World Premiere of Quentin Blake’s ‘Mrs Armitage on Wheels’ to take place at Southbank Centre, February 2026

Quentin Blake’s Mrs Armitage on Wheels is being adapted for the stage. This world premiere production is on sale now as part of Southbank Centre’s ‘Imagine’, from 18-21 February 2026. Directed and adapted by Samantha Lane, artistic director of the award-winning Little Angel Theatre, this brand-new musical adaptation of the award-winning BBC animated series Quentin Blake’s Box Of Treasures features a treasure trove of clever puppetry and original live music.

Samantha Lane said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be adapting and directing Mrs Armitage on Wheels for the stage. It’s such a joyful, imaginative story – full of heart, humour, and the boundless possibilities of creativity. Mrs Armitage’s world is wonderfully eccentric yet deeply human, and I can’t wait to bring her spirit of inventiveness and togetherness to life in a production that celebrates her generosity, resilience, and sheer love of making marvellous things.”

Celebrating the power of imagination and the importance of community, Mrs Armitage is a brilliant and eccentric inventor whose wild and wonderful creations are always remarkably useful. When she and her faithful dog Breakspear set off on a quiet bike ride to visit cousin Angela, she can’t stop thinking of ways to improve her bike. But after adding horns, snack trays, umbrellas, a dog bed, even a sail, will she ever get there?

The full creative team includes Jessie Maryon Davies (Music and Lyrics) Ryan Dawson Laight (Set and Costume Design), Maia Kirkman-Richards (Puppetry Design and Director), and Ian Oakley (Sound Designer).

Quentin Blake’s Mrs Armitage on Wheels will be at Southbank Centre 18-21 February 2026. Tickets are on sale from £20. Visit mrsarmitage.live for more information.

Mrs Armitage, Image supplied