FLOW Future Life of our Ocean’s Wealth
FLOW – Future Life of Our Ocean’s Wealth – was Imagineer’s Coventry City of Culture 2021 Project. A project made of three parts – Navigate, Activate, Create.
FLOW aimed to engage children, communities and artists with Ocean recovery through a creative arts framework, inspiring and developing awareness, nurturing care and challenging everyone to consider both their own personal and our collective environmental responsibility.
In April 2022 FLOW culminated in a performance called ‘Milesians – The Coming of the Gaels’ a large-scale outdoor spectacle with ‘Turning the Tide – An Ocean’s Fair’ running alongside it in a Big Top Tent.
The three parts of the FLOW project
NAVIGATE Part 1
In September 2021 we reconnected young learners from Primary Schools in Coventry with Blue Spaces, developing environmental awareness by exploring both the wealth and health of our waterways and oceans. They co-created powerful performances and artworks which provoked action amongst their peer group and communities.
Navigate was delivered by Imagineer in partnership with Warwickshire Wildlife Trust and Canal & Rivers Trust.
ACTIVATE Part 2
Turning the Tide’ An Ocean Fair was a family-friendly event where audiences experienced the wealth of our oceans and the major threats it faces, and how we can all play a part in Ocean recovery. The event included VR, sound, film, exhibition, performance and hands-on experiences. There was a marketplace where conversations with local, national and global environmental organisations could be had, to find out how to get involved in ocean recovery and take action in the #30×30 campaign.
‘Turning the Tide’ was delivered by Imagineer in partnership with Media Mania and in collaboration with our Transformation NEETS programme (16–25 year olds not in education, employment or training) to programme and deliver the event.
CREATE Part 3
‘Milesians – Coming of the Gaels’ – a large-scale outdoor performance with themes which still resonate today of migration, cultural identity, cultural co-existence and the ocean as the great connector. A celebration of the healing power of storytelling combining theatre, aerial circus skills, acrobatics and a stunning afro-celtic soundtrack.
The mystical tale started in Egypt with the healing of a child (bitten by a snake) and a prophesy that the child’s descendants would wander the earth for 400 years, before settling in a land with no snakes. The descendants – the Milesians, who were forced to migrate from Egypt through Africa and Europe, eventually reaching Galicia, Northern Spain. They set sail from Galicia and discovered the Island of Ireland occupied by the mythical, supernatural tribe of the Gods – the Tuatha Dé Danann where a mighty battle ensued.
Milesians was created by Imagineer’s Artistic Director Kathi Leahy – partnering with Felicity Simpson and
performers from Circolombia, Luka Owen and Rebel Manifesto Aerial, and Johnny Donnelly – Arcana.
The future plan is to take this Epic performance ‘Milesian’s – Coming of the Gaels’ on tour very soon.
Artistic Director Kathi Leahy worked with a team of artists to produce FLOW, including:
NAVIGATE
Performers
Miriam O’Brien
Aizah Khan
Niyi Bello
John Leahy
Artist facilitators
Dave Mills Media Mania
Luke Weaver Media Mania
Dylan Birch Media Mania (Trainee)
Katie O’Sullivan
Eleanor Fitton
Tara Rutledge
Brenda Buijs
Sarah Rabone
ACTIVATE
Jess Pinson
Media Mania partnership
Transformations and NEETS
John Leahy
Monday Night Makers
CREATE
Milesian’s Creative Artists
Musical Director Johnny Donnelly
Creative Engineer Nick Martin
Set Designer Phil Eddolls
Lighting & Projection Designer Arnim Freiss
Aerial Choreographer and Consultant Clare Anderson
Aerial Choreographer and Consultant Luka Owen
Circolombia Artist Director/Producer Felicity Simpson
Download to find out more about our Creative Artists
FLOW was supported by:
Coventry City of Culture 2021
Coventry Irish Society
EFS (European Social Fund)
Media Mania
Medwell Hyde
Circolombia
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust
Canal & River Trust
Heart of England
Coventry City Council
Transformation and NEETS
Monday Night Makers
CREATE REVIEWS – ‘Milesian’s – Coming of the Gaels’
‘A masterful marriage of physical storytelling, music and ancient myth. Highly recommended’
“What a stunning production. The whole family was absolutely buzzing after seeing the show this evening”
“Magical storytelling”
‘Incredible show! Hope this is not the end and that the production can be taken far and wide!’
‘What a wonderful production of ‘The coming of the Gaels’! The choreography was spectacular and so much talent on the stage! Loving what the City of Culture is bringing to Coventry’
‘Caroline’s performance was amazing, weaving everything together skilfully and her signing was beautiful’
“Unique and wonderful show”
‘It was superb and I was blown away by the whole show. From start to finish, I felt like I was part of the action, well done to all involved…’
“Absolutely brilliant!!!!”
“Blown away by this amazing show with narration by Caroline Parker…”
“Every aspect of it was outstanding; storytelling, acrobatics, dance, music and set.”
“A magical night.”
‘It was absolutely brilliant. Well done all. Caroline and the whole crew were amazing!’
“What a fabulous performance!!! Stunning!!”
