Wise Owl Theatre Company Ltd craft and create engaging theatre accessible for everyone. We bring storytelling to life, through a variety of performance mediums including puppetry, music, and dance.
We work with leading theatres across the UK, as well as delivering exciting and immersive performances on steam trains, in museums and historical sights.
Wise Owl is proud to be in partnership with highly regarded creative specialists, who’s skill brings these stories to life…
Jonathan Saville,
Director of Programming Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham
With a keen interest in diverse performance art, Chris integrates puppetry, music, and dance to make stories accessible and entertaining for all. In 2015, he founded Wise Owl Theatre Company Ltd., dedicated to bringing storytelling to life through visually stimulating methods. His commitment to accessibility has led to fruitful collaborations with some of the UK’s most talented creative minds, including a close partnership with War Horse Associate Director Matthew Forbes. Recognised for creating captivating performances, Chris has toured prestigious UK venues such as the Curve Theatre Leicester, Cheltenham Everyman, Buxton Opera House, and Theatre Royal Nottingham.
Since 2018, he has served as the Artistic Director for The Polar Express Train Ride, captivating audiences in Birmingham and the Yorkshire Dales by bringing the magic of the beloved 2004 film to life. Chris has theatrically recreated Chris Van Allsburg’s classic story onboard steam trains, transforming each journey into an immersive family experience.
Since Chris took on the role, an estimated 200,000 people have enjoyed the show, and audience numbers continue to rise. Last year, Bolton Abbey Steam Railway welcomed 32,000 customers aboard The Polar Express, with an impressive 50,000 attending this year. Notably, he pioneered the first Polar Express Train Ride operating on a mainline railway at Birmingham Moor St Station in the heart of the city, setting a new standard for rail operators across the country. Through his innovative approach, Chris has redefined the possibilities of immersive train experiences in the UK.
Chris is also dedicated to using theatre as a powerful educational tool. Currently, he is collaborating with local authors and illustrators to develop innovative works that highlight the importance of environmental stewardship and animal conservation. His commitment to both education and the arts drives his mission to create meaningful theatre that resonates with audiences of all ages.
Chloe trained in musical theatre at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. After graduating, she played the role of Heavenly Friend in the musical Carousel, Hope in Rumpelstiltskin’s Daughter, as well as Hermia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Other theatre credits include: Mating Game, The Fancy Man, The Titfield Thunderbolt and Rattle of a Simple Man.
Chloe recently returned to theatre after taking a break, for a number of years, to work as a behaviourist with rescue dogs. She has appeared regularly on Paul O’Grady’s: For the Love of Dogs and BBC’s The One Show where she spoke about responsible puppy ownership!
She is delighted to be part of the creative team and is very excited to transfer her coaching and management skills to the role of assistant producer.
Matthew works internationally as a Director, with a strong focus on puppetry, object manipulation and physical theatre. He trained at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama as an Actor, specialising in collaborative and devised theatre.
Alongside his professional directing career Matthew also teaches puppetry and movement internationally and has directed students in productions and projects from ArtsEd, East15 and the Royal Central School of Speech & Drama.
Credits include: The Woman Who Finally Got Inside Her Husband’s Brain (Omnibus Theatre); Holes (UK Tour); Skellig (Nottingham Playhouse); Treasure Island (Leicester Haymarket Theatre); Once on this Island (ArtsEd); Holes (Nottingham Playhouse); Babe The Sheep-Pig (Polka Theatre & National Tour); Dinner at the Twits (Les Enfants Terribles, The Vaults); The Witches (Dundee Rep); Adventures in Wonderland (Les Enfants Terribles, The Vaults); and The Steadfast Tin Soldier (Little Angel Theatre & The Old Vic).Associate/Assistant Credits include: War Horse (UK & International Tour 2019-2020); War Horse (UK Tour 2017-2018); Kiki’s Delivery Service (Southwark Playhouse); War Horse (UK, Ireland & South Africa 2013-2015); War Horse (Holland & Belgium tour 2014-2016); War Horse (Australia & New Zealand 2012-2013); War Horse (China 2016-2017); and Alice’s Adventures Underground (Les Enfants Terribles, The Vaults).
Kevin is a designer of set and costumes for theatrical productions. He trained on the Motley Theatre Design Course and produces designs that are innovative and visually creative whilst being practical.
With well over 100 credits, his playful and intelligent designs have been seen in many theatres including in London and New York.
His work is varied and includes designs for Sir Alan Ayckbourn and designs for large community casts.
Mel Knott has worked as the choreographer for Wise Owl Theatre Company’s “The Polar Express” production since 2018.
Mel is currently a Lecturer in Community Dance Practice at De Montfort University and Associate Dance Artist at Curve. She teaches and choreographs dance in higher education, schools and within the youth and community dance sector, and leads Curve’s Young Dance Company.
Her credits include: Curve’s productions of Fiddler on the Roof (2018) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2017); and movement director on Made at Curve productions of Giraffes Can’t Dance (2019), Cat in the Hat(2018), Roald Dahl’s George’s Marvellous Medicine (2017), Breakfast at Tiffany’s (2016), Roald Dahl’s The Witches (2015/16).
In 2014 Mel worked alongside Nikolai Foster to create a large-scale community performance for Richard III reinterment at Leicester Cathedral.Prior to moving to the East Midlands, Mel enjoyed 12 years as the Director of Dance at The BRIT School in London.