Remarkable stories of courage and kindness in a spectacular and moving, new ballad drama, with unforgettable live music and stunning puppetry
Dogwood Productions’ new show, The Quiet Work, touring Lincolnshire extensively from February 2027 in collaboration with Boston’s Blackfriars Theatre, will bring remarkable true stories of courage and kindness to the stage. A moving ballad drama, rich with live music and striking puppetry from rising national talents, the production tells how one woman stepped beyond the limits set for her in the early twentieth century.
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At its heart stands Dora Walker: tenth child of a wealthy Yorkshire family, among the first women to hold a driving licence or take to the air. A trained nurse, she followed her brothers to the First World War front, defied orders to keep clear of danger, bought an ambulance, and served near the line beside Elisabeth of Bavaria, Queen of the Belgians.
In peacetime she worked with the poorest families of the East End. Later, after ill health sent her to the coast, she persuaded a Whitby fishing boat to take her on, proved her skill, and had her own boat built — becoming the first woman to skipper a North Sea fishing boat. Through the Second World War she guided others through mined waters, fishing with a pistol at her belt.
Her legacy still speaks to women making their living on and by the sea, whose experiences will echo through this new production from the award-winning company.
An inspiration for the generations.
World War One ambulance driver.
First woman skipper of a North Sea fishing boat.
And that's just the beginning…
Before permission. Before precedent. She flew when women didn’t. Drove when they shouldn’t.
That'll be Dora.
Dora Walker.
LEAD PUPPETEER: ROBBIE BELLEKOM
Robbie trained at East 15 Drama School and with a Master’s in creative writing from the University of Hull, Robbie has toured nationally as a performer, appeared in feature films and on television, as well as co-writing previous Dogwood productions.
Robbie trained as a puppeteer with The Curious School of Puppetry with credits including Pinocchio (Norwich Puppet Theatre), Sarah and Duck (CBBC/MEI Entertainment), When Seagulls Save the World (Brave Biscuit Studios) and as lead puppeteer in over 500 performances of David Walliams’ Awful Auntie for the Birmingham Stage Company.
Robbie has been commissioned to create innovative, large scale puppets for processions and theatre productions and was recently Artist In Residence at the National Civil War Centre.
Blackfriars Theatre is proud to be working in partnership with Dogwood Productions to help bring The Quiet Work to audiences across Lincolnshire. We’re delighted to be supporting this exciting new production, from its development and rehearsal through to workshops, touring activity and its performance here at Blackfriars.
Dogwood Productions has a strong reputation for creating new work for theatres, arts centres and community venues, and we’re thrilled to be part of the journey as Dora Walker’s remarkable story is brought to the stage through live music, puppetry and new writing.
Blackfriars Theatre is proud to be an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation.
This support helps make The Quiet Work possible, enabling Dogwood Productions and Blackfriars Theatre to develop and share an ambitious new production with audiences across Lincolnshire, alongside workshops and creative activity inspired by Dora Walker’s remarkable story.
