Congratulations to all those from the Isle of Wight who took part in the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant on Sunday afternoon.
More than 250 Islanders were involved with the once-in-a-lifetime ‘Four Nations and the Queen’s Beasts’ procession, created and directed by Isle of Wight-based carnival company, Shademakers UK.
Paul’s vision brought to life
Paul McLaren’s (Artistic Director) vision of ‘The Queen’s Beasts’ was brought to life as 250 performers and musicians in the most incredible kinetic costumes paraded down The Mall towards Buckingham Palace at the start of Act Three of the Pageant: Let’s Celebrate.
The threat of thunderstorms and heavy rain thankfully held off, as the Pageant was televised in all its glory to more than a billion people around the World.
McLaren: The birth of a new age
Paul told News OnTheWight,
“We Elizabethans have emerged from a pandemic at the closing years of a Queen’s reign. The world we now face is a very different one from that of her beginning.
“In time to come we will look back at this moment in time as the birth of a new age, of new expectations and hope and at its core, the energy and creativity and hope of a brave new world.”
Johnson: Emotions on another level
The Pageant saw 20 unicorns, beautifully designed and made here on the Island, parade down The Mall on Sunday.
Jane Johnson was one of those performing as a unicorn. She told News OnTheWight,
“Performing in the pageant was an incredible experience, but the emotion I felt walk through Admiralty Arch and down The Mall was on another level!”
Sheaff: Really was a once in a lifetime experience
Also part of the procession were four very large majestic white swans. Amber Sheaff was lucky enough to be chosen as a swan.
Amber told News OnTheWight,
“This was my first ever carnival experience and it was incredible.
“I loved waving at the children and seeing their reactions to all the costumes and how energetic the crowd was.
“It really was a once in a lifetime experience.”
Ventnor Comic Jazz Band
Also taking part and completing the procession for The Queen’s Beasts were the Ventnor Comic Jazz Band.
The commentary of the live coverage paid tribute to the band first appearing in the 1894 Ventnor Carnival as a ‘mop brigade’.
Get to see them in person
Shademakers UK will be bringing The Queen’s Beasts spectacle to the streets of the Isle of Wight at three carnivals this summer.
Catch this part of the Platinum Jubilee Pageant at Newport, Sandown and Ryde main parades. You won’t want to miss this.
McHugh: Grateful, honoured and humbled
Paddy McHugh, one of the Shademakers stewards and an organiser of Newport Carnival said,
“I was so grateful, honoured and humbled to have played a small part this creation.
“The whole team are all amazing and we cannot wait to bring The Queen’s Beasts to Newport’s Centenary Carnival this summer!”
Watch the footage
Follow the link below and jump forward two hours and 44 minutes to see the start of the Shademakers’ section of the Pageant.
Well done to all involved, you did the Isle of Wight proud. To all those at Shademakers, we hope you find time to get some well earned rest.
Watch on the Jubilee Pageant on BBC iPlayer.
Background
Listen to the podcast with Shademakers’ directors Sharon George and Paul McLaren as they announce news of the Pageant exclusively to News OnTheWight during Ventnor Fringe 2021.
See News OnTheWight’s interviews and videos from earlier dress rehearsals on the Island.
You can also watch the Ventnor Comic Jazz Band preparing for the Pageant ahead of the Jubilee.
Image: © BBC
