Prometheus from Prometheus Awakes. Picture: Tia Lomas
Sarah Shaffi
Thursday, June 21, 2012
12:44 PM
A giant moving, illuminated statue, a net made of humans raised 25 metres in the air, and a production which takes place at night – this is Prometheus Awakes at the Greenwich + Docklands International Festival.
Renowned disabled-led theatre company Graeae, based in Hoxton, has teamed up with the Spanish company La fura dels Baus to put on Prometheus Awakes.
In Greek mythology Prometheus is known for three things – being the creator of fire, being the creator of humans and having his liver eaten by a bird every day as a punishment from Zeus.
The production features both disabled and able-bodied people, and has no words – telling a story through music, puppetry and movement instead, with audio description for blind and partially sighted people.
Amit Sharma, co-director of the production, said: “I hope people go away from this production and say they have seen an amazing piece of outdoor theatre.
“You can look at the politics about disabled people but we want to create a work where people just say: ‘It’s fantastic’.”
Prometheus Awakes will take place in the grounds of the Royal Museums Greenwich tomorrow, and will feature four large set pieces, all operated by cranes.
Prometheus is eight metres tall and is controlled by six volunteers, and will walk amongst the audience.
The two-metre high censer carries 16 volunteer performers, while the wheel is eight metres in circumference, powered by eight volunteers and will roll through the audience.
The human net, created by 42 volunteers and rising 25 metres above the audience, is 12 metres high.
Prometheus Awakes is part of the London 2012 Festival, the cultural programme starting this week and running throughout the Olympics and Paralympics.
Amit, 32, said: “For us to be part of the London 2012 Festival is incredibly important.
“For me it is a huge compliment to be co-artistic director on this because it’s Olympic and Paralympic year.
“Prometheus Awakes is an amazing undertaking. It is the first time in the UK this kind of large-scale outdoor theatre production has been led and done by disabled people.”
Visit www.festival.org.
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