A 4-metre-tall puppet tells a moving tale through dance, movement and masterful puppeteering
As part of Ocean’s Awareness Week and raising awareness of the climate crisis, on Sunday 31st July inSwindon BID Co. and the Wyvern Theatre will welcome ‘Out of the Deep Blue’ to the Town Centre. A large-scale outdoor performance featuring a 4-metre-tall sea giant puppet and a contemporary dancer, inspired by the themes of the climate emergency and biodiversity crisis.
Created by Autin Dance Theatre, this physical theatre performance features a gigantic Puppet operated by 5 world-class puppeteers and a contemporary dancer. The spectacle is designed specifically for family and festival audiences and tells the magical story of Eko, a sea giant who rises from the deep ocean and who encounters, on the shore, a courageous little girl called Violet – a story about the power of empathy and collaboration between these two beings - an ancient creature, a dispirited teen.
Three performances will take place throughout the day.
Starting Times from Wyvern Theatre: 11.30, 14,00 & 16.00
‘Out of the Deep Blue’ exists as a two-part performance:
A promenade starting at Wyvern Theatre, Theatre Square, where Eko the Sea Giant will make his way along Regent Street and Canal Walk, interacting with the environment and his audience as he heads to Wharf Green for his 25-minute dance theatre duet.
Laura James, Theatre Director for Wyvern Theatre, says, ‘We are thrilled to be partnering with InSwindon BID on this project and are hugely grateful for their support, allowing us to bring the fantastic Out Of The Deep Blue right to the heart of Swindon. This will be a completely unique spectacle and something that families and individuals in our community can engage with and enjoy free of charge and without having to travel out of town. It’s a real opportunity to experience live theatre on your doorstep!’
Alongside the performances, there will be craft activities at the crossroads, by the fountain provided by Prime Theatre and Artsite for all the family using recycled materials to make your own monster.
inSwindon BID Co. Director, Anita Bellinger says, “It is wonderful to work in partnership with our ever-inspiring Wyvern Theatre to bring accessible, live theatre to the heart of the Town Centre. Not only will this be an amazingly vibrant festival experience for the community to enjoy, free of charge, but it raises awareness of the very important issue of the climate crisis. Particularly relevant locally now that the Council have passed the much-needed climate emergency motion.”
Created in 2021, ‘Out of the Deep Blue’ has toured extensively in summer/autumn 2021 across the UK. Pre-recorded Audio Description available including audio notes prior to live performances and streamed AD in vernacular English.
Editor’s notes:
Autin Dance Theatre
An innovative and interdisciplinary touring dance theatre company based in Birmingham (UK), established since 2013 under the helm of Director/Choreographer Johnny Autin. The Company is a collaborative and project-based arts organisation that produces engaging artistic performances in a myriad of settings (theatres, outdoors and unusual spaces) and provides extensive learning & participation programmes with a wide range of local communities. AutinDT’s mission is to inspire, educate and instigate positive social changes by delivering world-class multi-disciplinary arts activities. Since 2013, we have built a strong reputation for our work internationally with highly acclaimed productions including A Posi+ive Life, Queer Words, Dystopia, Pathos and Square One.
InSwindon BID is a not-for-profit company.
Business Improvement District (BID) is a business-led and business funded body formed to improve a defined commercial area. The company was created to provide additional services or improvements to a local area, encourage commercial growth, represent and respond to the interests and needs of businesses, and develop projects for the good of the area and community.
Wyvern Theatre
The Wyvern Theatre is Wiltshire's largest theatre with 635 seats in its auditorium. The theatre diary offers a mixed programme of concerts, comedy, dance, drama, musical theatre, local amateur productions, and Wiltshire’s most popular pantomime. Along with a wide variety of special dining events, community-based projects and workshops.
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