Puppet walks tall as part of coast’s epic tale
The 16ft character at the centre of Survivor performance has been unveiled
The 16ft puppet at the centre of the Survivor project has been unveiled and it can be seen in Scarborough this weekend. The epic story is part of the Odyssey project which has been brought to life on film and as an audio app, featuring more than 500 members of the resident and business community.
It showcases the people and voices of the Yorkshire Coast which positions the Odyssey as one of the biggest event series taking place in a coastal area.
Staintondale-based Animated Objects, known for large-scale events with largerthan-life puppets and lantern parades, unveiled the gigantic character which needed lifting machinery to stand up.
It brings to life the story of a survivor of conflict in the Trojan Wars. She starts her journey washed up on a shore unfamiliar to her. She is lost; frightened and alone.
The project welcomes her in each town with artworks, music and spoken word as she arrives. She will then be taken on a tour through coastal towns to explore her surroundings and offered shelter along the journey.
The visual performance tells the tale of the Survivor, a teenage girl displaced by war and conflict.
The Survivor will be visiting Bridlington, South Bay, on Friday May 6 and Scarborough South Bay on Saturday May 7.
Speaking of the Yorkshire Coast BID’s involvement in the project, Kerry Carruthers, chief executive, said, “The scale of this project and the public involvement led by Animated Objects is what brings this to life.
“This event series would not have been possible without the many hundreds of residents, businesses and community organisations taking this to their hearts. It makes Homer’s Odyssey feel as if it always had the Yorkshire Coast in mind.
“It has been fantastic to be involved with such a creative project and see it come to life over the last three years. We’re going to be documenting the journey with behind-the-scenes footage and filming snippets of the activity to show the scale and hard work that has gone into this project.”
Dawn Dyson-Threadgold from Animated Objects said: “We have such an incredible coastline and countryside and that’s why we’ve chosen to set such an epic tale in this unique and dramatic landscape.
“The tale of the Survivor is beautiful , relevant and important, which shows the kindness all people should be treated with.
“The performances will really help bring the stories to life and culture to the coast.”
Animated Objects Theatre Company specialises in largescale celebrations and artistic events featuring impressive visuals; dramatic performances on an epic scale and live music.
“We engage with local communities directly as makers, creatives and performers, with the emphasis on providing opportunities for people to participate in a number of different ways,” said Dawn.