Sense of Unity - a touring production

Night time parade show

Activate's Role: Producer

Current Project

Location: Premiered in Newbury town centre. Now available for national and international touring.
Date: Premiered in 2017
Audience / age range: Family friendly
Artists: Worldbeaters and Dundu

A giant illuminated puppet, Dundu, and a smaller playful Baby Dundu, promenade through gathered crowds. Both the large and small Dundu puppets gently interact with the audience and are accompanied by ethereal West African Kora. When combined with the drama of Worldbeater’s dynamic rhythms and synchronised LEDs, it makes for a dynamic crowd-pleasing spectacle.

Sense of Unity is a flexible 40 to 60-minute dusk or night-time parade show bringing together two of Europe’s most in-demand outdoor arts companies: southern Germany’s Dundu and the north of England’s Worldbeaters.

For large moving audiences (approximately 1,500 – 3,000+) who will experience an unfolding visual scenario charting the universal theme of growth, from birth to maturity, with continued audience interaction woven around a musical soundscape inspired by world rhythms and the West African kora. Conceived for city centres, green-field sites and heritage sites, this Activate Performing Arts-produced collaboration is now available for UK and international touring.

40 – 60 minutes
14 on the road (12 performers, 2 crew)
Designed for urban, heritage and green-field outdoor sites
Interactive moving parade with three staged, high-impact, choreographed scenes
Full technical rider available on request
Get-in day before performance
Performance starts from sundown
Outreach options available
Optional pyrotechnic ending available
Attendance: approx. 16,500 people across eight UK shows in 2017 and 2018
Full marketing pack available including draft copy, press releases and digital content

Outreach Programme

Sense of Unity operates a unique, triple-layered outreach programme that so far has reached several hundred participants. This three-part engagement option of Workshops, Social Shows and Community Integration gives promoters the opportunity to reach audiences beyond their primary sites.

Workshops

Worldbeaters can host a drumming workshop for up to 20 participants on the day of the performance.

“Residents had a great time, and both [companies] were expert at engaging with everyone, at times reaching out to people with complex needs in a beautiful and touching way.” Neighbourhood Development Officer, Bournemouth.

Social Shows

Baby Dundu can undertake short performances with the kora, including street walkabouts, school visits and respite home appearances.

“It was a pleasure having this wonderful show here, all the children were amazed and had a wonderful time.” Donna’s Dream House, Blackpool.

Community Integration

Sense of Unity includes a non-professional performance opportunity. Through discussion in advance with group leaders it is possible to integrate non-professional/community performers in the performance. Choirs, dancers and others are welcome to join in.

“Several people at the front performed an energetic acrobatic show. This was a representation of a new form of art that the large puppet was learning on his journey.” Reviewer, Great Yarmouth

Feedback

“Sense of Unity was one of the strongest performances as part of our outdoor programme … and for it to launch in Newbury after creative rehearsal time at 101 makes it an extraordinarily special project.” Grant Brisland, Co-Director, Corn Exchange, New Greenham Arts and 101 Creation Space

“Sense of Unity was such an apt title as residents shook hands and said hello to each other. With recent events in London this was so heartfelt to see. Best thing I’ve seen down this road in the ten years I’ve lived here and all because I went to the corner shop for a bag of crisps….” Gemma Tomkinson, local resident

Brilliant performance last night by @dundu_eu and @wbmusic Can only admire all that talent that was on High Street last night! #SenseofUnity @ImagineWatford @MissPaalanen, Twitter

“I was following the parade and these kids just kept saying, “This is awesome!” The kids round here don’t often get a chance to feel that way.” Whitehawk Road resident, Brighton

“I found it a very moving occasion, creating exactly what the title suggested, a wonderful spirit of togetherness.” Bradley Hemmings, Artistic Director, Greenwich & Docklands Festival

“ Seeing the locals and the visitors looking up in pure awe and surprise at the giant Dundu puppet was just beautiful to witness. The puppets and Dundu became instant, welcomed friends of Blackpool and I hope we can bring them back again and again and again.” Kay Trayford, Creative Producer, LeftCoast

Sense of Unity was premiered in Newbury’s town centre in June 2017. The day after, the whole group performed along Roman Road, Bow for Greenwich and Docklands Festival (GDIF) and this time, ended the performance deep in a local housing estate with a firework finale. The show then toured the UK including Great Yarmouth, Blackpool, Hastings and Bournemouth through Coasters.

The work was re-presented for two shows in Weymouth town centre as part of Inside Out Dorset festival 2021 to universal acclaim from audience and event partners.

For both iterations, thousands of people lined the streets and walked with the ensemble to see its spectacular climax.

To book this show please contact:

Creative Director Bill Gee
email bill@b-g-a.co.uk
phone +44 207 247 5102

Producer Dom Kippin
email: dom@activateperformingarts.org.uk
phone: +44 1305 260954