Case Study:
Captain Wonderweb & The Esteem Machine

A Touring Mental Health Experience

A narrative-led theatre production developed in partnership with the NHS to support children’s emotional literacy and self-esteem.

Captain Wonderweb and the Esteem Machine combined character-led storytelling, audience interaction and purpose-built stage design to create an accessible mental health intervention for primary schools.

- My ROLE -

Production Designer, Creative Lead and Reporting Consultant

Mental Health for the Masses

A touring children’s theatre production developed in partnership with the NHS to support emotional wellbeing in primary schools.

My contribution focused on the design and construction of the central scenic prop, the Esteem Machine, and on post-delivery reporting that supported contract renewal.

- The challenge -

The Four Rules

To create a visually engaging centrepiece that could function as both narrative device and durable touring prop.

The design needed to withstand repeated assembly, transport and school hall environments while supporting the emotional themes of the show.

Alongside this, delivery outcomes needed to be clearly documented for NHS stakeholders to secure continued funding.

- The approach -

Prop as Narrative Device

I designed and built the Esteem Machine as the visual and thematic core of the production.

Rather than serving as decorative scenery, the machine embodied the emotional journey of the story. Its design reflected the characters’ relationship to self-worth and internal dialogue, allowing abstract ideas to be expressed through a tangible object.

Form, colour and mechanical interaction were developed to reinforce the show’s themes while remaining safe, portable and robust for touring use.

Touring Practicality

The structure was built to a defined scope and budget, with careful consideration given to transport, storage and repeated installation.

Durability and consistency were prioritised to ensure the machine maintained its impact across multiple venues.

Reporting And Evaluation

Following delivery, I produced structured evaluation reports for the NHS outlining reach, engagement and qualitative impact.

These reports translated creative outcomes into measurable insights for stakeholders and directly supported three consecutive contract renewals.

- The OUTCOME -

Durable Touring Asset

The Esteem Machine became the visual anchor of the production, supporting consistent delivery across school settings.

Contract Continuity

Clear and structured reporting contributed to three successive NHS renewals, extending the project’s lifespan and reach.

Design as Communication

The project demonstrated how physical design can support narrative clarity, and how creative work can be translated into language suitable for public-sector evaluation.