The Castle of Silence had its premiere run in July 2014 at the Caixa Forum in Madrid, then a summer season at the Kalk Bay Community Centre in December 2014 and another run at the Observatory Family Festival in March 2015.
The Castle of Silence is written and directed by Lisa Espi, who has collaborated with Pedro on many shows including The Mermaid from Zanzibar.
The story takes place in a little kingdom on the coast of Africa, governed by a good and wise old king who loves music. His granddaughter Lulama sings like a songbird and his castle is a happy place where children love to visit. The king plays mbira and every child plays in the orchestra - an African orchestra full of amazing instruments.
The day comes when a new king takes over. This king is interested only in getting rich and instead of helping people, he devises a hundred ways of getting money out of them. He builds high walls and bars to guard his fortune - but there is something that can get through those barriers to spoil his gold and he is intent on destroying it: music! The castle becomes The Castle of Silence.
Benjamin the baker's son and the princess Lulama come up with a plan. Together with all the children, they are going to bring music to the Castle of Silence.
But how do you make music without instruments? And how can a group of children confront an army of soldiers and guards, and win?
The whole audience helps by making music for the last song each with a small one note pipe which they take away.
There is a special surprise at the end as each child is given a treat from the castle as well as their own pipe and a booklet about the instruments in the show.
The show is aimed at children of all ages from 4 upwards.
