Infectious Theatre will undertake an intensive nine-day research and development phase for a new production: Raven Boy, a play set in the Tower of London during the Blitz, with an empowering young hero and exciting links to London's history, that melds history and fantasy, and exciting forms: physical theatre, puppetry, projection, strong movement, and original music. The project stems from Infectious Theatre’s conviction in the power of storytelling theatre to speak across the generations, and to reach potentially isolated individuals through exciting, accessible and transformative theatre experiences.

This is a collaborative project with partnering venue Jacksons Lane, who are donating rehearsal and performance space for the R&D. This will culminate in a scratch showing, to which industry professionals will be invited, with the goal of forming a relationship with a producer, and opening channels of communication with funding bodies and venues so that we may be in a position to continue development, aiming for a full run of Raven Boy, and the intent to tour to mid-scale venues across the UK in 2012.

Raven Boy tells the story of young Bran, orphaned ten years before the Blitz and raised in secrecy by ravens in the Tower of London. They believe him to be the King of the Birds - as prophesized in raven-lore - who will one day protect their legacy, and they share with him their duty to protect the Tower and Britain. When this comes under threat from the Blitz, a struggle between darkness and light in the Raven world begins, in which Bran must step from the shadows to accept and face his human weaknesses, limitations and fears, and discover where his destiny truly lies.