🎯 Spotlight On: Up Jumped the Crab – A Story of Cromer Now & Then
A charming miniature puppet show celebrating Cromer’s crab fishing heritage through music, marionettes, and maritime magic.
Up Jumped the Crab
🦀 By Crooked Timber Theatre (Gemma Khawaja)
📅 Available for 2025–2026 bookings
📍 Ideal for: Outdoor festivals, fetes, gardens, libraries, schools, museums & community spaces
🌊 The Show
Up Jumped the Crab: A Story of Cromer Now & Then is a joyful, wordless puppet tale that follows a day at sea with real-life Cromer crab fishermen. Using handcrafted rod marionettes, kinetic set design and East Anglian folk music, the show offers a playful and heart warming dive into local heritage.
With mermaids, mischief and a very cheeky squid in the mix, this beautifully crafted miniature performance is a charming experience for all ages. Performed outdoors (on grass is best!) or indoors in small, cosy spaces.
Ideal for family audiences and small groups (max 40), the show is followed by music and audience interaction — and includes optional step-dancing and sing-along elements.
📺 As Seen On TV
Featured on Susan Calman’s Grand Day Out (Cromer episode, Channel 5) — catching national attention for its originality, warmth and creativity.
About Crooked Timber Theatre
Founded in Cromer, North Norfolk, Crooked Timber Theatre is the creation of puppeteer and folk singer Gemma Khawaja. The company specialises in innovative children's puppet theatre inspired by folk tales, coastal traditions and English heritage.
Gemma is an accomplished performer and workshop leader with over 20 years’ touring experience. She trained extensively at Norwich Puppet Theatre, where she learned traditional puppet-making and performance techniques from 2001–2004. You may have seen her in touring productions like Thumbelina, The Pied Piper, Beastly Belle, and more.
Her experience spans leading UK companies such as Horse + Bamboo, Little Angel Theatre, and Monstro Theatre.
👉 Up Jumped the Crab is Crooked Timber’s second touring show — developed from a lockdown project into a full-fledged, miniature stage experience.
“Watch the boats launch, the tide turn, and Cromer’s fishing heritage unfold in puppet-sized wonder…”
🎟️ Key Info
👶 Ages: All ages (Recommended for 3+)
🕒 Duration: Approx. 30 minutes + audience interaction
🎭 Type: Miniature Puppet Theatre (Rod Marionettes)
🧾 Fee: £500 per day (3x shows) + negotiable travel
👥 Max audience per show: 40
🎶 Genre: Folk-inspired, Non-verbal Visual Theatre
🌱 Settings: Outdoor & Indoor (grass preferred for festivals)
♿ Accessibility: Touch tours available upon request
📸 Promo & Booking Info
📽 Promo Video: Watch on Vimeo
📧 Booking: gemkhawaja@gmail.com
📲 Instagram: @gemma__khawaja
🌍 More info: linktr.ee/gemmakhawaja
👏 Created & Performed by
Gemma Khawaja / Crooked Timber Theatre
