New story from ‘£1m poet’ emerges despite lockdown
BBC 6 Music poet in residence Murray Lachlan Young and theatre maker Nina Hajiyianni were due to tour their family show The Mystery of the Raddlesham Mumps.
Of course lockdown had other ideas so like many artists Murray, Nina and the Funnelwick Limb team had to rethink.
They have been working throughout lockdown on their new project The Chronicles Of Atom And Luna, the first two chronicles of which are available now to enjoy free of charge online at funnelwicklimb.com site.
For the new project Murray reunited with school pal Paul hartnoll to create six audio tales – with illustrations by Bek Palmer – and a groundbreaking Augmented reality story game for families, Quest for Old Mother Redbeard made with MBD Ltd.
The story centres around heroes 11-year-old twins Atom and Luna who are left home alone in the care of their magical childminder Iffly Sney.
When Iffly falls terribly ill, only the twins can save him by seeking out the mysterious Old Mother Redbeard in the heart of a magical forest.
A journey that will change their lives forever!
Chronicle One – the audio tales – tells the backstory of the magical forest that Atom and Luna must travel through, while Chronicle Two – the interactive AR – allows players to explore the forest in search of Old Mother Redbeard.
Murray Lachlan Young said: ‘During The Mystery of the Raddlesham Mumps my fellow performer Joe Allen would constantly play Pokemon Go!
“While on tour I became fascinated with the potential of this technology as a storytelling tool. As a result The Quest for Old Mother Redbeard – a kind of traditional storytelling ballad told in the form of an AR game where players get to go ahead of our heroes into a mystical forest – was born.
“Ultimately I am interested in inspiring in young people a love of language, of storytelling, of rhyme and rhythm and what better way to do that then by using tech.”
Murray’s first collection was released by EMI on both CD and book form, leading to him being dubbed “the £1m poet”.
Murray has experimented and collaborated in a wide range of digital media. Over lockdown with Hartnoll he has been releasing a series of Virus Diaries online extolling the virtues of baking, jogging and shopping.
Other recent – more experimental online work includes Community of Souls his collaboration with filmmaker Charlotte Ginsberg for Poet in the City and City of Things his collaboration with Ivor Novello nominated sound artist Caroline Devine in celebration of Milton Keynes.
With film director Kevin Allen he co-adopted the 2015 film version of Dylan Thomas
Under Milk Wood and his previous collaboration with the Atom & Luna team – The Mystery of the Raddlesham Mumps used VR, tablet games and online audio to tell a family orientated gothic murder mystery.
Paul Hartnoll – one half of electronic music giants Orbital – has innovated and explored the use of technology in his music crafting some of the most innovative, imaginative and accessible dance music ever.
He has scored Peaky Blinders, the opening sequence of the Brian Cox Arena Tour and has scored the film Concrete Plans.
Quest for Old Mother Redbeard has been commissioned by The Space – a unique digital development agency supported by Arts Council England.
To find out more about the story sign up at www.funnelwicklimb.com site.