The Hatchling

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The Hatchling
The Hatchling (1).jpg
Giant puppet with kite construction
The Hatchling, by Damian Pudner 2021
DateAugust 28–29, 2021 (2021-08-28 – 2021-08-29)
LocationPlymouth, England
TypePerformance art
MotiveStreet entertainment, kite-flying, freedom and hope
Organised byTrigger Productions Limited, of (Bristol)
Websitewww.thehatchling.co.uk

The Hatchling is a giant puppet dragon of kite construction; created for street theatre, performance art, procession and flight. It was designed and built by Trigger Productions Limited of Bristol, England, for a 2021 event in Plymouth, Devon, when the Hatchling processed through the streets[1] and was then flown as a kite over Plymouth Sound.[1]

The Hatchling is controlled by rods when in procession, and it can be kite-flown by lines held by a ship, over the sea. It has a wingspan of 20 metres (65.6 feet), and it is "the size of a double-decker bus".[2] In 2021, according to The Times it was "the largest [puppet] ever to be powered by people".[3] The Hatchling has been included in plans for the 5 June 2022 Platinum Jubilee Pageant, in which the puppet will lead a procession of 5,000 street performers along The Mall, London.

Street performance and flight[]

The event was heralded thus in the Devon Daily newspaper:[4]

The Hatchling will be one of the highlight events of Mayflower 400, the year-long programme marking the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower’s historic voyage from Plymouth to Massachusetts, offering an opportunity to explore ideas of freedom of movement, tolerance and home through a shared theatrical experience.[4]

The Hatchling street performance in Plymouth, Devon, was originally scheduled for 14–15 August 2021, but was postponed "as a mark of respect to the community and families involved in the tragic incident in Keyham on 12 August".[5] In Plymouth's city centre, between Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 August 2021, The Hatchling hatched from an egg and built a nest,[6] attained the dimensions of a double-decker bus,[nb 1] and took wing from Plymouth Hoe, over Plymouth Sound.[2] The puppet roamed the city, explored its surroundings and interacted with the public.[7] Performances by local groups were included in the schedule.[6] Over 30,000 people attended the event.[8] Poets Rebecca Tantony, Chris White and Shagufta K. Iqbal performed pieces on the subject of dragon mythology.[9]

Flight[]

On the Sunday evening the puppet underwent a metamorphosis from rod-controlled puppet to kite, and from dragon to bird,[1] unfurling her wings for the first time.[9][10] She flew over Plymouth Sound.[6] as an "uplifting symbol of freedom".[8]

There was a practice session beforehand, using the smaller Hatchling kite-puppet. Then on 29 August the full-sized kite puppet was launched from the Hoe. The floodlit kite was towed by the vessel St Nicholas and escorted by the tug Prince Rock, while flying from West Hoe Bay to Barn Pool in Plymouth, then recovered from shore.[11] Sandra Smith of The Lost Sound described the launch:[1]

Dusk turned into night time and the field was lit up with white search lights and the dragon became iridescent. The dragon grew wings and a new body - stronger and fixed, to lift into the air. All the time the puppeteers were like worker ants carrying back and forth creating the new body. The puppeteers got her ready to lift, to fly; and with no wind at all that night, they had to get her to elevate. They were running, lifting her up, but she bounced back down, unable to catch any breeze. Many times she nearly got off the ground, to roars from the crowd, but she couldn't get high enough to fly and then, suddenly, there was enough breeze and she lifted, haltingly, unsteadily, but she began to rise. The crowd erupted, cheered, whooped and willed her to ascend. Slowly she hovered and then began to turn and fly up. She hung in the air above the field for a long time looking down on us, part bird, part crucifix, a symbol of hope, of freedom and of daring to dream big![1]

  • The Hatchling in flight, by Damian Pudner, 2021

Design and production[]

According to Angie Bual, artistic director of Trigger, the original purpose of The Hatchling project was as follows:[12]

The project is a celebration of cultural diversity, openness and unity, asking us to celebrate our commonalities over our differences, and it is a real opportunity to confront issues around migration and freedom of movement through the global symbol of the dragon. Whilst found in stories in every ancient culture around the world, the dragon is revered and respected in eastern mythology but often considered menacing in western folklore. The power public art has to unify us has never been more important.[12]

The event and puppet were designed "in partnership with a palaeontologist",[13] by a production team from Trigger Productions Limited of Bristol, "in collaboration with a leading design team specialising in puppetry, kites and immersive theatre".[14][2] The event was funded by Arts Council England and Plymouth City Council.[2] The idea was conceived by Angie Bual, artistic director of Trigger, and was "brought to life in collaboration with a team of leading creatives including Mervyn Millar, part of the original creative team of the ... stage production War Horse, and Carl Robertshaw, a designer who has created sets for the London 2012 Olympic Ceremonies ... and is a five-time sport kite world champion".[5] The Plymouth a cappella group, The Lost Sound, provided music for the moments when the puppet slept and flew.[15]

