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behind the scenes in Seoul with Meet Fred

We’re thrilled to update you on our exciting collaboration with the Wooran Foundation in Seoul! Meet Fred, a show that began on a shoestring budget in Ammanford back in 2016, continues to evolve and surprise us. After touring nearly 300 shows across 131 cities in 19 countries, Fred has truly become a global sensation.

This isn’t Fred’s first appearance in South Korea either. Back in January 2019, the original production headlined the opening season of Korea's Disability Arts & Culture Center. Now, we’re returning with a groundbreaking purpose: to work with the Wooran Foundation in creating a fully Korean version of the show. We are incredibly honoured by the opportunity and humbled by the many adventures this little puppet has taken us on.

For those unfamiliar with Meet Fred, the show tells the story of a two-foot-tall cloth puppet named Fred, who struggles to retain control of his life as he faces the challenges of living in a world that treats him as nothing more than fabric. With humour, heart, and a touch of absurdity, Meet Fred explores what it means to be 'different' in a world that values conformity. Through Fred’s journey, the audience is invited to reflect on wider issues of human dignity, independence, and the bureaucratic hurdles disabled people encounter.

The show is a co-production between Hijinx and Blind Summit Theatre, featuring a unique blend of puppetry and theatre that brings Fred’s trials and triumphs to life. Fred’s plight to maintain his dignity and independence is filled with laugh-out-loud moments, but also a poignant message that resonates with audiences worldwide.

Earlier this year, in February, a small team—alongside Blind Summit’s Artistic Director and co-founder Mark Down—travelled to South Korea to run workshop auditions. Mark led three days of focused puppetry workshops, while Ben ran two days of theatre workshops. The aim was not only to assess technical skills but also to find individuals with the right personal qualities—patience, empathy, and the ability to collaborate in a supportive and inclusive environment. This balance of practical ability and emotional intelligence was crucial in ensuring the cast could work together to bring this unique production to life.

If you happen to be in Seoul between 19–31 October, make sure you catch Meet Fred at Art Scape 2!

Tickets are available here.

Keep reading for updates & travel pics from the team.

Week 1

It's around 22 hours and 5,584 miles from Hijinx HQ to Wooran Foundation in Seoul, so Ben & Dan were grateful for such a warm and friendly welcome on their arrival. The production team's attention to detail has been extraordinary, and it's clear that lot of care has gone into the fabrication of Fred’s world, from the intricate chalkboard set to the many props and costumes that bring the show to life. It's like stepping into a paralell universe, where everything is familiar, but slightly different.

The pair acclimatised quickly, though jet lag has been unforgiving. Working in a new language—despite the support of an amazing interpreter—has been mentally draining, consuming brain power and energy faster than expected. It's particularly hard to keep a strong connection with home, due to a +8hr time difference, so we are especially grateful for being included in social events with our new friends and colleagues, and it’s starting to feel like one team, built on mutual respect, patience, and hard work.

Having Dan, one of the original creators and the voice of Fred, in the room has been invaluable. He’s passing the torch to the talented puppeteers, particularly Hyun-jin, who’s finding Fred a new voice for this Korean production. With the groundwork complete, Dan returns to the UK.

Week 2

Ben is now navigating things solo. While it’s been an intense experience, strong friendships have already been formed, and the relationships with the cast and crew are solid. Special thanks go to 'Cathy', our incredible translator, whose patience and perfect intuition make the entire process so much smoother. It’s hard to imagine how we’d have kept up without her.

This week also marked the arrival of a new and fascinating aspect of the production: the sign language interpreters. At Wooran Foundation, they are providing support for 8 out of the 10 performances, which is a significant step forward in accessibility for theatre here in Seoul, where it's all just starting to gain momentum. This has been beautifully spearheaded by another familiar face. Wooran commissioned the very same interpreter who supported our English-language performances in Seoul back in 2019. Having worked closely with us before, she already had a deep understanding of the show, which allowed her to envision how it could be enhanced for deaf audiences in this new setting. Her expertise has been invaluable in ensuring that the integration is not just functional but an intrinsic part of the experience.

In this production, each actor is paired with a dedicated interpreter who performs alongside them, translating their every word and action into sign language. This one-on-one dynamic brings a unique depth to the show, creating a richer, more inclusive experience for all our audiences.

This is an incredible luxury, and something we'd rarely (if ever!) get to implement in productions back home. However, it comes with its own unique challenges. Essentially, we’ve doubled our cast size, and the interpreters aren’t just standing by; they’re shadowing their characters on stage, moving with them, becoming part of the action.

There’s a moment in Meet Fred where Fred breaks the fourth wall and tells the audience, "Don’t worry about these guys, they sort of fade into the background after a while"—referring to his puppeteers. Now, Ben’s task is to make the interpreters “fade into the background” too, all while ensuring that their presence enhances accessibility for audience members who need it. Ben has risen to the challenge with his usual playful approach, and while it changes the original production, it adds tender, funny, and charming new layers to the show.

At Wooran Foundation, we’re also working with their associate director, Jason, and his assistant, Young-So. On top of that, the interpreters have their own dedicated director! Even for Hijinx, with our collaborative nature and experience working alongside co-producers and directors, this is a lot of voices in the room. Thankfully, there’s no power struggle—just a lot of creative input, which Ben has handled with grace. Every voice has been heard and respected as we reshape this production to suit our Korean cast and crew.

The puppeteers, who are on stage from beginning to end, have been absolute troopers. They’ve put in long days, even sacrificing public holidays to ensure the show is ready. And by the end of week two, we’re there—a complete run-through of Meet Fred. Ben can finally sleep a little easier (jet lag permitting), feeling like, “We might actually pull this off!”

Week 3

This week Tom, our Production Manager, and Ellis, the Senior Producer, arrived in Seoul. Ben was visibly relieved to have some familiar faces around—company and a bit of home is always a good boost when working abroad for an extended period.

Tom, who has more than 200 Meet Fred performances under his belt, immediately hit the ground running. The technical team at Wooran Foundation is impressively efficient. When Tom arrived, the lighting plan was already pre-rigged, and the set was, of course, in full use. To an outsider, everything looked perfectly in place. But Tom knows Meet Fred like no one else, and there were subtle, essential touches to the sound and lighting that only his expertise could bring out.

Another key aspect was updating the blocking. The company had been rehearsing from archival footage and the script, but Tom has seen the show evolve in ways that can’t always be captured in those materials. Over time, the UK touring cast has introduced small changes—improvements that enhance the pacing or comedic timing—and these were incorporated into the Korean version as well.

However, not everything can be directly transplanted from one production to another. There are local nuances and cultural etiquettes to consider. Some gestures or interactions that seem harmless in the UK could carry different meanings in Korea. This is where Jason, our associate director, and Hyeri, Wooran’s producer, were invaluable. Their insights ensured that the right messages were conveyed, both in terms of cultural relevance and maintaining the heart of the story for a local audience.

One thing we’ve been constantly grateful for is working with such a well-resourced venue. During one of our tech sessions, we counted 28 members of the Wooran team present! Each person has a specific role, and no one steps outside their designated responsibilities. Others always defer to the person in charge of a particular task, creating a seamless, highly efficient workflow. It’s a bit intimidating at times to have so many eyes and hands involved, but the efficiency is undeniable.

The space we’re working in, Art Scape 2 at Wooran’s HQ, is simply beautiful. If you’re curious, you can check it out here: Wooran Foundation Space.