Chrissie and the
Skiddle Witch
Production photos by Illpressions
Chrissie and the Skiddle Witch is an original musical for ages 8+, blending storytelling, songs, and science. The show was Geologise Theatre's first touring production. It travelled to schools and community venues in 2025, alongside creative climate change workshops with scientists. Prior to this, the show featured in fringe festivals across the country, including Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Bedford Fringe, and Oxford's Offbeat Festival.
British Theatre Guide
Broadway World
Starburst Magazine
“There was a fair number of climate change plays this year including fifteen at the Edinburgh festival. My favourite was Chrissie and the Skiddle Witch”
British Theatre Guide
Reviewers' picks of 2023
The show tells the story of Chrissie, a 13-year-old budding climate change campaigner whose family just don’t get it. When a huge storm hits her seaside town of Skiddle, Chrissie is reluctantly roped into helping the town’s recluse, a strange old lady the kids call the Skiddle Witch. To Chrissie’s surprise, she finds an unlikely ally with a big secret!
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Duo Geologise Theatre blend storytelling, songs, and science in this uplifting story about a family trying to adapt to a changing world and connect across generations. The show was inspired by conversations with scientists and has a strong educational element, with science woven into the story and songs.
“a feel-good musical”
British Theatre Guide
“a delightful production that we strongly recommend”
Starburst Magazine
“Amazing for the whole family”
Audience member
“This show gets the balance right - acknowledging the seriousness of the issue while remaining upbeat and highly entertaining with great songs... pitched at a great level for kids to engage with climate change and its solutions.”​
Helen Johnson, Professor of Ocean and Climate Science, University of Oxford
credits
2025 touring production:​
Script, lyrics - Roberta Wilkinson
Music, lyrics - Matthew Kemp
Performed by - Matthew Kemp & Roberta Wilkinson
Associate Director - Micha Mirto
Set & Costume Designer - Eve Oakley
Stage Manager - Jay Kerry
Digital Artwork - Cecily Church
Workshop Education Consultant - Louise Roberts
Graphic Design - Roberta Wilkinson & Nathaniel Jones
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2023 Edinburgh Festival Fringe production:
Set Designer - Eli Cunniff
With thanks to our 2024/25 tour funders
Our 2024/2025 tour of the show and accompanying workshops are funded by the Natural Environment Research Council via the Oxford DTP in Environmental Research. The tour will focus on widening participation in the Environmental Sciences.
Previous supporters of the show
Our Offbeat Festival 2023 show was supported by Oxfordshire Country Council and is part of Oxfordshire Great Big Green Week
Our Edinburgh Fringe 2023 shows were supported by the Oxford NERC Doctoral Training Partnership in Environmental Research
We are also grateful to European Geosciences Union and University of Oxford Public Engagement with Research Seed Fund for their support in the early development of this project.