Shockheaded Peter

An instant classic in its own right, the stage production of SHOCKHEADED PETER won rave reviews around the world as one of the most original collaborations of its kind.
SHOCKHEADED PETER was the collective nightmare of the visionary direction and design team of Phelim McDermott and Julian Crouch (co-founders of London's Improbable Theatre) and the underworld's favorite cabaret act, The Tiger Lillies, led by the bizarre and beautiful falsetto of Martyn Jacques.
Created and devised by Julian Bleach, Anthony Cairns, Julian Crouch, Graeme Gilmour, Tamzin Griffin, Jo Pocock, Phelim McDermott, Michael Morris and The Tiger Lillies (Martyn Jacques, Adrian Huge and Adrian Stout

[@sascatisa]

This is without a doubt the greatest show of all time. I was fortunate enough to see the original cast three times in London, once in Chicago, and once in New York City (before they changed out some of the original cast members). I hope it makes rounds again soon, it was fun to see this 'teaser' video...

[@BenBlom]

Still one of the best shows I've ever seen! I was lucky to see it in London and many years later, when I was studying musical theatre and we spend two weeks in New York, I got the chance to see it again. The show and the cast were amazing. I'm still hoping for a dvd release (although I know that's not realistic at all), but, even better, for a revival world tour.

[@suzeepoozee]

My mother took me to see this when I was about 10 and I used to bite my nails, my mother was constantly telling me off for it... After seeing this show and the "snip snip" part of it, I never bit my nails EVER again!! Would love to take my kids to see it one day, I hope it returns to the west end soon.

[@ChrisW75]

I saw this show in London in maybe 2001/2002. Absolutely amazing, I think it's definitely time for this to tour again! I've got kids now I'd like to take to see it.

[@SamPasserdoodlesandhappenings]

The Tigerlillies would be great for a stage adaptation of "A Series of Unfortunate Events."

[@etps4444]

I was literally thinking the same thing when I saw the show today!!

[@re-huvane5622]

With Julian Bleach as Count Olaf

[@ShineOnBenevolentSun]

This show was amazing, I saw it in Seattle ca. 2005 or so. So glad to see that other companies are also staging productions, but I got lucky seeing the Tiger Lillies perform!

[@boomboomvondoom]

All I want is to show my naughty children 8 and 10 years old this and no performance DVD can be found! I saw it in Minneapolis in 2000 and never forgot it. And now I have kids of my own to terrify. The world needs access to that original.

[@chrisrasmussen2866]

This is being performed in Logan, Utah for 2 more nights. Wed March 6 and Thur March 7. It was wonderful.

[@jpmorbid]

I'm so happy to see this posted. I saw Shockheaded Peter when the show came to Los Angeles and loved it. I really wish I had the chance to bring more friends to another performance. It was truley one of the best shows I've ever seen in my life, and it was great to talk with Martyn afterward. Thanks for puting this up here.

[@andyh027]

I had the incredible good fortune to see Shockheaded Peter at the Ohio State University. It was *amazing*; I've rarely had such a good time or enjoyed something so much.

[@dudezillasf]

I love this video! This was the best stage show I've ever seen! The puppets, costumes, 'pop-up book' set, The Tiger Lilies performing live... stunning. Hopefully one day a dvd will come out.

[@filtomsun]

Still the best show I've ever seen. It deserved to become as eternal as Rocky Horror. I wish they'd filmed the entire thing for posterity.

[@aaronmeade5435]

True it really should get a revival I mean If the rocky horror show can come back to life then this should definitely should come back as well suck a thumb is my favourite moment of the whoel show for two reasons one the big goofy scream conrad does when he sucks his thumb and two because of the livley and jumpy mannerisms of the scissor man and when he just stares back as conrad turns around another bit that's only in the live version is conrad running about stage and the poor kid yelps and the scissor man yanks his arms back and then once the scissor snips his thumbs off he pats him on the head 😂😂😂

[@HildebrandJohnson]

After friends in London raved about this play I drove five or so hours to catch one of the early American shows in Minneapolis. It was amazing.

