Theatre of Dreams: WildWorks
WHO ARE WILDWORKS?
Wildworks is the UK’s leading landscape theatre company, based in Cornwall, who devise site-specific performances locally, nationally and internationally in collaboration with communities. Nathan Jackson, Executive Producer and Joint CEO says: “Cornwall informs all the work. Cornwall is a place on the edge looking out, and that’s what we do with our work.”
WHAT DO THEY DO?
From 2005, they have taken over unusual places and spaces to create large outdoor productions; from beaches and woodlands to car parks and castles. With help from local, often marginalised communities, Wildworks tells stories that explore humanity and place. Their work is multidisciplinary; it often integrates audiovisual components with performance to create visually strong aesthetics.
WHAT HAVE THEY DONE RECENTLY?
They have just completed an 18-month programme across Cornwall, We Are Shining, which explored Cornwall’s identity today. It was originally inspired by the travels of Pytheas, the Greek Explorer, and his journey as the first to circumnavigate Britain in 320BC. He identified Cornwall as ‘Belerion - The Shining Land’, which inspired Wildworks to explore: “If a stranger was coming to Cornwall today, what would they see? Hopefully they would see that we are shining,” said Jackson.
This opportunity allowed 1,606 participants, 161 artists/performers, and over 80,000 audience members to celebrate creativity across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
In association with this project, they ran a community engagement programme, ‘Hello Stranger’, which explored strangers’ experiences coming to Cornwall. Around 1,500 people participated in different projects, including 10 different secondary schools, with 450 pupils and 80 teachers in total.
‘The Scrapbook’, which summarises this project, is available to download.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Wildworks have announced that their office and studios are now located at the Mount Pleasant Eco Park in Porthtowan.
HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT THEM?
Individuals can sign up to their newsletter on their website, which shares their latest updates, and can also follow the company on social media. There are often opportunities to be further involved with Wildworks, which are shared across these platforms.
See more at https://wildworks.org.uk