fehr in rehearsals, determining what blocking and gestures would compliment the giant's presence and interaction on stage.

Production photoraphy by
Catherine Ashmore