[@26095]

I saw this at Jeune Lune. I'm still feelin it.Loved it.

[@bradberwick]

I envy you both. Where are they playing now?

[@HildebrandJohnson]

Brad David It was ten years ago. The Tiger Lillies may be appearing somewhere, but I think this play is long gone.

[@bradberwick]

#HildebrandJohnson:Thank you for that. Yeah, I'm sure it's long gone by now. They always surprise me. Their stuff is mostly "Brechtian Punk", then they come up with something more melodic, more lovely, even dreamy: "Thousand Violins", "Alone With the Moon". But the words are never trivial.

[@etps4444]

@@HildebrandJohnson Actually, I saw it just today!! It was performed at the Straz Center here in Florida. It was a different cast than that of the Tiger Lillies, but it was fantastic and spooky!!

[@EmperorsNewWardrobe]

I have an fulfilling job, good health, and loving friends & family, but if there's one thing I've grateful for in life, it's not seeing this as a child

[@fraszier]

so proud to be a part of this show. stunning production.

[@maureenswiertz6940]

Saw this in Chicago many, many years ago now and was completely mesmerized. I REALLY hope someone brings another production of this back to Chicago that's done just as well as the last production. And the Tiger Lilies WERE PERFECT for the musical accompaniment.

[@FJMLAM]

I certainly dont think it had it's day! Every one I speak to who saw the show cant wait for it to return : Including me. This was a piece of theatrical history ! C'mon- give it one more go! Please

[@formisfunction1861]

Saw this in San Francisco in 2000 or thereabouts. It was fugging brilliant!

[@katestransky2890]

I love this show. I was fortunate enough to see it in Chicago in 2000 and I still think about it.

[@re-huvane5622]

The performance rights to this show are now being made available to theater groups in the US. There's already been at least two theater companies that have produced it. Hopefully there will be more. :) I'm hoping someday to produce my own production and play the Martyn Jacques role.

[@table8289]

+Ari Srabstein Hey Ari - who licenses the show?

[@re-huvane5622]

Table 8 The company that licenses it in the United States is AO International. I have not seen it listed on their website, but I was contacted by them when I had written to S. Fischer Verlage (the company that licenses the show in Germany) about whether or not it was being performed in the US. They told me that they are the ones who handle the rights. The two companies in the US that produced it were Company One (Boston) and Green Valley Theater (Sacramento, California).

[@re-huvane5622]

Table 8 Are you thinking of doing it for your theater company? If so, do you all have any ideas of how you are going to do it? Though I never saw Company One's production of Shockheaded Peter live, what I have seen of it online did not make me very happy. Mainly because of their interpretation of the M.C (or Theater Director as he's sometimes called in foreign productions). The original performer for the character was a man named Julian Bleach who played him as a ghoulish, Shakespeare obsessed actor who desperately tries to scare his audience but fails for the most part. His interpretation was reminiscent of the Child Catcher from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, as well as the Master of Ceremonies from the musical Cabaret (as played by Joel Grey). Company One's interpretation of the character was as far away from Bleach's character as you can get. He (or in their production, she) was played by an actor who looked nothing like Bleach. Now I've only seen just a little bit of footage of her performance, but what I saw did not impress me. I also was disappointed that they didn't have the cast wear white face makeup which was part of the original show as well as many productions in Germany as well as Norway and Austria. That's one of my favorite parts of the show.

[@KristinaElyseButke]

Saw this in NYC in the early aughts. Wonderful show that changed my thoughts on theater (in the best ways possible).

[@aaronmeade5435]

5:25 this puppets scares the shitballs out of me but seriously the amazing emotion of guilt and worry conard has on his face as he scrambles to get up is superb and the face of horor when his mama laughs is equally brilliant

[@gypsypunk333]

I saw you when you came to Chicago. My dad would read these stories to me when I was a kid. Amazing amazing amazing show. Please come back!

[@sirskeptic]

By far the best stage production I've ever seen. I was fortunate enough to get hold of an original English SHP book (hand coloured plates) with the under title "moral stories with funny pictures". It was just as horrible and violent.

