Friendship, difference and the beauty of being yourself

The Tale of the Loneliest Whale will be delighting the children in a special performance at Bracklesham Barn on Sunday, September 13.

Jon Summers-Mileman, who is promoting the event, teamed up with Applause Rural Touring to bring the show to West Sussex, with tickets available on https://www.ticketsource.com/witterings-theatre/the-tale-of-the-loneliest-whale/e-jpgmok

Proceeds from the event will be donated to the RNLI Selsey Lifeboat Station.

In the piece, Whale sings his heart out into the deep blue sea… but nobody sings back. Is he the only one like him in the whole ocean?

Just when he’s about to give up, a mysterious voice echoes through the waves. Determined to find the singer, Whale embarks on an unforgettable adventure – diving through glowing coral caves, dodging wibbly jellyfish and facing wild-eyed sea monsters. But will he ever find a friend who hears his song?

The show comes from Hoglets Theatre, with Jon promising “an exciting deep-sea adventure packed with beautiful puppets, hilarious sea creatures, original songs and lots of audience interaction.

“The Tale of the Loneliest Whale is a magical, interactive show that celebrates friendship, difference and the beauty of being yourself.

“At its heart, this is a story about neurodiversity, about how being different can be lonely, but also beautiful. The play was developed through workshops and conversations with children, including those with experience of autism, ADHD and other forms of neurodivergence. Their insights shaped everything from the characters, music and story structure to the sensory elements and pacing of the show.”

The Tale of the Loneliest Whale is part of Half Moon Presents, the producing arm of Half Moon, supporting the promotion and development of theatre for young audiences at a national and international level.

Jon said: “I am setting myself up as a bit of a promoter and putting on pieces of theatre that come down here. I did one earlier this year which went very well and I've got a couple of family-friendly ones coming up. The first is this one and then I've got another one in February half-term.

“I have partnered up with Applause Rural Touring which works across Kent and Sussex. They find the best theatre and they try to organise opportunities for it with like-minded people.

“I have not seen it yet but it's based on a real story about a whale that sings at the wrong frequency and can't be heard by other whales. The whale is basically singing in the wrong key and he feels alone. He is trying to find a friend. I was quite inspired by this journey, this journey across the oceans and the way it becomes a very gentle piece of storytelling with music. It sounded like something that was just perfect for the age of four and up and would be a really good gentle introduction to theatre. It will be done in a very relaxed way. The performer will bring it out into the crowd. It's a 45-minute piece.”

Hoglets Theatre creates exciting, original theatre and storytelling experiences for primary and pre-school aged children. Their productions combine handmade puppetry, original songs, immersive storytelling and playful interaction, ensuring young audiences are not just spectators but active participants in the adventure.

“Whether in theatres, schools, libraries, or community spaces, their shows are designed to spark imaginations, inspire empathy and create lasting memories for children and their families.

“Over a decade of work, they have built a reputation for playful, high-quality theatre that balances creativity with accessibility. From magical winter tales with giant puppets to summer adventures under the open sky, their work adapts to almost any space, big or small, without losing its richness or theatrical impact.”