John Wassell Co-founder and Creative Producer Mariel Bunnage - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Ironbridge River Festival John Wassell – Co-founder and Creative Producer Mariel Bunnage – Production Coordinator

Walk the Plank Outdoor arts experts • Artists, theatremakers, • Won Best Outdoor pyrotechnicians, Event 2014 at the Event inventors and event Awards for Return of engineers Colmcille • Based in Manchester, • Registered charity and UK part of the Arts Council England’s National Portfolio • Nearly 25 years’ experience delivering productions and events on a regional, national and international scale The Fitzcaraldo, Britain's first theatre ship 2 2

Our History Outdoor arts experts • UK’s only touring theatre ship taking shows around UK for 16 years • Firework finales in every port & harbour led to experience of making shows on water and in unusual locations... In docks, harbours, rivers and canals • Led to more commissions in – difficult city centre locations – heritage sites and new buildings • Led to Commonwealth Games Closing in Manchester The Fitzcaraldo, Britain's first theatre ship 3 3

4 Commonwealth Games Closing Ceremony, 2002

What we do Outdoor arts experts – Our site-responsive events are designed to encourage a sense of place, a feeling of pride and well-being . – Engage people as participants in the process of making work, as well as spectators in final result. – Work with local people to develop story ideas that resonate with the audience in each location Rowers and participants, Ar Waith Ar Daith, 2015 5 5

6 Ar Waith Ar Daith, celebrating Wales Millennium Centre’s tenth Anniversary, 2015

7 Ar Waith Ar Daith, celebrating Wales Millennium Centre’s tenth Anniversary, 2015

8 Ar Waith Ar Daith, celebrating Wales Millennium Centre’s tenth Anniversary, 2015

9 Capital of Culture Opening Ceremony, 2011

10 The Return of Colmcille, UK City of Culture 2013 Derry~Londonderry

The Return of Colmcille, Showdown on the Foyle, UK City of Culture 2013 Derry~Londonderry , Creative proposal Fiery river procession spectacular • Water procession of fiery, illuminated and pyro boats, provided by both Ironbridge and by Walk the Plank. • Illuminated spinning coracles, exciting fiery canoes blasting out flames, colourful rowing boats carrying musicians, fiery pirate ship and fireworks will set the River Severn ablaze with colour and light. • The procession will celebrate the river’s heritage, and could include the illumination and decoration of local boats and coracles 11

The Aquatic Procession

Illuminated Canoes • Local canoeists joining the river procession are illuminated with colour changing lights, creating beautiful reflections on the River Severn. • Walk the Plank canoes are ablaze at each end and fire out pyrotechnics. 13

A Wave at Picasso, commissioned by TATE Liverpool, 2010 14

Sound to Sea, Glasgow, 2014 15

Coracles • Walk the Plank envisages working with the Ironbridge Coracle Society to bring local coracles in to the parade. They would be brought to life with lights around the rim and the paddlers would also be illuminated. • Walk the Plank would also provide coracles that would be animated with spinning moments and pyrotechnics . • Special spherical coracles provided by Walk the Plank would spin along the water, illuminated with colour- changing lights. The Urchin

Fiery Rowing Boats • Local rowing boats could be illuminated with colour changing lights. • Sea rowing boats would be illuminated and carrying gas flames , they might also carry a performer or musicians. Welsh Rowers enter Cardiff Bay for Ar Waith Ar Daith, celebrating the 10 th Anniversary of Wales Millennium Centre

18 A Wave at Picasso, commissioned by TATE Liverpool, 2010

Severn Trow Pirate Ship This would be illuminated and might have flames and a band or PA on board. A Wave at Picasso, commissioned by TATE Liverpool, 2010

Pyro Boat The Pyro Boat would be rigged with our dynamic flame system and pyrotechnics Bridges Festival, Newcastle, 2012