Ad Astra, a spectacle by Shademakers is coming to Shanklin Theatre this week.
Ad Astra fuses carnival with theatre in an epic story of triumph and hope that shows us how even the smallest of creatures can make the biggest impact.
Inspired by Wangari Maathai’s fable of the Hummingbird, Ad Astra tells the story of Kolibri, performed by young dancer Grace Dempsey, who sees her paradise home destroyed. She flees across the land, sea and air to find a place of sanctuary under the guidance of the wise, old Falcon, played by Callum Davies. She eventually realises that she needs to return and help rebuild her home.
From fighting lions and tigers to charging horses, beautiful swans and sea creatures, giant peacocks and an enormous snake, a whole menagerie of creatures will appear on the stage at Shanklin Theatre in an experience like no other.
A dazzling display
The show sees over 250 of Shademakers’ stunning carnival costumes fill the whole auditorium at Shanklin Theatre in a dazzling display. Shademakers, led by Artistic Director Paul McLaren, have a global reputation for creating kinetic carnival costumes that have been seen at various high profile events including the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant, Nice Carnival, the opening of the Olympic Park, countless festivals and events across the country and, of course, the Island’s Carnivals.
National interest
Over the winter, Shademakers presented a number of their costumes in the Ad Astra exhibition at the Quay Arts where visitors could see, up close, the detail and design of these incredible pieces. Anneka Rice presented a Radio 4 show, Open Country, from the exhibition and described the costumes as “a mind blast of colour and glory”.
A cast of over 60 performers
Choreographer Lily George, Theatre Maker Joe Plumb and the whole team Shademakers have collaborated to bring this enormous production to the stage with a community cast of over 60 performers.
Plumb: It’s been a logistical challenge, but will be a massive spectacle
Joe Plumb said,
“It is a show like no other! A logistical challenge getting all these enormous costumes into Shanklin Theatre for the first time.
“It’s a massive spectacle telling an important story through music, drama, dance and carnival that the whole family will enjoy.”
Where and when
Ad Astra takes flight at Shanklin Theatre on 30th on 31st July at 7.30pm and is not to be missed!
Tickets are still available through the website.
Our thanks to Shademakers for sponsoring for this feature. They and other businesses and organisations taking paid promotion enables you to continue reading OnTheWight for free.
