A driftwood boat has set sail across troublesome seas and is in search of a safe place to dock. The precious cargo of fragile puppets made from discarded objects and skilfully manipulated by professional puppeteers is seeking peace and safety. Set to a beautiful pre-recorded soundtrack created by renowned world music composer Maria Jardardottir, the puppets travel through the audience supporting each other through their hardships.
The audience, captured and mesmerised by the turmoil and plight of the highly emotive puppets, then decide whether they should welcome the boat into their community and provide sanctuary or whether to send the boat onward on its journey.
To date every audience has welcomed the boat, embracing the puppets with welcome blankets and carrying them to safety. Children, often the most moved by the experience, are usually the first to step forward and care for the puppets while the audiences as a whole are generally left entranced and contemplative.
If you would like our driftwood boat to sail into your community please get in touch with us.
Driftwood Outdoor Arts Production – Promenade Performance – 40 mins
A driftwood boat with driftwood puppets sets sail through a town, city or festival, stopping on occasion to show vignettes of the ‘refugees’ journey. The Driftwood performance comprises a striking visual non-verbal performance using skilled and sensitive puppeteers, set to an original pre-recorded soundtrack created by vocal world music composer Maria Jardardottir.
Driftwood Welcome Static Show – up to 20 mins
The “refugees”, in mortal danger, continue their journey into the given space, weaving between the audience. As they spot land, the audience/participants are facilitated to help and welcome them. The puppets, once given safe haven, are left as an installation in the space for the rest of the day.
Optional Driftwood Community Visual Arts “welcome” workshop – 2 hrs
Inspired by the participants’ sense of place and belonging, a 2 hr ‘drop in’ or ‘sign up’ visual arts workshop is delivered prior to the performance, where participants are given the opportunity to make a welcome flag, in a visible outdoor location on the street or at a festival. Conversations around refuge, migration and asylum ensue, and the community is encouraged to remain or return for the performance, to welcome the arrival of the Driftwood boat and its ‘cargo’, and collect their flags to keep after the performance.
Please contact us on 01924 335985 or email to arrange a booking or to discuss further ideas.
