After being part of the first Hatchling performance at Plymouth in 2021, we were honoured when Stephen Hoath invited us to take part in another performance, only this time it would be on our doorstep in Wakefield. And so a series of phone calls, emails, messages and zoom meetings began. The first gathering of a few of us was in the snow back in March 2023 so we could test the flying of kites off the back of the boat at Pugneys Country Park, the location for the event.
We met again in the August on a lovely summer day but this time we had the Hatchling and a balloon to test out. We learnt a lot about the location and were able to plan exactly where we’d want the anchor points at both the launch and landing sites plus how the boat could tow the kite/balloon around the lake.
Fast forward 12 months and the whole team of kiters and puppeteers were based in Wakefield to rehearse with the Hatchling – both the juvenile and adult. The production itself started on the Friday morning with the Hatchling being hatched in front of a huge crowd of onlookers and bemused shoppers. After exploring the city centre, the Hatchling settled down for lullaby and a sleep in front of the Cathedral.
The adult Hatchling continued her journey around the streets on the Saturday although we were busy with final preparations at Pugneys. This time we had the maxi manta but the winds proved far too strong and blustery. In fact the weather proved to be set in for the weekend and come Sunday the sad decision was taken to not proceed with the final day’s performance due to health and safety concerns. It would have been dangerous enough for the puppeteers to have performed with the Hatchling, let alone us trying to fly her. Many tears were shed given the huge effort everyone had put in but all agreed with the decision.
It was a fantastic event and team to be part of. Shouts out to Carl Robertshaw, Stephen Hoath, Mervyn Millar and the rest of the Trigger crew and kiters. At the centre of everything were the team. Even though sadly we didn’t get to fly the Hatchling, it was the people that made this such a special event for us.
The Hatchling 2024 - Rehearsals March 2023
9 Photos
The Hatchling 2024 - Rehearsals August 2023
34 Photos
The Hatchling 2024 - Rehearsals August 2024
75 Photos
The Hatchling 2024 - Performance August 2024
79 Photos
The Hatchling 2024 - The People August 2024
35 Photos