NatWest Island Games Opening Ceremony

Following news of our recent successful Lottery bid, plans are well underway to create this spectacular show – the biggest and best carnival the region has ever seen.  

56 Island schools and performing arts organisations have now registered to be involved in the project, which aims to create a spectacular piece of carnival theatre, a celebration of Island people and places, inspired by local folklore and history.  

Local historian and folkloric expert Brian Reeves has been involved in the creation of the narrative for this work, which begins with a dramatic opening section entitled ‘Dinosaur Island’ to be presented by huge articulated puppets and ‘flying’ pterodactyls on stilts. The story weaves its way through mythological giants and ‘mallyshag’ caterpillars, through legendary feats of endurance like the ‘the Bacca Pipes Jig’,  through invading Romans and crusading Knights, through the Victorian era and the Queen’s obsession with India, to finally come to rest in 21^st century Isle of Wight, proud home to fabulous festivals and creative cultural carnivals.     

Participating schools and organisations will begin researching themes relating to their awarded section from September onwards and will take part in design workshops with our artists to create the proto types for the costumes. The work will be overseen by creative director Sharon George, to form a single visual aesthetic and to maintain continuity and quality across the different groups taking part. The parade will be performed to live and specially recorded music and performers will rehearse dance moves for the road.   

‘Silver Threads’ - dancers carrying large flags and coloured ribbons, will connect the sections or chapters within the parade, and will lead off to form part of our finale site-specific performance in the 2011 Arena on Ryde Esplanade.  We are pleased to be working with Outdoor Theatre company Periplum on developing this part of the show.

To view the work, mark the date in your diary now – and - if coming from the mainland, we recommend you book your ferry early as transport links to the island will be under heavy pressure that day.