Bringing together a last minute finale show for Green Man Festival
The Green Man Festival is an independent music and arts festival held annually in the Bannau Brycheiniog in Wales. The festival traditionally burns a large sculpture of ‘The Green Man’ at the end of the festival. Throughout the weekend, festival goers write wishes and notes and tie them to the green man to be burnt.
This year, due to wildfires in the area and the prolonged heat the festival could not close with the traditional sculpture burn. This was such a shame as the structure had been built already and the tradition is something the attendees look forward to. It is a lovely way to bring everyone together for the closing ceremony.
The festival directors and performing arts producer Zoe Munn, considered lots of options for a way to create a spectacle as big and impactful as the traditional burn but at short notice.
Our very own Billy Alwen had been mentoring Gwen Thompson, director of a new show at the festival, and was asked to step in at the last minute to help work with the festival production team to find an alternative to the burn of the sculpture.
Using some of our existing costumes which were already on site, Billy brought in our LED dress, a tech team and aerial artist Elena Marina on the Saturday. We worked with artists and producers on site including our new producer Nix Pretlove, rigger Howie Morley, Zoe Munn Performing Arts Producer, aerial artist Daisy Williams and the incredible festival production team to help create a new show. It showed that anything is possible when a team of people come together with real passion and drive.
The first challenge was to recruit 30 umbrella performers in less than 24 hours. Luckily several performing artists who were performing for the Back of Beyond stage and walkabout artists were all really keen to to be part of the closing ceremony.
Musicians Jonnny Lynch from Pictish trail, Hot Chip’s Alexis Taylor, and Welsh harpist Cerys Hafana who were already at the festival, agreed to play in the show.
On Sunday morning the festival production team managed to bring in a crane and that evening after working together all day, a beautifully memorable show was brought to life.
We are so pleased that we got to bring a little Cirque Bijou magic to the Green Man Festival and hope to be back in the future.
You can learn more about our signature acts like the LED Dress and Umbrellas here.
Photographs from Crown copyright Visit Wales and photographer Dan Struthers.