Joseph Coelho OBE, one of Britain’s leading children’s writers, brings his acclaimed poetry collection Overheard in a Tower Block to life next month at Little Angel Studios in Islington, in a new play inspired by his childhood growing up in Roehampton.
Coelho’s 2017 book, published by Otter-Barry Books and illustrated by Kate Milner, captures the highs and lows of urban childhood through the eyes of a young boy navigating family changes, friendship struggles, and the magic that can be found in unexpected places. Longlisted for the Carnegie Medal for Writing, Overheard in a Tower Block became the first in a trilogy of verse novels — a journey that culminated last year when Coelho won the 2024 Carnegie Medal for The Boy Lost in the Maze.
Now adapted for the stage by Little Angel Theatre and directed by Samantha Lane, Overheard in a Tower Block is a powerful, poetic story for audiences aged seven and up. It follows two schoolchildren who find themselves tangled in a mystery involving three unsettling statues on their estate — a story that blends the gritty realities of city life with myth, memory, and wonder.
Speaking to Theatre Weekly, Coelho said the show draws heavily on his own memories of growing up in Roehampton:
“It’s a play inspired by my hometown of Roehampton in Wandsworth and the things that occur when two schoolchildren get on the wrong side of three very creepy statues on their estate. It’s a story about friendship and family and growing up with some magic folded in.”
For Coelho, Roehampton was — and remains — a place of wonder. Despite the concrete towers and high-rise flats, it sits on the edge of Richmond Park and open green spaces, something that profoundly shaped his imagination:
“I was constantly inspired by the juxtaposition of the concrete estate and the wide open spaces of Richmond Park and the surrounding area. Roehampton always felt like a very magical place to me and I’ve always been keen to show children familiar with estates that they can be places of magic too.”
Magic, Coelho explains, is a vital tool for exploring deep emotional themes:
“Magic acts as a metaphor helping us to manifest difficult themes and emotions. In this, the magic of the play explores feelings of upset and confusion when family dynamics change in a young person’s life.”
The production uses puppetry, poetry, and physical theatre to vividly capture the world of Sebastian, the central character, and his shifting relationship with family, friends, and his environment. Coelho worked closely with the creative team to ensure the play stayed true to the spirit of his book while offering something new for the stage.
We have covered Joseph Coelho as one of our Notable Lives: Stories from Wandsworth. You can discover how his childhood memories, local library visits, and life on a tower block shaped his award-winning work in our profile of him.
Details
The play will be staged at Little Angel Studios, Sebbon Street, London N1 2EH, a short walk from Highbury & Islington station. For Putney residents, the journey takes around 45 minutes: South Western Railway from Putney to Vauxhall, Victoria Line to Highbury & Islington, then a 5–10 minute walk to the venue.
Tickets are now available via the Little Angel Theatre website, priced from £14 for adults and £12 for children. Performances begin in May and are expected to be popular, with early booking recommended.
Coelho hopes the production will inspire young audiences, just as Roehampton once inspired him:
“I want young people to be inspired to feel seen and to be moved by the stories I share with them.”
