Ruth Berkoff
Runner Up for Best Newcomer and Best New Writing at Greater Manchester Fringe 2024.
The Beauty of Being Herd is a funny, tender, quirky tale with original songs, comedy and heart.
Hannah is waving goodbye to life as she knows it to live instead as a sheep.
Join her for frolics, sheep facts and awkward moments at parties.
This is a play for anyone who has ever felt like an outsider.
Ruth Berkoff trained in contemporary circus at Circomedia, Bristol and in theatre and clown at Ecole Philippe Gaulier, France. As an ex-Samaritan, Ruth cares strongly about people feeling understood. As a four-time pantomime dame, she cares immensely about people having the times of their lives at the theatre.
In a time when people are more disconnected and lonelier than ever, this show is one hour of coming together and being part of something together.
Age guide: 16+
Content warning: reference to non-consensual touch
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Reviews
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Warm hearted and empathic. Hugely entertaining
British Theatre Guide
*CAUTION - review contains spoilers!!*
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Bizarre, bonkers and beautiful – I loved it!
5*****
Fairypowered Productions
A beautifully balanced performance that veers from funny to tender and painfully honest
Reviews Hub North West
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Undoubtedly joyous and uplifting
The Bradfordian
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I loved this clever, funny, moving show. It was brilliantly produced and written. And I think everyone will find themselves being a little bit kinder after seeing it.
Lisa Holdsworth (TV and theatre writer)
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Drama at its best
JM Hall (novelist and radio writer)
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YOU HAVE TO SEE THIS. No spoiler alerts, I want to see how you'll see it. It's one of those shows that seems to be light and fluffy but then you are waking up at night and think more, because you realised there was a twist in the twist!
Audience feedback
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It reduced me to tear and made me laugh and smile so much my cheeks hurt
Audience feedback
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Brilliant! Go see it! Emotional rollercoaster!
Audience feedback
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Trailer
Creative team:
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Writer / performer: Ruth Berkoff
Dramaturg / director: Georgia Murphy
Sound designer: Isolde Freeth-Hale
Movement adviser: Izzy Brittain
Two week residency thanks to: Volcano Theatre, Swansea
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Other collaborators: Alice Robinson, Natalie Bellingham, Performers Playground, Gorse Hill Studios, Leah Francis, Kath Burlinson, Michael Siegel, Emma Leah Golding, Rachael Halliwell
A sneaky peek into the devising process.
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This is where the show's anthem, The Thing About Sheep, was born, back in May 2023.
It's now a finished song, complete with sheep synth backing track.
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If you learn the lyrics, it MIGHT come in handy at the show...
Upcoming Tour Dates:​​​
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MARCH 2025
Camden, London (date and venue TBA)
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MAY 2025​
BRIGHTON FRINGE - Presuming Ed (Half a Camel), London Road
Friday 2nd May, 19:45
Saturday 3rd May, 17:15
Saturday 24th May, 19:45
Sunday 25th, 17:15
