The Wakefield district is preparing for an unforgettable 366-day program of cultural and heritage activities for Our Year – Wakefield District 2024.
At the core of this celebration will be The Hatchling, a remarkable outdoor show featuring an innovative dragon puppet created and produced by Trigger – the creators of unforgettable, large-scale outdoor theatre and art.
Trigger is collaborating with Wakefield Council to extend an invitation to local community and participation groups to be part of The Hatchling, a once-in-a-lifetime city-wide event that will be free for all to attend.
Cllr Michelle Collins, Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Sport, said: “We’re extremely excited for The Hatchling to come to our district, it will be an absolutely spectacular event for everyone to enjoy.
“I’m also delighted that our community groups have the chance to get involved and join The Hatchling as it makes its way across the city. If you have an idea, please get in touch with us, as this is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience and we want to get as many local people involved as possible.”
From 23 – 25 August 2024, The Hatchling is poised to take centre stage, wandering the city, and engaging with community groups from across the Wakefield district as they activate and animate the streets with ‘flash-mob’ style performances and interactions. Groups of all backgrounds, abilities, and talents across the district are encouraged to participate in this extraordinary performance.
A creative team is ready to assist in refining concepts and developing performances, from workshops to ongoing guidance throughout the creative process. This is an opportunity for community groups and their leaders to showcase their remarkable abilities, celebrate local talent, and attract new members.
The project calls for a variety of groups, including knitters, choirs, dance troupes, cycling teams, game-playing groups, and more. As she journeys through Wakefield’s city centre, The Hatchling will respond to these performances, creating a duet between the dragon and the city, and showcasing the homegrown talent of the Wakefield district.
Angie Bual, Creative Director of Trigger, said: “We are thrilled to be bringing The Hatchling to Wakefield in August 2024. This show is created with the support of partners across Wakefield and celebrates the talent and energy of the people who live there.
“Community engagement and creating opportunities for local people is a vital part of The Hatchling’s purpose. The Hatchling isn’t just a spectacle to witness, it’s an experience to get involved in. We’re excited to showcase the talent and creativity Wakefield has to offer.”
Groups from across the district that are interested in taking part are encouraged to send a short email to ouryear@wakefield.gov.uk providing a brief description of their group, why they’d like to be involved, how many people would be participating, and a concise explanation of what they would like to offer the dragon during her visit to Wakefield. If you have any links or photos/videos of your work, please feel free to share them.
The deadline for applications is 17 November 2023.