[@littlebetty1000]

I would love to see this back on the London stage. It's a piece of theatre magic.

[@NephilimBride]

i ushered at the little shubert when it toured in NYC and I watched almost every performance. It was.. truly amazing.

[@PetPeevePro]

I was fortunate to see this show @ UCLA's Royce Hall. I had no idea what I was about to see. Needless to say, I've seen every Tiger Lillies performance since. They're amazing. Already have my tickets for the Halloween show this year.

[@AaronMeade-gj9pl]

Amazing show i love conarad yelping like a full grown man and julien bleach was made for this show the moment he pranced in with a big shock of hair and that lunatic smile you knew shit was going down plus the music is amazing

[@SOLIANDER7035]

I saw this when it played in New York City back in the early 2000s. It was outstanding

[@reneledford4460]

Saw this in San Francisco many years ago and we were completely enthralled. Yes, it's dark. Music is great. Would see it again,

[@moviefan1955]

Wonderful and delightfully macabre - a great trailer for this slice of Grand Guignol theatre , how I wish that the whole show was available on DVD !!!

[@mistersantosnyc]

I saw this show in NYC (where I'm from) a few years ago. It was AMAZING & I was instantly hooked to their music & entranced by their style. A funny thing about the show, when the tailor cut Conrad's thumbs, they popped off & flew into the crowd, one of which landed squarely in my lap! I kept it for a while on my bedside table.

[@Mandrax2011]

Probably the only musical that I've ever enjoyed. I saw it at the Lyric in Hammersmith around 2002 and now wish I'd actually managed to catch it again before it disappeared. My daughter has just started reading the childrens book and I've introduced her to the Tiger Lillies songs and she loves them too. It's a real shame that we're unlikely to see this show again.

[@iammoog]

do PLEASE one day give us a full show DVD of this wonderful show. I saw it 4 times in London and miss it on a regular basis. x

[@sallyconnolly7196]

I saw this in London. Amazing. Best thing I ever saw on the West End stage.

[@dwarfsid]

Best theater show I saw in nine years in NYC.

[@beforeourveryeyes]

Thank you!

[@Spookiedoofus]

I was lucky enough to see this in London when it was on. The Tiger Lilies gained a fan that night!

[@jovannakk]

i love Tiger Lillies' class and quality. I absolutely do. Saw Circus and Freakshow in Athens, just incredible.. Thank you for the video!

[@MissisBeguildy]

Seen them live twice and going to see their alternative panto Sinderella at the Southbank Centre this month...they are completely different from anything else and creepily amazing.

[@crooked_teeth.]

Was this musical released on DVD or is there some sort of recording? The visuals are amazing.

[@Riff156]

I saw this show at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC--loved it!!

[@Singedwings]

I am honored to have caught this in NYC- it was a treat.

[@compareFirepower]

Everyone's gushing over how cool this video is, but seriously, does no one see how creepy and sinister it is? The whole thing gives me the chills. Wake up, people!

[@StephenGraves]

The TVM was sold with the slogan "He's back and it's about time," while the new series was sold with the slogan "D'you want to come on an exciting adventure." One failed, one's a massive critical and commercial success. The forward-looking one, which has created a generation of new fans. And they care not a whit for your hopeless clinging to the dead past. Run along and watch your Revelation of the Daleks DVD, and I'll enjoy Julian Bleach knocking it out of the park in the new series, eh?

[@Creeporium]

Does no one realize how terrifying this is?

[@ejlens]

One of the best shows (if not the best) I have ever seen.

Saw it in Chicago a few years ago would love for it to return

[@HildebrandJohnson]

I'd like to see the show again, too. I drive five hours to see it in Minneapolis (that was as close as it got on the first tour). It was amazing.

[@indylar]

Me too!! I kept laughing that night in the hotel. My wife thought I was completely deranged.

