The Borrowers Programme

A Tiny Adventure Begins This Christmas!

By Mary Norton and Written by Bea Roberts

Directed by Gitika Buttoo and Music by Dave Bintley

Hidden beneath the floorboards of an empty house you’ll find a peculiar miniature world that belongs to brave Arrietty and her family of Borrowers. These clever Borrowers make use of anything they find “upstairs”, from buttons to biscuits and baubles.

But their quiet existence is disturbed when a family of Human Beans arrives! Soon the gentle dripping of pipes is replaced by Hoovers, TV’s and the sound of Slade on the radio. Arrietty is desperate to understand what life is like for the Beans upstairs and her friendship with eight year old Eddie is the opportunity to do just that.

Sneak Peek

Young Eddie looking into lens. The Borrowers by the Dukes, photo by Gabi Dawkins

The Borrowers at the Dukes. Pod and Homily holding a giant cotton bud. Photo by Gabi Dawkins

Mrs Driver pointing pink feather duster to camera. The Borrowers by the Dukes, photo by Gabi Dawkins.

The Borrowers Family Photo of Pod, Homily and Arrietty. The Borrowers by the Dukes, photos by Gabi Dawkins.

Arrietty with a giant jammy dodger. The Borrowers by the Dukes, photo by Gabi Dawkins

Mrs Driver and Young Eddie looking into the lens. The Borrowers by the Dukes, photo by Gabi Dawkins.

Homily sat with giant cork and pencil sharpener. The Borrowers by the Dukes, photo by Gabi Dawkins

Pod reading giant magazine clipping upside down. The Borrowers by the Dukes, photo by Gabi Dawkins.

Arrietty leaning on giant jammy dodger. The Borrowers by the Dukes, photo by Gabi Dawkins.

Young Eddie reaching for the lens. The Borrowers by the Dukes, photo by Gabi Dawkins.

Older Eddy looking into lens. The Borrowers by the Dukes, photo by Gabi Dawkins.

First Look on Stage

Pod, Homily & Arrietty listening for Human Beans. The Borrowers by the Dukes, photo by Gabi Dawkins

Mrs Driver being push around stage on a brown leather sofa by younger and older eddie. The Borrowers by the Dukes, photo by Gabi Dawkins

Young Eddie holding a packet of crisps. The Borrowers by the Dukes, photo by Gabi Dawkins

Older Eddie telling the story of The Borrowers. The Borrowers by the Dukes, photo by Gabi Dawkins

Pod and Arrietty hiding in a sardine tin. The Borrowers by the Dukes, photo by Gabi Dawkins

Homily running across stage to Arrietty. The Borrowers by the Dukes, photo by Gabi Dawkins

The Borrowers Cast

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Amy Tara

Cast - Arrietty

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Darren Jeffries

Cast - Pod

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Katie Erich

Cast - Homily

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Claire Storey

Cast - Mrs Driver

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Howard Chadwick

Cast - Older Eddie

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Matthew Heywood

Cast - Young Eddie

Behind The Scenes

The Borrowers by the Dukes Script. Photo by Gabi Dawkins

Amy Tara and Darren Jeffries reading a script. The Borrowers by the Dukes, photo by Gabi Dawkins.

Full cats and crew reading script. The Borrowers at the Dukes, photo by Gabi Dawkins.

Laura O'Connor measuring costumes. The Borrowers by the Dukes, photo by Gabi Dawkins

Katie Duxbury sewing costumes. The Borrowers by the Dukes, photo by Gabi Dawkins

Wardrobes moodboard featuring designs of the costumes. The Borrowers by the Dukes, photo by Gabi Dawkins

Get to know the team!

Crew Credits

Director: Gitika Buttoo Music by: Dave Bintley Stage Manager: Siobhan Ashton Assistant Stage Manager: Ella Kirk Deputy Stage Manager: Eleanor Condon Head Technician: Brent Less Designer: Richard Foxton

Wardrobe Supervisor: Laura O’Connor Costume Makers: Katie Duxbury Ann Preston Roisin Brennan Christine Bissell Trainee Costume Assistant: Harry Pearce

Oglethorpe Sturton & Gillibrand Sponsorship

Lancaster House Hotel

Show Sponsors

We are delighted to be sponsored by two incredible local business this year. Thanks to their contributions we can continue to deliver the very best festive magic to you!

Lancaster House Hotel

Following their generous sponsorship of this year's summer show of Alice in Wonderland in Williamson Park, we are delighted to announce that Lancaster House Hotel are one of our sponsors for 'The Borrowers' Christmas Show!

The Dukes’ Christmas Show is a highlight of the annual calendar and a popular event for all ages in the Lancashire community and Lancaster House Hotel's sponsorship is important in ensuring that 'The Borrowers' is the most fabulous festive treat for everyone!

Lancaster House Hotel also provides support for theatre, art and creative activities delivered for young people in our local community through support from English Lakes Hotels Sam's Club Charity including complementary tickets for a school, Christmas lunches, school workshops and more.

Lancaster House Hotel General Manager, Emma Underwood said "We’re keen to maintain our working relationship with the Dukes this year. It continues to be an inspiring cultural hub for theatre, cinema and art in Lancaster’s local communities and across Lancashire as a whole. The aim of our sponsorship is to make a difference to the lives of young people and their families by giving them free access to some brilliant cultural experiences and learning opportunities."

Oglethorpe Surton & Gillibrand Solicitors

We are delighted that Oglethorpe Sturton & Gillibrand Solicitors (Oglethorpe Sturton & Gillibrand) have partnered with us for the first time as a generous sponsor of The Dukes’ Christmas Show, ‘The Borrowers’. Oglethorpe Sturton & Gillibrand are one of Lancaster’s longest-established law firms with strong local connections and the firm recognises that The Dukes is a cultural institution in the Lancaster and the North Lancashire community.

The Dukes’ Christmas Show draws in audiences in the thousands who come along each year and thanks to the generous support of Oglethorpe Sturton & Gillibrand, our production of The Borrowers will be extra special for audience members of all ages.