The Promise
A young girl survives in a hard city, nothing grows, everything is broken and no one ever smiles. One lonely night, she meets a woman and makes her a strange promise. Slowly, colour, warmth and music return to the world, a forest grows and a community is forged.
Inspired by the much-loved children’s story, by Nicola Davies and Laura Carlin, The Promise is a new family opera created by Nicola Davies, Daniel Saleeb, Lucy Bradley, Ruth Paton and Sascha Gilmour.  Part performance, part environmental act, our magical story will invite its audience to make their own promise, to plant trees, and to come together to protect the environment.  
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The Promise was first published by Walker Books in 2014

With many thanks to Walker Books, Nicola Davies and Laura Carlin for allowing us to adapt their wonderful  story

​Development
During the Spring and Summer 2021 we worked with 4 schools in West Cumbria to explore the story, its themes and music with Key stage 2 children. We also delivered activity around planting, and highlighting the importance of looking after our natural environment. In 2022 we'll be developing this work further to reach into new areas including Tower Hamlets, Surrey and West Yorkshire.

Partners
In summer 2021, we undertook our first R and D on The Promise which was kindly supported by Wild Rumpus, at the Forest Forge in Cheshire.  Throughout our work we'll be partnering with grass roots organisations specialising in tree planting, re-forestation and conservation. So far these include Workington Nature Partnership and Mersey Forests. 

Supporters
We are thrilled to be supported by Arts Council England grants for the arts, and by Without Walls. 
​Without Walls is a network of festivals that works with artists to bring fantastic outdoor arts to people in towns and cities across the UK. For more information on the work of Without Walls, please visit www.withoutwalls.uk.com