"You are the Sun" -explore the magic of nature

Peter Anderson • Apr 29, 2024

“You Are The Sun by HurlyBurly is a masterclass in how early years theatre should be created."

Zoe Pickering, Z-Arts Head of Programming


HurlyBurly Theatre’s "You are the Sun", is a folk inspired opera for babies and grownups that explores the magic of nature. Now on tour, "You are the Sun" combines the joy of gentle classical singing and sensory play and is an invitation to see beauty in the smallest things and to let plants be your guide. The interactive and playful set casts a magical spell with locally foraged plants, water, light and soil. parents are led by their babies to reconnect with the natural world.


HurlyBurly Theatre make playful theatrical experiences for babies and adults with classical singing at their heart where babies are free to be themselves and grown-ups have a chance to relax, bond and play. ​​Artistic Directors Sarah Forbes and Catherine Carter founded HurlyBurly in 2016 having become new parents themselves. Catherine & Sarah said: “We believe in creating high quality experiences for very young children and their parents to introduce them to the magic of theatre in a safe stress-free space for them to explore at their own pace." 


"Over and again audiences comment on how mesmerised their children were by the music, the singing and the sensory play.  For us as artists the experience never gets boring because every show is different depending on who is in the room with us. The babies become the performance - it is a great privilege to share this moment of vulnerability and adventure with new parents and their tiny children."


The duo who originally trained as classical singers began to work together to create shows they wanted to experience at that time which are as much for new parents as they are for babies. Everyone is free to move around and interact with the performers and space in whatever way they choose. Parents are given a rare opportunity to sit back and relax enveloped in beautiful, soothing and mesmeric music.


"You are the Sun" is created by Catherine Carter and Sarah Forbes with words and music by Catherine Carter and design by Kirsty Harris. The show’s development has been supported by The Egg (Theatre Royal Bath), Portsmouth Guildhall and Watermans Arts Centre as well as Arts Council England. Celebrate the gift of nature in this relaxed and playful opera for babies and grown-ups. Help to conjure a world out of breath, water, sunlight and soil in a magical musical adventure for 0 – 2-year-olds.


You can find out more about HurlyBurly and the tour of "You are the Sun" at  www.hurlyburlytheatre.com or on Facebook: @HurlyBurlyCo // Instagram and X @hurlyburly_co

Peterborough Presents - Celebrating 10 years of creativity

By Peter Anderson • 16 May, 2024
In 2024 Peterborough Presents is celebrating 10 years of working with communities across the city to create great ‘art’. Mention the arts and people naturally think of galleries and theatres. For the last 10 years, arts organisation Peterborough Presents has been working with people from across the city to show that it is this and so much more. It can mean circuses, folk tales, street murals, poetry on the walls at the Lido, Zombie Walks at Diwali, being serenaded by violins whilst in a hot tub at Thorpe Meadows, going on magical history tours and creating lantern parades. It can mean carnivals at Millfield Festival, weekly craft groups or even doing up your local street with colourful planters. For their birthday, the Peterborough Presents team want to celebrate all the ways in which you can be creative and encourage you to get creative too. Their 10th birthday is as ambitious as ever! It kicks-off at Peterborough Celebrates Festival on 18th & 19th May at Ferry Meadows. Peterborough Presents will be taking over the ‘creative dome’. In there you can watch amazing carnival performances by Mandinga Arts or get involved in drawing and making sessions. Of course, there will be some party games too! Artist Rose Croft is currently working with groups from across the city to create colourful garlands and artworks from recycled materials that will decorate the Creative Dome. With funding from Arts Council England, Peterborough Presents has been working with people of all ages and backgrounds. Programme Director Sarah Haythornthwaite says “ There’s a lot of creativity in Peterborough and also energy to try something different. 10 years is a proper milestone too. Over those years we have had the pleasure, and honour, of working with specific neighbourhoods in the city to create projects alongside local residents. We don’t tell people what ‘arts’ they need." "We start by getting to know people, find out what inspires them, what's missing and then we create something together. It makes every project and every neighbourhood unique. We have seen people make new friends, learn new skills, even seen communities come together for the first time. They have looked at their neighbourhood in a different way and found creative ways to shout about something important to them. We’ve worked with some amazing established artists but have also helped to support some fabulous new ones too. Above all, we’ve had fun!” The birthday celebrations will continue throughout the year with community-led creative programmes in Millfield, Westwood, Eye, and beyond. Highlights include the Millfield Makers event in August, Eye Lantern Parade in November and film projects with young people in Westwood. You can expect some short films, podcasts and digital artwork released online too. Sarah continues “ The Peterborough Presents programme has provided thousands of people the opportunity to be part of creative activities over the last 10 years. We enjoy working closely with communities to co-produce our programme so that residents can experience art on their doorstep – projects that are relevant and fun!! A party isn’t a party unless others join us on the dance floor. So, we’re inviting you all to come and join us at Peterborough Celebrates and have a go at being a bit creative. ” Peterborough Presents is hosted by Nene Park Trust and supported by Metal, Peterborough City Council, Peterborough Council for Voluntary Services, Eastern Angles and Creative Lives. The programme is funded by Arts Council England.You can find out more about by visiting www.peterboroughpresents.org . To find out more about Peterborough Celebrates visit www.peterboroughcelebratesfestival.co.uk

Fältsånger perform at The Pyramid

By Peter Anderson • 16 May, 2024
Placing as much importance on the visual aspect as the music, Fältsånger strives to make each concert an experience, with unique opening films that draw the audience into their world before emerging from the shadows to blend into the psychedelic projections that flood the stage as the music blossoms. Fältsånger are perhaps best described as psychedelic electronica. Or maybe ambient space rock. Or even experimental muzak. Whatever the label, their music is uniquely their own. Coming from Warrington, the band appeared in 2023 with a few releases across streaming platforms and a small number of highly visual concerts at select venues. Believing in a "live is best" approach, the band rarely writes traditional songs, usually relying on fate to deliver songs through extended jams. Often these jams require an element of editing to bring them down to digestible lengths, although sometimes, as was the case with The Moon Shimmers With Secrets, a full album can appear entirely through live, and unedited, improvisation. Described recently as "the most innovative band around", their fans find them reminiscent of Tangerine Dream, The Orb, Herbie Hancock, Gong, Spaceheads, Ryksöpp, and even Manuel Göttsching, the band cites few of these as influences. No doubt if you are fans of these groups, Fältsånger could be well worth considering as an addition to your Spotify playlists. Alternatively, you could join the audience at Warrington's Pyramid Arts Centre, this Saturday. Sit back close your eyes and be whisked from the angst of the modern world. Fältsånger are looking to start making appearances further afield, but for now, to experience them you will have to travel to Warrington. Here is your link for tickets and further info' https://linktr.ee/faltsanger
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