Miscreations Theatre brought their Wilding Theatre Project of workshops, performance and an ‘Earth Giant' to Orton this September thanks to support from the Westmorland Dales Landscape Partnership Scheme (funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund) and funding from Arts Council England. 

Pictured: Children from Orton CE Primary with their Earth Giant

The Wilding Theatre Project delighted local school children with their intelligent and playful investigation into our relationship with the natural world, gently educating them about how the preservation of the planet and all its inhabitants: animal, insect, plant and human contribute to a rich and rewarding community for us all.

Nicola Estill, Community Engagement Officer with the Westmorland Dales Landscape Partnership Scheme said,

“It has been wonderful to be able to provide support for such an innovative and engaging season of summer events in the Westmorland Dales.

“The theatre group made us all think about how we can develop a healthy and sustainable relationship with the natural world and made it loads of fun for the children, parents and teachers!”

Children from Orton CE Primary, Asby Endowed Primary and Crosby Ravensworth Primary Schools took part in theatre workshops, making cob to build a living earth ‘Dreaming Giant’ sculpture and enjoyed a ‘Wilding’ theatre performance at the end of a busy summer of activities.

Pictured: Children from Orton CE Primary using cob to build a living earth Dreaming Giant sculpture

Emma Pomfret, Head Teacher, Orton CE Primary School said,

“We loved the Wilding theatre project!  There has been so much positive talk of what everyone experienced and that performance was just out of this world. 

“The children have been talking about going to see the giant again on the way to and from school.  We feel really privileged to have been given such an amazing experience and also to have an ‘Earth Giant’ on our school field. We are very lucky.”

Rebecca Jameson, Director and Performer of Miscreations said,

“Wilding (also known as ‘re-wilding’) offers us all the opportunity to develop a more healthy and sustainable relationship with the natural world; theatre offers us the opportunity to explore this opportunity with creativity, imagination and no small amount of magic hence, Wilding Theatre”.

This collaborative project delivered residencies over the summer in schools and communities across the region including Allendale, Orton, Otterburn, Hexham, and Barnard Castle.

The ‘Earth Giants’ will become a place to revisit at different times of the year to see how they are becoming ‘wilded’. As these giants evolve and grow, footage from each season will be shared on the Miscreations website.

For more information about how you can get involved in this project and where you can visit the giant sculptures, visit www.miscreations.co.uk, follow them on Facebook (@Miscreationstheatre) or email [email protected]