Feels Like Home

Puppets and performance Design

In association with Little Angel Theatre

Designed and Created by Alex Milledge

Devised by Alex Milledge, Catherine Phillips and Jodie Irvine

Music and Composition by Taylor Rettke

Technical Support by Brad Tutt

All images and videos are my own

On a chilly autumn day, Hattie is looking for the perfect den to sleep in through the winter, but nothing seems to keep her warm. When she meets Squirrel they set out to find the cosiest and sturdiest things in the garden. With a bit of teamwork, and a nut or two, Hattie and Squirrel build a house that feels like home. But will they stay undisturbed all winter?

Feels Like Home is a heart-warming story of friendship and teamwork brought to life through puppetry. Celebrating the beauty of the autumn, this cosy story will get you wondering who (or what) is out there amongst the leaves?

This film was released at 12am on Sunday 24th October 2021. Recommended for ages 5-7

Catherine Phillips puppeteering Hedgehog

Fabric offcuts and scraps were used to create Hedgehog and Squirrels’ textured fur look, and broom bristles and recycled leather were used to add whiskers and ears. Hedgehogs’ spines were made using dyed and painted cocktail sticks glued into the plasterzote body sections connected with bungee elastic.

The segmented bodies for both puppets gave them flexible movement and allowed Hedgehog to curl up in a ball and get the rounded spine movement that British garden hedgehogs walk with.

The puppets for Feels Like Home were originally developed for a solo show called In The Garden. Made during the 2020 welsh lockdowns at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, In The Garden featured Squirrel and Hedgehog as they worked together to build a nest for winter hibernation, only to be discovered by the gardener. I wrote, designed, made, puppeteered and personally developed the show with the directorial support of puppeteer and puppet maker Dik Downey.

After Autumn 2020, I created a new show using the original characters of Squirrel and Hedgehog. This show, Feels Like Home, was commissioned by the Little Angel Theatre for their digital short film puppetry season. It was developed in collaboration with performers Catherine Phillips and Jodie Irvine. The project was also supported by Greenwich Theatre and Projects Manager Brad Tutt.

Feels Like Home features a cameo from Snail

Feels Like Home is part of Little Angel’s Watch, Make, Share programme encouraging their young audiences to use accessible materials to make their own puppets inspired by the digital short films.

The Hedgehog house making activity below accompanied the film and encourages participants to get outside into the forest in the autumn and find things they can use to turn into a house for their hedgehog. Click through left or right to see the next steps, or download it HERE!

Process

Initial costume design options for In The Garden

Final Costume designs for In The Garden with fabric swatches.

I dyed the fabric, drafted the pattern with my own measurements and sewed the toile and final garment myself.

I added distressed elements to the costume roughing up the knees, adding dirt and fraying some edges to give the dungarees a lived in, used look for The Gardener.