Birds of Paradise

Birds of Paradise is to become an outdoor performance installation, based in woodland and forestry areas. The installation takes inspiration from folklore, ritual and characteristics of birds. With words intertwined with a soundscape, offering a narrative to the spectacle.

An absurd, the unexpected and quirky performance takes inspiration from Celtic fokelore; The Mabinogion - Gwydion & Blodeuwedd ac Bran, The Children of Lir and tales of The Bamboo Bird. Taking the audience on a trail from tree to tree. They will discover visually spectacular aerial performance amongst the branches - storytellers - hula hooping birds & dancers.

The instillation will last approximately 20 mins ending with a finale performance - the great migration, a flash mob which will sweep through the forests leading into a finale ensemble performance.

The instillation will be a visual delight and sensory experience with colourful costumes contrasting against the green forestry backgrounds. Some of the performers will be masked and some will wear bamboo wings.

With the option to be guided through the instillation with the audio, and to explore the performance as a sensory experience where the audience can explore the trinkets of the birds nests, masks and costumes through touch. Then audio is bilingual and can be received in Welsh or English.

The instillation will animate 4/5 sites as part of the performance - 4 aerial performances in trees and one ground based instillation. If there are not enough suitable trees we will adapt the performances to become ground based / movement or storytelling acts.

Birds of Paradise has been commissioned for creation in summer 2024 and will be ready for bookings late summer 2024 and summer 2025.