Goth Girl author Chris Riddell delights kids with readings at Half Moon theatre

Award-winning children’s author and illustrator Chris Riddell delighted primary schoolkids during the first family fun-day organised by the Half Moon Young People’s Theatre in London’s East End since completing its £1 million makeover.

Drama workshop for youngsters at the Half Moon theatre - Credit: Archant

He read from his books and signed copies at a pop-up bookshop in the theatre foyer run by Victoria Park Books.

Riddell has penned many children’s stories, such as the Ottoline and the Alienography series, but more recently the award-winning Goth Girl and the Ghost of a Mouse. He has also won a Unesco Prize for Children’s Literature for Tolerance.

Events at the Half Moon also included puppet-making workshops and an art workshop with east London artist Ross Head who exhibited her striking collection of drawings, prints and paintings.

The Folded Feather theatre company also put on a puppetry display.

The newly-refurbished children’s theatre housed in the ornate mid-Victorian Limehouse Board of Works municipal building in White Horse Road, off Commercial Road, has now fixed its leaky roof, chipped plasterwork and weather-worn stonework.

The renovations were paid for by the Arts Council lottery, the City Bridge Trust and foundations such as Foyle, Clothworkers’ and Wolfson—and a seven-year-old girl donating her pocket money.