Told through street-theatre style fun and magic, puppetry, an enigmatic soundscape and slapstick humour, Nana and Pop – When the Magic has to Stop - is a forty minute, non-verbal, outdoor show for family audiences. It explores the challenges brought on by ageing whilst the internal spirit still burns youthfully bright!

Will there be time for one more show?

When Nana and Pop, ageing street performers, receive an invitation to perform at a Royal Garden Party, their uncertain future takes a positive turn as their once dried up bookings begin to flow again. But as they rehearse, failing memory, failing bodies, dark events from the past and a clashing hospital appointment conspire to put the Royal Command Performance in serious doubt. Can Nana and Pop find a way to adapt so that the show can still go on, or must they resign themselves to the inevitable and allow the magic stop?

Pop picks up three juggling balls...

He feels them in his hands and is at once content and at one with the world.  He looks at his right hand – it is stiff. He opens it and closes it. Pop tuts and sighs with disappointment at the betrayal of old age. He juggles. For a few moments all is well until his right hand seizes and he drops a ball. He opens and closes his right hand.

Soundscape: rusty hinge sounds

They lessen the more he opens and closes his hand. When the sounds have faded, he continues to juggle. But his hand seizes again and he drops the ball. He shakes his head in dismay and bends to pick up the ball only to find he can’t stand up again! His back has locked. He tries to stand up straight, but no matter how hard he tries he just can’t manage it. He gives up in disgust.

POP:  Nana.

He waits – nothing.

POP:  Nana?

He waits – still nothing…

POP:  NANA!!!!!