WALK THE PLANK

SIZE OF COMPANY
8–10 on the road

SCALE OF VENUE
Outdoor locations including town squares, parks and car parks, docks, castles, bridges, canals, rivers, beaches.

PERMANENT STAFF
Producer
Liz Pugh

Producer
John Wassell

General Manager
Terry Luddington

Production Manager
Andy Stratford

Finance Manager
Yasmin Younis

Marketing Officer
Lisa Coates

ARTISTIC POLICY
Walk the Plank is a creative force of artists, pyrotechnicians and event engineers, blending performance and visual imagery with amazing special effects to create imaginative outdoor theatre. The work varies in scale from epic to intimate, often responding to particular places and occasions, as well as touring work to festivals and cultural events. The company has gained an international reputation for producing innovative, exciting work, often in unusual locations; as well as operating Britain’s only touring theatre ship.

REVIEW EXTRACTS
‘Dholdrums in the Dark provided a fitting finale to Saturday's event – happening in darkness, the show is accessible, uplifting and spectacular.’ Julian Rudd, Festival Director

‘A luscious bouquet of sculptures and pyrotechnics… a mesmerising event that produced a child-like state of wonder in the audience.’ Total Theatre

CURRENT PRODUCTIONS
Dhol Drums in the Dark A processional music show, inspired by the north Indian dhol drum, which leads to a spectacular finale using Maltese Wheels (pyrotechnic sculptures) and other special effects suitable for up to 5000 people. Created in collaboration with the Dhol Academy, with music by Kuljit Bhamra. 30 minutes plus procession beforehand (10–30 mins, 14 on the road.)

Gulliver’s Boom Box A street dance performance on and around a giant ghetto blaster, complete with hydraulic lifting platforms and other tricks, created in collaboration with choreographer Darren Pritchard’s Company Fierce Dance Theatre. (30 mins, can be performed 2/3 times per day, 6 on stage, 8 on the road.)

The Emperor and the Tiger A firework folk story created in collaboration with carnival arts company Kinetika, which features a magnificent mechanical tiger, colourful carnival dancers, and fabulous firework effects. Suitable for up to 10,000 people, Kinetika can work with local dancers and performers who can then be part of the show. (50 mins, requires 3–5 days on site, 10–15 on the road.)

WRAP-AROUND
Workshops often form part of the process of creating the show – working with people to create images, dance, and music that are woven into the performance. The company offers residencies by key artists as a prelude to the performances, as well as lectures, seminars and demonstrations, particularly looking at outdoor performance.

RECENT INTERNATIONAL WORK
2006 Canada (Tower of Light)
2005 Portugal (S.W.A.L.K)

TOURING AVAILABILITY
All year round