[@jeffreypick57]

I saw the show twice in London a few years ago and really loved it. It reminded me of a theatre du complicte version of Gormenghast done in the same style. Both brilliant

[@storskegg]

There's all these snippets of video from the production...surely the whole thing has been filmed. I'd love to find a copy.

[@kimberleyames1201]

I saw this in London years ago, it blew my mind!

[@PorgWitch]

BRING THIS BACK

[@Baldricksturnip]

The show looks really amazing.

[@lovingboth]

I've seen well over a thousand shows over the years, but this remains my favourite because it's 'just a little bit different'. I saw it in its first run and knew it was something very, very special after the first few lines. How much of the show was recorded like this? I ended up seeing it live about fourteen times and would love to have the full thing to watch again. The last London show was just over five years ago, sniff, and it's been too long. The current TL cabaret doesn't count...

[@RodrigoE.Torres]

Exselente, the tiger lilles son unos maestros del Cabaret y de la estetica grotesca. Este espectaculo en especial creo que es magnifico por su teatraligad definida y la musica que escojieron Son unos MASTERS los esperamos en Mexico

[@26095]

Saw this in Mpls, staged at Theatre de le Jeune Lune... Trés formidable!

[@jellybean454]

This is incredible, i want to see this. really badly.

[@myslowhans]

muy bueno. tiger lillies musica para el aburrimiento.

[@imageinaction]

Nice one, Reef. We should be looking forward for that!

[@andagilrow9579]

amazing play i loved it

[@philfx]

I can't wait to see Julian Bleach in the role as Davros...

[@Trayusstudent1]

@CharlieCobolt If you mean the actor, thats Julian Bleach. To sci fi fans he has appeared in Doctor Who as Davros, creator of the Daleks, the Nightmare Man in The Sarah Jane Adventures, and the Ghost Maker in Torchwood.

[@bigavsha]

Wow, I've seen them about 6-7 years ago I think when I was just a little kid, they came to Israel and my dad took us to see the show, it scared the shit out me pants. the shit- the shit was scared out me pants. (especially the Snip Snip song)

[@lydiabyron1801]

Are these the same people that sang the music for the Cravendale 'Barry the biscuit boy' advert?

[@re-huvane5622]

Yes they are.

[@rkinsey64]

Julian Bleach has an amazing presence. Add a touch of the ring modulator and I can really see him doing a grand Davros rant!

[@aaronmeade5435]

He does the way he stares at conrad is unsettling he's not just staring at a puppet he's starring at his prize the thumbs 😮

[@thehouseofautomata]

What a brilliant show. I came to see you in london 4 times and I hate the bloody theatre!

[@LilMs666]

Am determined to catch these guys at Canterbury at the end of the month :)

[@kaihiwatari111]

Were doing a college project and we wer told to look this up, Its very interesting aand creative

[@antarcticolors]

I love how this was a children's book.

[@unrepublicoespagnolenfrance]

Este es el teatro mágico, el circo de freacks, la casa mutante de mis sueños. ¡Al fin lo encontré!

[@Cuezaltzin]

I know Tim Burton is very comercial right now but if he bit into this it would be epic.

[@aaronmeade5435]

True it makes you think why Burton never made a anthology movie about this book imagine the cleaver symbolism like the bully boys could be actual thugs who have phones with the words BullY BoZz, the tailor could have the scissors fused to his hands, Johnny head in the air could have a neck bracelet to help his head be fushed to the ground, agrippa might be a imorrtal wizard or the hare could be magical tlaking animal who wants to kill the hunter who's a trafficker who shoots people for fun and his wife makes cofee from thier bodily fluids

[@Cuezaltzin]

@@aaronmeade5435 Brilliant, I would love it! How do we beg him to make it happen?!

[@aaronmeade5435]

@@Cuezaltzin thank you I haven't the foggiest clue but hopefully it will happen any cool ideas yourself?

[@Trayusstudent1]

That start bit is very sinister. If he is playing Davros I hope it's similar

[@HildebrandJohnson]

Me, too. It was great.

[@mrspeel7]

I love how the Great Tall Tailor tests the sharpness of his shears at 4:42, then sucks his OWN thumb. And his face afterward, until 4:50, is the creepiest thing I've ever beheld!