Puppet[]

Construction and puppeteering[]

The Hatchling was designed by Carl Robertshaw,[2] in the general shape of a pterosaur, although the finished adult puppet is a little larger than the prehistoric creature.[16] The Times said that The Hatchling was "the largest ever to be powered by people".[3] The puppet is a kite construction with a wingspan of more than 20 metres (65.6 feet). In 2021 it was "the world’s largest human-operated puppet to attempt flight".[14]

The Hatchling, which stands at over 6.5 metres (21.3 feet). tall, is the largest ever puppet to be solely human-operated. It is constructed from super lightweight carbon fibre weighing less than a piece of hand luggage, allowing it to be operated by a team of 36 puppeteers working in rotation in groups of 15.[10]

A team from Plymouth College of Art constructed the egg, using 33 metres (108.3 feet) of lycra.[17]

  • The Hatchling as a rod puppet, in procession, by Damian Pudner 2021

Reviews[]

  • "Something truly out of this world". (BBC News).[2]
  • "This is a truly unique art show". (Closer).[2]
  • "It was an amazing sight to watch tens of thousands of people on Plymouth Hoe witness The Hatchling transform in front of their eyes to rise and fly out across Plymouth Sound in pursuit of the pearl". Nick Kelly, leader of Plymouth City Council on (BBC News).[18]

Future events[]

Main article: Platinum Jubilee Pageant

On 5 June 2022, "[the] Hatchling dragon puppet will lead an array of cultural celebrations outside Buckingham Palace at the Platinum Jubilee Pageant ... bringing central London to life with colour, street theatre and dance. As she curiously and playfully explores The Mall, the Hatchling will be greeted by a friend. A single dancer ... Intricate kites and long, flowing ribbons will unfurl at the dragon’s wings, adding a sense of flight, excitement and celebration. Their activity heralds the arrival of the pageant parade which they will guide towards the palace".[2] "The star of the show will be a giant puppet dragon the size of a double decker bus, with a wingspan the width of The Mall" (The Times).[2] The procession led by The Hatchling will include 5,000 street performers.[13]

See also[]

Notes[]

  1. ^ To support the illusion of growth and transformation, there are in reality two Hatchling puppets: a smaller one representing the dragon chick, and a larger one representing the same dragon as an adult.

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e Smith, Sandra (2021). "The Hatchling Flight - Sunday evening- part 2". thelostsound.co.uk. The Lost Sound (Dartmoor Fold Choir). Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i "The Hatchling". thehatchling.co.uk. Trigger. 2015–2021. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  3. ^ a b "14-person dragon puppet The Hatchling is largest ever to be powered by people". The Times. 2021. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  4. ^ a b "Spectacular live production The Hatchling coming to Plymouth". Devon Daily. 18 February 2020. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  5. ^ a b "Mayflower 400". mayflower400uk.org. Mayflower 400. 2020. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  6. ^ a b c "The Hatchling in Plymouth: everything you need to know". visitplymouth.co.uk. Plymouth Britain's Ocean City. 2021. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  7. ^ "The Hatchling". visitplymouth.co.uk. Plymouth Britain's Ocean City. 2021. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  8. ^ a b "The Hatchling: world premiere". triggerstuff.co.uk. Trigger. 2021. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  9. ^ a b "The Hatchling, world premiere". applesandsnakes.org. Apples and snakes. 2021. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  10. ^ a b "The Hatchling Plymouth, new dates". oneplymouth.co.uk. One Plymouth (Eddystone Media). 20 August 2021. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  11. ^ "PLNTM 045 the Hatchling-afloat operations". royalnavy.mod.uk. Queens Harbour Master Plymouth. 12 August 2021. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  12. ^ a b Windsor, Emma (16 June 2021). "Puppet Place News". puppetplace.wordpress.com. Puppet Place News. Retrieved 17 December 2021. (Emma Windsor, Angie Bual, and Puppet Place News are reliable sources)
  13. ^ a b Dickinson, Sophie (24 August 2021). "A puppet dragon the size of a double-decker bus is about to hatch in the UK". timeout.com. Time Out. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  14. ^ a b "The Hatchling: world premiere". madeinplymouth.co.uk. Made in Plymouth. 2021. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  15. ^ "See The Hatchling - 28 and 29 August". plymouth.gov.uk. Plymouth City Council. 24 August 2021. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  16. ^ "The Hatchling is coming to Plymouth this summer!". Plymouth Chronicle. 5 March 2021. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  17. ^ "Costume students help create The Hatchling". plymouthart.ac.uk. Plymouth College of Art. 2021. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  18. ^ "Hatchling: Giant dragon puppet flies off Plymouth coast". bbc.co.uk. British Broadcasting Corporation. 30 August 2021. Retrieved 17 December 2021.

External links[]

Media related to The Hatchling at Wikimedia Commons

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