Work starts to create EUROPA

Following our successful bid to produce and present The Queen of Europe for the prestigious opening of The UK Centre for Carnival Arts, Luton, in May, the Carnival Centre has announced its costume director, Sharon George, who will work with associates from Island-based Mas Fusion to design and create the costumes. The project was launched at a celebration evening at the centre in January.  It is expected that over 100 people will be involved in some way in the production and/or performance.

The commission, to present a five meter high mobile structure (float) and 44 costumed dancers, will take the theme of ‘Europa’ depicting the Greek legend wherein the god Zeus abducts and installs the beautiful Europa as first Queen of Crete. The story gave its name to the continent, and the modern European Flag depicts the necklace of Stars that Zeus presented his new Queen as a wedding gift.

The Carnival Learning Centre is delighted to be working alongside Italian scenographer and float builder Umberto Cinquini on this production. Umberto will undertake the structure of the float at his workshop in Viareggio before transporting it to the Isle of Wight for embellishment and rehearsals. Umberto has been a regular visitor to the Island having undertaken two prior international residencies here, one of which was funded through the Arts Council’s International Fellowships scheme.

The new work will form part of the grand parade through Luton Town Centre before performing a choreographed piece on stage to a prestigious international audience. Other sections of the opening festivities are being produced by well known national/international companies including Kinetica, Mandiga Arts, Shademakers, MasArt Luton’s own Rampage and Walk the Plank 

Europa will be presented at Luton and then again @ Bridgewater Carnival, Somerset in November as part of the UK Centre’s national partnerships scheme.