[@mrspeel7]

4:42

[@aaronmeade5435]

​​@@mrspeel7 know that's such a great idea that he actually has to check the sharpness of his own scissors and hypocriticaly sucks his thumb is just brilliant the way he swoosh in and out is amazing

[@lovingboth]

While I remember, is there something somewhere on the changes made between the first 1998 runs in Leeds and Hammersmith and the subsequent ones? They were about five to ten minutes shorter. And what happened to the website, done by one of the TL? The domain records show it never lapsed, but what's there now ain't it. Yes, it's in the V&A, but they have an archive of productions, not 'films' of them, so expect one or two static cameras, not like this. I want it baaack! I want it baaack!!

[@AcademyNS]

So does the show get done only when The Tiger Lilies are available to play it?

[@ReefHaddad]

The Victoria and Albert Museum in London have a film recording of the performance, but due to legal reasons cannot distribute it. But at least it means there is hope of seeing it on the screen in the future.

[@CaityCaitsRocks22]

I had to watch this in my drama class, So disturbing and we have to act it!

[@lovingboth]

You lucky thing! I saw it fourteen times and never once got a thumb.

[@ReefHaddad]

I am unable to post the link to the website, but search on google using this phrase: "victoria albert shockheaded" click on the top link to the v&a website. I also emailed them to confirm that they have it, and they do.

[@sinandacceleration]

silly bully boys will lose their toyz! great verse.

[@s8ntmark]

I missed this when it was in LA :( I'm sad it will never be performed again :( Maybe there is a DVD release in the future?? Or a film adaptation???

[@SystemFreaKk13]

Well there's Dwight Schrute's "Struwwelpeter"

[@philfx]

NOW there is a feeling in the series that they want to make this a special thing. They want Davros to be pure again like he was in Genesis so they've opted for a new actor who will pull off the role incredibly! Davros is a FREAK! We need him back as a Freak not the mellowed down versions we've had since Wisher launched the character.

[@juliancrouch]

I think not. It has had its day sadly. I miss it

[@chrisfass]

i really hope the davros rumours are true, this guy is amazing

[@majamaja3333]

Excellent! They are coming to Vienna in a few months and im hoping to catch them there. Does anybody know will they put on a concert or will it be this play?

[@thinkngrin]

I saw this production in NYC 2004? After falling in love with the CD version I couldn,t believe I was actually seeing the Tiger Lillies performing. Incredible, delisciously creepy,hysterical,and totally awesome! I cannot put into words how lucky I felt to have had the EXPERIENCE! Please tell me, is this available in a DVD format?

[@philfx]

Everytime I look at this video I think.... MICHAEL WISHER! Not least the fact the voice is so similiar... Molloy had a deeper voice that didn't have the almost Dalek resonance like the original Davros... Remember Nyder? His voice had a Dalek resonance as did Wisher... so does Juilan Bleach.

[@Jakovian12345]

Snip Snip!

[@oldbirdproductions]

He's the new Davros in Dr who!

[@StephenGraves]

Molloy isn't "the" Davros, he's not even the one who originated the role. And of course Davies is giving us "his" Davros, that's what a producer does. He's not obliged to give Molloy first refusal on the role any more than he had to give David Banks a shot at voicing the Cybermen. I for one am looking forward to Bleach's performance - he looks freaky as all hell in this video.

[@ManiaDepressiaBand]

was this documented anywhere? is there a dvd or anything? i was too young when this came to israel and now i feel like i missed something really big...

[@mikamusic4503]

Tramway Glasgow Scotland 90s

[@SHEPARD22]

Anybody does the scissor man remind you of a better version of the shadow man from the old Smirnoff ice advert years ago?

[@MaxZhuma]

Кто думает, что Tiger Lillies это только потешно - маст си. Это ж экзистенциальный ужос

[@jasonmosler]

where on earth can i get a dvd of this? not from their official site...

[@spugintrntl]

Wow... where can I get a DVD of this performance?