Paula Stephens - Founder /Actor/ Writer

Paula Stephens is the founder and director of The Orange Hat. She trained for three years at the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and spent a further three years as an actor with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Paula has toured extensively with the Royal Shakespeare Company performing in Japan, London and Stratford upon Avon, working with leading directors Adrian Noble, Greg Doran and Yukio Ninagawa. Paula has also worked as a performer for the BBC, ITV, Nitrate Films, BBC Radio, Wonderful Beast Theatre, regional theatres and theatre in education. Albums to date include: The Orange Hat Musical Adventure (vocalist and co-composer) and the RSCs The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe Original Cast Recording (vocalist).

The Orange Hat was established in 2007, and is now found throughout Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire, delivering quality workshops, classes and shows to pre-school children. Paula has written and performed a number of one-woman shows including The Lost Reindeer, Peggotty’s Easter Adventure and Holiday Hullabaloo.

Paula is an experienced actor, singer and storyteller, specializing in the pre-school age group.

Peggotty the Hen - Creative Director

Peggotty grew up in a bohemian family on a large farm bordering Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire. Her love of music started at a very early age when her grandmother brought her a tin whistle from a traveling fairground. Her greatest inspirations are her mother Doreen, an exquisite cellist, and her singing teacher, Dame Flora Delaware  - an exceptional soprano, and leading Hen in her field.