Colossal mechanical miner Man Engine to tour Wales
THE largest mechanical puppet ever constructed in Britain will go on a short tour of Wales next year.
Man Engine resembles a giant miner and will visit eight of south Wales’ most important industrial heritage locations for a week of celebrations in April 2018.
Launched in 2016 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Cornish Mining World Heritage site, the giant sculpture was seen by almost 150,000 people in 10 days after it was unveiled.
Now it’s heading back on the road for the Resurrection Tour in partnership with venues across Wales, including Swansea University, Cadw, National Museum Wales, Head 4 Arts and five local authorities.
The aim of the tour is to highlight the legacy of Wales’ historic mining communities with visits to places like Big Pit, in Blaenavon.
The team behind the Man Engine, Golden Tree Productions, are already creating a bespoke experience for the 11.2m-tall puppet’s Welsh expedition – set to include theatrical shows, live music and story-telling.
The 2018 tour announcement comes after the Man Engine was named the nation’s favourite arts project at the 2017 National Lottery Awards.
During his Welsh journey from Blaenavon to Swansea Bay he will be animated by a team of more than a dozen “miners”.
Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure Ken Skates said: “Iron, copper and coal once formed the heart of the south Wales Valleys and the arrival of the Man Engine in Wales marks a unique chance for the modern Welsh public to reflect and bring this mining heritage alive.
“The Industrial Revolution is a vital part of Welsh history and it’s more important than ever to remember the people and the places that brought it to life. This type of innovative tourism development gives people compelling reasons to visit the south Wales Valleys and is reflective of the way that the Valleys Taskforce is working with communities to develop the area’s tourism offer.”
Will Coleman, the creator of the Man Engine, said: “We have a global ambition to take the Man Engine to all the significant mining and industrial heritage sites across the world, so bringing him to south Wales with its major industrial heritage status is an ideal stop on his UK-wide journey.”
The Man Engine will visit Big Pit National Coal Museum and Blaenavon Ironworks on Sunday, April 8; Ebbw Vale Steelworks on Monday, April 9; Cyfarthfa Park and Castle in Merthyr Tydfil on Tuesday, April 10; Ynysangharad War Memorial Park, Pontypridd, on Wednesday, April 11, and National Waterfront Museum, Hafod-Morfa Copperworks and Swansea city centre on Thursday, April 12. Advanced bookings will be taken from January at www.themanengine.co.uk