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Play Make-Believe
I provide interactive storytelling, walkabout characters and immersive theatrical experiences for festivals, community events, retail venues and cultural programmes. Based in Hertfordshire, I regularly deliver projects across the UK & Northern Ireland.
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CharactersChildrens EntertainersChildrens MusicEducationalAbout Play Make-Believe
I create high-quality storytelling and character-led experiences that invite children and families to play, imagine and connect. Drawing on my background in theatre, street performance and immersive production, I deliver engaging sessions that combine folklore, humour, audience participation and visually striking costumes to create memorable moments for audiences of all ages.
I specialise in family-friendly programming for festivals, cultural events, shopping centres, libraries and community celebrations, as well as seasonal activations and heritage projects. Wherever possible, costumes and props are sustainably made using upcycled materials and reused elements, reducing waste while maintaining a rich, high-impact visual style.
Clients choose my work because it is professional, inclusive and thoughtfully designed — managing audience flow, encouraging participation from confident and quieter children alike, and creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere that brings spaces to life.
I specialise in family-friendly programming for festivals, cultural events, shopping centres, libraries and community celebrations, as well as seasonal activations and heritage projects. Wherever possible, costumes and props are sustainably made using upcycled materials and reused elements, reducing waste while maintaining a rich, high-impact visual style.
Clients choose my work because it is professional, inclusive and thoughtfully designed — managing audience flow, encouraging participation from confident and quieter children alike, and creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere that brings spaces to life.
Our Story
I began my career in theatre as a performer and storyteller, drawn to work that brings people together through imagination and shared experience. Over time, I found my natural home in street theatre and interactive performance, where stories can reach people who might never step inside a traditional theatre space.
What started as a passion for performing grew into a commitment to creating welcoming, high-quality experiences that make everyone feel included.
My work is inspired by folklore, community traditions and the simple joy of play. I am particularly interested in how storytelling can build confidence in children, encourage connection between generations and transform everyday spaces into places of wonder.
With years of experience delivering events across the UK and Ireland, I combine strong production knowledge with creative design to ensure each experience is engaging, visually distinctive and thoughtfully delivered.
I continue this work because I believe the arts play a vital role in community wellbeing. By creating moments of imagination, warmth and connection, I help audiences feel present, valued and part of something shared.
What started as a passion for performing grew into a commitment to creating welcoming, high-quality experiences that make everyone feel included.
My work is inspired by folklore, community traditions and the simple joy of play. I am particularly interested in how storytelling can build confidence in children, encourage connection between generations and transform everyday spaces into places of wonder.
With years of experience delivering events across the UK and Ireland, I combine strong production knowledge with creative design to ensure each experience is engaging, visually distinctive and thoughtfully delivered.
I continue this work because I believe the arts play a vital role in community wellbeing. By creating moments of imagination, warmth and connection, I help audiences feel present, valued and part of something shared.
Our Team
Play Make-Believe is led by me, Louise Conaghan, a storyteller, theatre maker and producer with a background in street theatre, immersive performance and family audiences. I oversee creative development, client liaison and delivery, ensuring each project is thoughtfully designed, professionally managed and tailored to the needs of the event.
Depending on the scale of the booking, I work with a trusted network of experienced performers, costume makers and production support. This flexible team approach allows for anything from a single character appearance to larger multi-character activations, while maintaining consistent quality, strong visual presentation and a warm, engaging audience experience.
Depending on the scale of the booking, I work with a trusted network of experienced performers, costume makers and production support. This flexible team approach allows for anything from a single character appearance to larger multi-character activations, while maintaining consistent quality, strong visual presentation and a warm, engaging audience experience.
Experience
With over 15 years’ experience in theatre, street performance and live events, I create character-led storytelling experiences that engage families and transform public spaces into places of imagination and connection. My work spans festivals, council programmes, retail environments, heritage sites and community celebrations across the UK and Ireland, combining creative performance with strong production knowledge to ensure each project is both memorable and professionally delivered.
Throughout my career, I have been commissioned to develop performances and creative experiences for both cultural programmes and international brands.
This has included storytelling activations for Tonies® Story Box, Jubilee performances presented for Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, and a theatrical piece supporting Coca-Cola’s Net Zero campaign. I am also commissioned annually by large companies to deliver seasonal audience experiences, and have contributed to projects and activations connected with organisations such as Meta, Notion and the International Advertising Association (IAA).
My work is rooted in community engagement and meaningful storytelling. In Ireland, I wrote and produced an interactive nature trail for Cruinniú na nÓg, introducing children and families to folklore, creativity and environmental awareness through play. In 2024, I contributed to three performances during Little Amal’s visit to Belfast, supporting a programme centred on welcome, inclusion and shared humanity.
This breadth of experience allows me to balance artistic integrity with practical delivery, creating work that is visually distinctive, inclusive and designed to leave audiences feeling connected, uplifted and part of something shared.
This has included storytelling activations for Tonies® Story Box, Jubilee performances presented for Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, and a theatrical piece supporting Coca-Cola’s Net Zero campaign. I am also commissioned annually by large companies to deliver seasonal audience experiences, and have contributed to projects and activations connected with organisations such as Meta, Notion and the International Advertising Association (IAA).
My work is rooted in community engagement and meaningful storytelling. In Ireland, I wrote and produced an interactive nature trail for Cruinniú na nÓg, introducing children and families to folklore, creativity and environmental awareness through play. In 2024, I contributed to three performances during Little Amal’s visit to Belfast, supporting a programme centred on welcome, inclusion and shared humanity.
This breadth of experience allows me to balance artistic integrity with practical delivery, creating work that is visually distinctive, inclusive and designed to leave audiences feeling connected, uplifted and part of something shared.
Typical Clients
I work with councils, festivals, cultural organisations, shopping centres, libraries and event producers who want to create engaging, family-friendly experiences. My work is well suited to seasonal events, heritage and arts programmes, community celebrations, retail activations and outdoor public events.
I also collaborate with event agencies and venue teams seeking high-quality, reliable entertainment that enhances visitor experience, encourages dwell time and creates memorable, shareable moments for audiences of all ages.
I also collaborate with event agencies and venue teams seeking high-quality, reliable entertainment that enhances visitor experience, encourages dwell time and creates memorable, shareable moments for audiences of all ages.
Credentials
I am a member of Equity and actively engaged with professional networks including Assetij, Theatre and Dance NI (TDNI), Theatre and Youth Arts Ireland (TYAI) and Green Arts NI. I hold a BA Hons degree in Theatre and have trained with In Your Space Circus (Northern Ireland), The Actor’s Space in Barcelona and Tinderbox Theatre Companies - Play Machine, experiences that continue to inform my physical performance style, audience engagement and collaborative practice.
I can provide full Public Liability Insurance, risk assessments and compliance documentation for all engagements, and I am experienced in working to safeguarding, accessibility and health and safety requirements. Alongside my performance work, I bring many years of facilitation and youth work experience, enabling me to create inclusive, well-managed environments where children, families and communities feel safe, welcomed and confident to participate.
I can provide full Public Liability Insurance, risk assessments and compliance documentation for all engagements, and I am experienced in working to safeguarding, accessibility and health and safety requirements. Alongside my performance work, I bring many years of facilitation and youth work experience, enabling me to create inclusive, well-managed environments where children, families and communities feel safe, welcomed and confident to participate.
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