This Was the World and I was King

Dates & Tickets

A family friendly World War I story featuring the enchanting poetry of Robert Louis Stevenson’s poetry anthology "A Child’s Garden of Verses". Rediscover the unbridled imagination of childhood in this transporting story of courage, kindness, and bravery, with rousing live folk music and hand carved puppets.

With their father in peril on the Western Front, the Connor children turn to their imagination for a comforting distraction from reality. Their spell-binding make believe kingdom comes to life on-stage as they set sail on impossible adventures. It is a heartening tale of the bitter-sweet remembrance of childhood.

The play celebrates a generation of war-time children who had no option but to grow up quickly, and confront the demons beyond their world of innocence.

This was the World and I was King premiered at the 2013 Edinburgh Fringe Festival; it was shortlisted for multiple awards, won a commendation for design from the NSDF Awards, received an array of 5 and 4 star reviews and played to sell-out audiences for the duration of the festival. It took to the road for a UK tour in Autumn 2014, went to The Brockley Jack in February 2016 and The Arts Theatre West End in June 2016.

Written by Casey Jay Andrews & Nathan Foad

Composed by George Jennings

Produced by HookHitch Theatre

Puppetry Design by Casey Jay Andrews