< previous story || next story >

WILDWORKS the theatre company who made a man fly now travels deep into the underworld....

WildWorks, the internationally acclaimed company who created the sell out promenade performance 'A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings' (HAYLE 2005) with Kneehigh Theatre, are currently preparing an epic open air performance that will take us deep into the Cornish heartland.

A tale of love and adventure, this project promises to be as ambitious and moving as the Hayle spectacle in 2005. Those who were lucky enough to witness it never believed they would actually see a man fly - but they did - and memories of A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings will last a life time.

After their successful partnership with Kneehigh, WildWorks have continued to focus and develop site specific productions, with a strong emphasis on community involvement. Over the past two years the company has been performing their latest project - Souterrain - touring to different underworlds in the UK and France; A rural village, a school, a convent, a castle, and a dept store.

Based on the tale of Orpheus from Greek mythology, Souterrain follows the journey of a man who risks everything to bring the love of his life back from Hades, Lord of Death, who owns all and returns nothing. He travels deep into the cold clutches of the underworld - and we go with him. There is dancing, singing, music and excitement. Everything is going to be well, but then comes disaster.

"This is theatre to which you must bring your own grief and sense of loss. It makes room for you to do so, and it fully understands the importance of ritual and the need to say goodbye...... It is extraordinarily moving."
Lyn Gardner, Monday May 15, 2006 The Guardian

After their final performances in France this June, as part of the Sotteville-en-Rouen festival, WildWorks will finally bring Souterrain home for twenty magical performances, in the heart of Cornwall's lost mining industry.

Seeking a setting for the performance, Director Bill Mitchell knew the sprawling Dolcoath and South Crofty wastelands would provide an extraordinary and poignant site for a Cornish underworld. Now abandoned, Dolcoath was once the richest and deepest of Cornish mines, while Crofty remains the slim hope for the industry's future, where men continue to work underground. These performances will take place on and round the mining site.

Director Bill Mitchell explains, "Wildworks create shows in the landscape that come from the lives and memories of those who belong there. We search out amazing locations, all of which seem to have had a glorious past and an uncertain future. Our Cornish residency in Dolcoath, will be mthe only UK venue for Souterrain this year and it being on our own home ground will have special resonance for us".

With a superb international cast, live music and choirs Souterrain is already being hailed as the most spectacular outdoor performance of the year. Don't miss it.

Dress for the outdoors, wear your walking shoes, bring your own memories and join the adventure!

Chloe Wild
Photographs above show the Souterrain production; taken by Steve Tanner

< previous story || next story >