‘The Little Red Cap’ and ‘Ruby’

“That was my favourite story ever … I will remember that forever!”

Year 7 and 8 pupils at a North Solihull Special School

“You have a wonderful knack of getting these incredible thoughts out of our children”

North Solihull Primary Teacher

In the distance, Wolf howls.

Ruby: What’s that, Mother?

Mother: Nothing, my dear. Don’t worry your pretty little head.

Wolf slopes off towards the house.

This classic tale was freshly adapted by Big Brum, working with writer Chris Cooper, with three differentiated versions touring from Summer 2025 to Spring 2026. Through the play and TIE programme, the students came to explore and understand the world in which we live and particularly knowing and not knowing : why the mother tells her daughter not to worry; and the insatiable hunger of the ever-present wolf.

Wolf breaks into an open-mouthed leer.

Ruby: Oh, Grandmother … what, what … huge teeth you have.

Wolf slides from the bed towering above Ruby. Pause. Heavy breathing.

Wolf:(Licks lips and teeth) All the better to eat you with.

Ruby:(Whisper) Yes.

Over Summer and Autumn 2025, we toured versions of The Little Red Cap to primary and special schools in North Solihull, Walsall and East Staffordshire.  In Spring 2026, we toured ‘Ruby’, a further adaptation, to West Midlands Secondary and Special Schools. The very successful tour reached 4,571 children young people across 186 sessions in 35 schools, plus 26 university students and 352 teachers.

Watch this space for news of a legacy film and resources!

Director: Richard Holmes.

Cast: Katie Mann, Adam Nicholls, Hannah Pryal, Daisy Quick.

Set images: Matt Reeves.

Sound design: Jack Baggott.

Thanks to … BCU Graduate Scheme students Kian Brown and Millie Faulkner; Kay Wilton; John Bradburn; Sceneset Ltd.