The outdoor theatre performance The Hatchling is now taking place in Plymouth on 28 and 29 August 2021 after being postponed as a mark of respect to the community and families involved in the tragic incident in Keyham on 12 August. It is hoped the event will bring the city together in a moment of unity and hope.
Event producers Trigger, Plymouth City Council and Arts Council England are working in close collaboration to stage the performance, made possible by the extraordinary effort of hundreds of cast members and local community groups.
The dragon will hatch in the late morning on Saturday 28 August and explore the city. During the weekend performance there will be moments of reflection, including a lullaby sung to The Hatchling by Plymouth acappella group The Lost Sound, accompanied by a parade of lanterns made by local volunteering group Nudge Community Builders.
On Sunday evening, The Hatchling will undergo a transformation from puppet to kite on the Hoe. She will then take flight from the coast and across the water of Plymouth Sound, lit by spotlights and accompanied by choral music, in an uplifting symbol of freedom.
The Lost Sound said: “We have been working on original music for The Hatchling for the last two months. It is a challenging piece and we want to rise to that challenge - to sing a lullaby of hope, of compassion, and for freedom. This piece has never been more apt for the time and it feels important to be able to sing it for Plymouth.
“The Hatchling has enabled our different communities to come together to create, which is a powerful metaphor and, although we can't all be at this new date, our choir will make an appearance to sing, to show respect, to hope we can build a better future for our city. Projects like The Hatchling build communities across divides and we get to be a part of something so much bigger than ourselves. We are very proud to be part of this event.”
Angie Bual, Artistic Director of Trigger, said: “From the messages we have received since the postponement, it's clear that there is a desire to come together in a moment of unity as a community. We hope The Hatchling will be a chance for the city to share something positive.”
Charles Hackett, Chief Executive of Mayflower 400, said: “The Hatchling will bring something thoughtful and beautiful to our city, bringing people together at a time when we really need it. We are incredibly grateful to Arts Council England and to Plymouth City Council for their rapid and vital support to enable Trigger to reschedule this event, which they and many partners have been working on for years as part of the Mayflower 400 cultural programme.”
The rescheduled event has only been made possible thanks to Arts Council England’s support.
Darren Henley, Chief Executive Officer, Arts Council England, said: “Over the last few years, we have witnessed the time, effort and passion that has been expended by the production team, the performers, and the city’s community groups in the development of The Hatchling, and we are proud to be able to support Trigger and Plymouth City Council in rescheduling this extraordinary event for the bank holiday weekend.
“At Arts Council England, we believe in the power of creativity and culture to transform people’s lives: to delight us, to give comfort, and to bring communities together. Following the tragic events that unfolded in Keyham last week, the decision to postpone the staging of The Hatchling was undoubtedly the right one, but we echo Trigger’s and Plymouth City Council’s belief that this uplifting event will go some way towards helping to unite the people of Plymouth in a moment of solidarity and hope.”
For more information and details, please see thehatchling.co.uk or visitplymouth.co.uk.