Nettle Knickers – Bringing the world of Lost Plant Knowledge Back to life - A short documentary by adliberate. Funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. Nettle Knickers is an interactive puppet theatre show based on plant characters supported by educational workshops, and a fun educational animated history of the use of herbal medicine through time. Following funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund Spectral Arts created the Nettle Knickers project with Medical Herbalist Julia Behrens, performer Kay Beech, artist Dean Blunkell and animator Tim Sanpher. Using folk law, fairy tales, myths and combining them with real active ingredients in the form of well known medicinal plants the Nettle Knickers puppet show brings to life a collection of herbal puppets which personify the dramatic charismatic appeal of the plant kingdom. Nettle Knickers is a puppet show and fun, educational animation which takes audiences on a creative journey through nature’s medicine cabinet. The project’s aims are to inspire, educate and help children and young people to understand the use and benefits, of plants and encourage them to protect our natural world - inside and out of our bodies. We want them to see plants as an important and useful part of our natural heritage. So far we have performed shows at local schools across Brighton and Lewes and at Heritage sites such as Ann of Cleves House, Michelham Priory, Lewes Priory and Berling Gap. The schools audiences also participated in educational workshops designed to support and complement the puppet show. Julia Behrens said: “We’re very excited that the Heritage Lottery Fund has given us this support and the opportunity to bring our natural heritage to life. Come and join in the adventures of cranky Hildegaard Von Nettles, and the hypnotisingly beautiful Belladonna! Discover the healing power of Marigold, and find out why Lord Dandelion has a pressing urge!” About the Heritage Lottery Fund Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) aims to make a lasting difference for heritage, people and communities across the UK and help build a resilient heritage economy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, they invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported almost 35,000 projects with more than £5.3bn across the UK. www.hlf.org.uk. For further information, interviews and bookings, please contact: Julia @ SpectralArts dot org

• published: 12 Jan 2015
• views: 50