Fashion designer extraordinaire "Ze Emperor" is on a ruthless rise to the top of Berlin’s fashion scene, but when his latest collection falls flat, he is in desperate need of something new. Rumours of a cutting-edge fabric, spearheaded by an innovative Parisian duo, may be just what Ze Emperor needs to save his reputation and claw his way back to global fashion domination!
Featuring larger-than-life characters, a feel-good soundtrack and lots of silly jokes, Baby Lamb Productions brings you a tongue-in-cheek adaptation of The Emperor’s New Clothes, transplanted to the dog-eat-dog world of 21st century high fashion.
Following sell-out runs at the Bread & Roses Theatre and The Canal Cafe Theatre, and after becoming OFFIE-finalists in 2023, Baby Lamb Productions is thrilled to bring EXPÖSED to new audiences.
We caught up with director Hannah McLeod to learn more.
Hannah, what inspired the adaptation of this classic tale into a contemporary fashion context?
We saw a lot of comedic potential in the Emperor's New Clothes story, both in the obvious (spoiler alert: he gets his kit off) and in the absolutely relentless yes-manning from everyone in a desperate bid to appease the buffoon in charge. We wanted to find a specific contemporary world where everyone agreeing on one thing makes it true, without making the show overtly political. The fashion world not only fit this perfectly, but also allowed for lots of big silly costumes, so we ran with it!
We saw a lot of comedic potential in the Emperor's New Clothes story, both in the obvious (spoiler alert: he gets his kit off) and in the absolutely relentless yes-manning from everyone in a desperate bid to appease the buffoon in charge. We wanted to find a specific contemporary world where everyone agreeing on one thing makes it true, without making the show overtly political. The fashion world not only fit this perfectly, but also allowed for lots of big silly costumes, so we ran with it!
You've described the production as packed with "larger-than-life characters." Can you give us a sneak peek into what makes these characters so memorable?
We gave ourselves license to go as big as possible, so everything about these characters are heightened and super high energy. The only character in this show who approaches normality is Maureen, who is kind of the way in for the audience, and often the butt of the joke! Most of the cast play multiple characters, which also allows us as performers to push into extremes. Mostly two characters played by the same actor are complete opposites in every way.
We gave ourselves license to go as big as possible, so everything about these characters are heightened and super high energy. The only character in this show who approaches normality is Maureen, who is kind of the way in for the audience, and often the butt of the joke! Most of the cast play multiple characters, which also allows us as performers to push into extremes. Mostly two characters played by the same actor are complete opposites in every way.
The soundtrack is also an interesting element. What role does music play in conveying the story?
Every piece of music in this show is an extension of a joke. So not only does the soundtrack help to keep energy up, it also regularly gets its own laughs, which is fun!
Every piece of music in this show is an extension of a joke. So not only does the soundtrack help to keep energy up, it also regularly gets its own laughs, which is fun!
After sell-out runs at the Bread & Roses Theatre and The Canal Cafe Theatre. Have you approached anything differently with this run?
The big aim of our tour was to take this show to new audiences - we've already completed the first leg in Bristol, which was also completely sold out, and were absolutely blown away by the response from the audiences there. Besides that, every time we've worked on this show we've improved it, adding more jokes, tightening things up, tweaking and perfecting, and this really is the best it has ever been. And it has two new cast members - Ashok Gupta and Nicholas Alexander - both bringing absolutely hilarious new takes on their characters, and a whole new burst of energy to the show.
The big aim of our tour was to take this show to new audiences - we've already completed the first leg in Bristol, which was also completely sold out, and were absolutely blown away by the response from the audiences there. Besides that, every time we've worked on this show we've improved it, adding more jokes, tightening things up, tweaking and perfecting, and this really is the best it has ever been. And it has two new cast members - Ashok Gupta and Nicholas Alexander - both bringing absolutely hilarious new takes on their characters, and a whole new burst of energy to the show.
What was the first piece of theatre you remember having a big impact on you?
My parents took me to see Beauty and the Beast when I was very young. I was completely mesmerised, and the second we got home I demanded paper and pens to draw all the characters. I was pretty much obsessed with theatre from then on. My parents still have that drawing framed on their wall, proudly entitled 'Buty and the Best".
My parents took me to see Beauty and the Beast when I was very young. I was completely mesmerised, and the second we got home I demanded paper and pens to draw all the characters. I was pretty much obsessed with theatre from then on. My parents still have that drawing framed on their wall, proudly entitled 'Buty and the Best".
What keeps you inspired?
I find improvisation really helpful in that way. Being spontaneous, and running with any and all ideas that come - it's very freeing, and often creates brilliant material that would never have been thought of typing away at a laptop. We created this show largely through improv, actually. We decided what needed to happen in which scene, and improvised around it. It's a great way to generate lots of jokes and dialogue really quickly, and then that can all be distilled down to something useable!
I find improvisation really helpful in that way. Being spontaneous, and running with any and all ideas that come - it's very freeing, and often creates brilliant material that would never have been thought of typing away at a laptop. We created this show largely through improv, actually. We decided what needed to happen in which scene, and improvised around it. It's a great way to generate lots of jokes and dialogue really quickly, and then that can all be distilled down to something useable!
What do you hope is the lasting takeaway for your audience?
Theatre is a brilliant tool for making people think, starting discussions, handling difficult subjects in accessible and sensitive ways... and it can also just be fun. This show is theatre as entertainment, pure and simple, so we hope audiences come away from the show having had a bloody good time!
Theatre is a brilliant tool for making people think, starting discussions, handling difficult subjects in accessible and sensitive ways... and it can also just be fun. This show is theatre as entertainment, pure and simple, so we hope audiences come away from the show having had a bloody good time!
EXPÖSED plays at Accidental Theatre in Belfast on 6th and 7th February and at The Lion and Unicorn Theatre in London from 17th to 21st February 2026. For tickets and more information visit https://babylambproductions.com/
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