‘It was a wonderful evening. The storytelling and whole production was brilliant. Congratulations to everyone involved’
‘ Great night’s entertainment’
‘Amazing performance, we really enjoyed it. Well done to everyone involved’
‘Masterminded by Kathi Leahy and Felicity Simpson, this three-way collaboration between Coventry-based outdoor performance specialists Imagineer, South American circus company Circolombia….and Earlsdon-based Rebel Manifesto Aerial, tells the epic story of the coming of the Gaels to Ireland from Egypt…this magnificently inventive production is, at once, a multi-sensory feast for the imagination and a compassionate plea for mutual understanding across languages and borders….Told with precision and unparalleled physical dexterity, I was both emotionally invested and utterly amazed by the power of the physical storytelling on display, such was the skill with which the cast shifted effortlessly between shapes, moods and settings….. whilst it’s difficult to isolate any one standout moment, the seduction and poisoning of Gadelius (daughter of the Scythian Warrior King Niul and Egyptian princess Scota) by a serpent, was – quite literally, hypnotic to behold, as was the deeply moving spectacle of the Milesians first leaving their homeland…represented here as one wave-like, huddled mass of human rubbish, moving as one unit which dragged itself along the sands…the influence of the ocean is never far away from Kathi Leahy’s mythic universe, and perhaps therein lies the key to this beautiful and emotive piece of theatre….In a stunning final scene, we witness conqueror and conquered unite in an intricate aerial ballet (which is worth the ticket price alone!) …the interlocked aerial dancers offered the perfect metaphor for the fragility of our own civilisation…Milesians: The Coming of the Gaels is, in every respect, an ‘epic’ night’s outdoor entertainment and the perfect show with which to herald the triumphant return of outdoor arts to Coventry post-Covid. A masterful marriage of physical storytelling, music and ancient myth. Highly recommended’. 4 Stars, Katherine Ewing – What’s On Magazine.
ACTIVATE REVIEWS – ‘Turning the Tide – an Oceans Fair’
‘The Ocean Fair was wonderful – the boys and I thoroughly enjoyed it’
‘A really fantastic event. My 12 year old had a great time and learnt so much’
“Well done to everyone involved. The whole week at Bishop Ullathorne was a great success. We saw so many happy children in the Big Top during the week.”
‘The tsunami installation was just amazing and we loved all of the other activities too’
‘Congratulations on such a successful project’
NAVIGATE TESTIMONIALS
‘We watched the film it was wonderful – I thought all of the children and their ideas were amazing. Year 5 loved it and clapped afterwards! Thank you again for the most amazing experience.’ Claire Littlewood, Deputy Headteacher St. John Vianney School, Coventry commenting on The Big Ocean Sharing Film
‘Thanks for sharing. Looks like a really great bit of work and it was very uplifting to see the young participants so excited to be engaging with the Sherbourne.’ Alex Jones from Warwickshire Wildlife Trust commenting on The Big Ocean Sharing Film
‘just finished watching the film, well done to you all for all the hard work, it has a very sincere feel about it and a so important message / call to action.’ John Leahy Artist commenting on The Big Ocean Sharing Film
What a great journey we’ve been on….thank you for driving it and the excellent organisation and communication which has ensured smooth running of such a complex project, well done. Looking forward to the next instalment!! Michael Doyle, Headteacher St. Elizabeth’s School, Coventry
I would like to thank everyone involved in delivering the Flow project. It has been a fantastic experience for the children and they have learnt so many new skills and, most importantly, they have learnt about the importance of protecting our Oceans for the future…..This has been an excellent opportunity to work together as a MAC. My thanks to all the team who led the project and for all the hard work behind the scenes. Veronica Gosling, Headteacher St. John Vianney School, Coventry
The children are absolutely loving the work each week….They were so engaged and it encouraged them to ask so many interesting questions. A great opportunity for the children to be part of as we would never have the knowledge or technology to offer this in everyday lessons. Laura Hogan, Teacher Christ the King, Coventry
The Imagineers have brought fun, knowledge, and expertise to our Year 5 children. Their enthusiasm, ideas, and resources are top class! Organisation and dedication are second to none. We feel privileged to have had the opportunity to work with them. Our children have made unforgettable memories and learned so much about recycling and protecting our planet. They have had fantastic experiences, covering the Arts, Science, Geography, and Music. Giorgina Negro, Teacher St. Thomas More School, Coventry
The children were able to work together in teams, in a wonderful environment and engage with each other in a way that has not been possible over the past 18 months. It was an amazing site to see. Exciting, engaging and entertaining. A lovely experience enjoyed by all. Heather Cowell, Deputy Headteacher, St. Augustine School, Coventry
“The Flow Inspiration Day provided wonderful experiences for the children involved. The element of surprise engaged our pupils, who were amazed by the ‘ship’ which appeared on our site with its accompanying crew. The children were enthused by the tasks set, which incorporated a range of curriculum areas linked to the theme of water conservation and utilised connections to the history and geography of our city.
The creative approach to workshops captivated the children, who participated fully throughout the day; opportunities for students to work collaboratively with others were maximised. The performers entertained with great enthusiasm and pitched learning extremely well, ensuring that tasks were great fun and accessible to all.
Learning opportunities linked to National Curriculum objectives for science, history, geography, design technology, art and design and music were woven into the day to ensure that children were immersed in the theme.
We are delighted to be part of this City of Culture Project and we have no doubt that the children will gain a great deal from their participation.
A huge thank you to the FLOW Team for their hard work, creativity and inspiration.”
Children and staff at St John Vianney Catholic Primary School – September, 2021
“A fantastic WOW event to launch the FLOW project at Christ the King. The drama, dancing and music had all of the children engaged (and adults alike!). Hands on activities, a lot of which were child led. All of the learning experiences could be extended to future development inside and outside of the classroom.”
“Learning outside of the classroom at its best. The children were able to explore outside spaces that are local to them, giving them context in their learning. Investigations related to science, geography and also built on team work skills, communication and collaboration with others.”
“An amazing experience for all the children allowing them to participate in a range of new activities. Learning how we can protect our oceans and environment and how we can spread our message in an array of different ways. The children were so enthused and excited they were passionate about what they were doing.”
Staff and children of Christ the King Catholic Primary School – September, 2021
