Sweet Caroline and the Football Boots is an interactive, music-led performance for children (aged approx. 3-8) and their families.

Sweet Caroline and the Football Boots is the story of Caroline Sweet, a small girl who loves football and who builds an unlikely friendship with her older neighbour, Mrs Petri, who also always wanted to be a footballer. It’s about discovering your talent, overcoming stereotypes and having confidence in yourself, with a fun, uplifting message for a young audience.

Sweet Caroline is performed and written by musicians Ashleigh Lowes and Paige Temperley.

SWEET CAROLINE IN SUNDERLAND

Sweet Caroline was developed in 2023, as part of Cultural Spring’s Bitesize programme. The content of the script and songs was developed through 10 participation sessions with young female footballers at North East Sport, Foundation of Light, Washington Football Hub and Hetton Primary School. We also held story-gathering sessions with older women from Sunderland at Back on the Map and Fulwell Community Library. The final piece performed at 5 Sunderland locations in April.

SWEET CAROLINE IN SOUTH TYNESIDE

In 2024, we were re-commissioned by Cultural Spring’s Bitesize programme to develop Sweet Caroline for South Tyneside audiences. This time, we worked alongside several schools and girls football groups in South Tyneside, and older women through U3A. We also collaborated with director, Abigail Lawson to restage the piece and produce schools resources. Sweet Caroline was performed at Brinkburn CIO, Valley View Primary School, Perth Green Community Association and Hebburn Sports Ground in October and November 2024, and it was a huge success!