Step inside a magical miniature world where a school bus transforms into a museum before your eyes, and every corner hides a playful surprise!
Iris’ teacher, Miss Holland, warns her: “Lions aren’t allowed at school!” — but Iris is determined that her misunderstood friend won’t be left behind.
At the museum, Iris tries everything to hide her golden-furred friend — from a plane to a dinosaur skeleton and even a suit of armour! But the lion can’t resist helping others, and soon he’s discovered.
The show uses miniatures in the storytelling and is designed for intimate spaces, bringing audiences close to the action. The set features handmade textile art, including felt recreations of children’s own drawings, turning familiar artwork into magical stage elements. With clever hiding spots, playful interactions, and whimsical details, this storytelling theatre invites young audiences to laugh, imagine, and join the adventure!
Duration: 45 minutes
Ages: 2–9 years
Themes: Friendship, creativity, problem-solving, empathy, and the fun of imaginative play
Tone: Playful, heartwarming, and whimsical — with gentle humour, clever storytelling, and moments of surprise
Interactivity: The audience is invited to partake in the storytelling through creative play, movement, and call-and-response. Surprises like the transforming school bus invite everyone to go on a ride together, sharing a familiar experience and re-creating it. Hide-and-seek runs throughout the show as a recurring playful theme with the audience.
Sensory Notes: Storytelling with miniatures creates a playful, toy-like experience that is gentle, engaging, and easy for young children to connect with.
Visual Experience: A tactile, colourful world inspired by Helen Stephens’ "How to Hide a Lion at School". The set features handmade textile art, including felt creations duplicated from drawings submitted by children over the years, and transforms from Iris’ school to the museum, creating a magical, immersive stage world.
Languages: English and Hebrew
Credits:
Written and Created by: Savannah Zwi
Based on the book: How to Hide a Lion at School by Helen Stephens
Music: Phil Marks and Savannah Zwi
Set, Prop, and Costume Design: Savannah Zwi
Interpreting Children’s Art and Play Through Theatrical Storytelling:
The classroom backdrop is made from textile art duplications and interpretations of children’s drawings submitted over the years, creating a colourful, tactile introduction to the world of the show.
When the school bus arrives at the excursion destination, it magically transforms into a fully realized miniature museum backdrop, bringing the museum portion of the performance to life through storytelling with exquisite tiny puppets, evoking the playful imagination of children at play with their toys.
