The Hatchling

World’s first flying puppet to take to the streets and skies of Plymouth on 14th-15th August 2021!

This August, theatremakers Trigger will stage The Hatchling, an extraordinary outdoor performance bringing a universal myth to life. A giant puppet in the form of a dragon will appear in Plymouth and roam through the city before taking flight in a unique feat of artistry and engineering. Created in collaboration with a world-class team of immersive theatre makers, puppetry specialists and champion kite flyers, the event aims to bring people together to celebrate freedom following a year of isolation.

The World Premiere of The Hatchling, which is free to attend, will invite the public to take to the streets and accompany the dragon on her epic two-day journey. The performance has been created with 25 partners including The Queens Harbour Master, Plymouth University and Theatre Royal Plymouth.

Upon hatching the dragon will explore her surroundings, stopping traffic as her curiosity takes her through the city and she meets the public. At sunset on Sunday 15 August, she will undertake a miraculous metamorphosis into a kite, unfolding her wings spanning over 20m. Flying from a clifftop, she will soar into the sky and across the sea in a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle featuring lighting design by Mat Daw and a choral score by Ruth Chan.

The Hatchling was conceived by Angie Bual, Artistic Director of Trigger, who was inspired by the dragon as a global symbol. 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.

Artist’s impression of The Hatchling, produced by Trigger, taking place in Plymouth

The event will bring together people from all walks of life to participate in a shared experience, opening up conversations around migration and freedom of movement.

The project is a collaboration between a team of leading UK creatives including Mervyn Millar, part of the original creative team of the acclaimed stage production War Horse, and Carl Robertshaw, a designer who has created sets for the London 2012 Olympic Ceremonies, collaborated with artists including Ellie Goulding and Kylie, a 5-time sport kite world champion.

Standing at over 6.5m tall, The Hatchling 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. Designed in collaboration with a palaeontologist, she will be the largest ever flying creature, surpassing the size of the prehistoric pterosaur on which she is based.

Angie Bual, Artistic Director of Trigger, says: “We’re thrilled to be bringing The Hatchling, which has been six years in the making, to life this August. This show is a love letter to the city, and has been created with the support of partners across Plymouth from industry, academia, sport, culture and more. Plymouth will become a world stage for an event that celebrates the talent and energy of the people who live there.

The Hatchling asks us to celebrate our commonalities over our differences – no matter your heritage or age, everyone has a connection to the dragon. When she flies, it will be a moment for all of us to reflect on freedom of movement, and what that means for each of us. The power public art has to unify us has never been more important.”

Portrait of Angie Bual, Creative Director of Trigger

Tudor Evans, Leader of Plymouth City Council, says: “Plymouth has been the starting point for some of the world’s most historic journeys including those of The Mayflower, Darwin and Shackleton, and for thousands of emigrants setting off all over the world. The Hatchling will be another unique journey starting from the city this summer. It will be a world-class cultural event set against the beautiful backdrop of Plymouth Sound.”

The Hatchling has been made possible thanks to public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England and support from Plymouth City Council and Mayflower 400. It will be delivered in partnership with a range of event partners, alongside 5 academic research projects conducted by the Brigstow Institute at the University of Bristol

Community groups and creative organisations from across Plymouth are preparing to welcome The Hatchling. The public are being invited to take part in the show across the weekend. Theatre Royal Plymouth are looking for people to join their regular groups to create a fitting welcome for the dragon. No performance experience is required, but people are being asked to register their interest and availability for rehearsals at theatreroyal.com/thehatchlingbepartofit. Meanwhile, Trigger are searching for local buskers to perform along the route – interested musicians should contact becca.gill@triggerstuff.co.uk.

A number of groups are already preparing to take part in the two-day event including Barbican Theatre Plymouth, who are creating new work, especially for The Hatchling. On Saturday 14 August, 30 singers from The Lost Sound choir will perform a lullaby to send The Hatchling to sleep after a day of exploration. The following day, performers from Plymouth Roller Derby will encounter The Hatchling on the Hoe before she undergoes a miraculous transformation, unfurling her wings and flying off the coast in a world-first attempt. The epic finale will take place to the melodies of Mayflower A Capella group who will perform a musical soundscape with a blend of 26 voices harmonising together.

Barbican Theatre ReBels on Plymouth Hoe (Image credit Brett Lockwood)

In advance of The Hatchling’s visit, designers and makers in Plymouth are creating their offerings. Plymouth College of Art students have joined Trigger’s costume department to make outfits for performers, and Mother’s Who Make are producing individual textile works that will be stitched together during the weekend to form a huge quilt for the sleeping dragon. Elder Tree will be participating in knitting and crochet work on Saturday before hosting a mass Tai Chi Class on the Sunday.

Plymouth communities are also getting involved through the Real Ideas Organisation who are working with families to create windsocks which will fly on the Hoe on Sunday evening. The Conscious Sisters are working with local groups around the city to make lanterns which will be shown in a parade with the help of Nudge Community Builders.

Sandra Smith from The Lost Sound said: “Coming out of lockdown has been hard for our communities; we haven’t been together at large events for a long time and we’ve missed that buzz! But wait till you see this amazing outdoor show – The Hatchling will burst out onto our Plymouth streets and allow our minds and imagination to soar again – to dream big! We can’t wait to be part of it, it’s time to fly again!”

Harriet Bolwell, Senior Producer at Trigger said: “We’re delighted to be collaborating with so many participants and partner organisations from across Plymouth to create The Hatchling. The event is a true celebration of the city and the creative people who live here, and we can’t wait to come together after a year of isolation.”

After Plymouth, The Hatchling will continue her journey to London to head a procession of more than 5,000 performers at Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant, taking place on Sunday 5 June 2022.

She will take to the streets of London with her baby dragon, heading a procession of more than 5,000 performers which will pass iconic landmarks including Big Ben and Buckingham Palace. The Hatchling will interact with a playful young Princess Elizabeth, surprised by the appearance of a mysterious pearl, a symbol of strength, wisdom and power which features in dragon folklore.