‘We really wanted our summer show to celebrate SURF!’
One of Cornwall’s biggest attractions for the summer was the surf-themed summer show, Wipeout.
Audiences at The National Maritime Museum Cornwall were enthralled by the aerial show which saw is surfers suspended in the air while performing a series of incredible and daring movements – just metres above the ground.
The event recently drew its final crowd having delighted hundreds of families throughout the season.
While the curtain has come down on the show’s NMMC run, organisers say the collaborative roots of the project ensure the performances were just the beginning.
Wipeout was commissioned directly by NMMC. It was seen as an unusual move that created the conditions for local collaboration and gave the project the weight to secure wider funding.
‘We really wanted our summer show to celebrate SURF! and everything it represents,’ says Beth Nicholls, Cross Arts Programming Officer at NMMC.
‘We were keen for something dynamic with lots of movement, audience participation and comedy. I had worked with CScape before and knew they’d come up with something spectacular, so we commissioned them to make it happen.’
With a brief that included words like ‘athletic’ and ‘dynamic,’ Sally Knight, Artist Director at CScape, immediately thought of local aerial dance company, Off the Wall.
‘We’ve got a ready-made piece for festivals’
‘I had worked with Off the Wall before on their aerial rig and I knew it would be perfect – it’s got height and the wow factor,’ explains Sally.
‘So, we fused the CScape trademark: physical comedy, warm-hearted interaction, Cornishness and family fun, with high-quality contemporary dance and aerial splendour. What a brilliant time we’ve had!’
To complete the creative trio, CScape and Off the Wall brought in director, choreographer and writer, Jen Fletcher.
‘It’s been a fantastic process where everything worked really organically,’ says Jen. ‘Sally and I tag-teamed choreography, writing and direction, continually inspired by each other.’
The initial commission from NMMC enabled the development of Wipeout and unlocked match funding from Arts Council England, securing the show’s future beyond its final museum performance.
‘Our funding applications were really strong thanks to the collaborative element and the museum’s backing,’ explains Sally. ‘It meant we could remove barriers like cost and location that prevent some families from attending.’
A five-day rehearsal residency, supported by Hall for Cornwall, helped to shape the production prior to opening.
Post-show workshops, supported by the Marine Conservation Society, explored themes of ocean plastic and marine conservation during Wipeout’s five-week run.
Thanks to additional backing from the Boardmasters’ Foundation, Wipeout will be brought to Nansledan Primary School this week for school children to enjoy. The following week, the rig will be moved to Pennoweth School in Redruth.
‘We’ve got a ready-made piece for festivals, schools and community events – even international bookings, and are looking to tour the show next year,’ says Sally.
‘Wipeout may have finished at the museum, but the journey is just beginning. It’s a legacy project built to travel.’
