Giant puppet set for performance as Yeovil celebrates 'Super Saturday'
The Autin Dance Theatre company, will be performing “Out of the Deep Blue” with the puppet - which needs five people to make it come to life
A 13-foot tall puppet will be in Yeovil town centre today.
It'll be starring in a play - being repeated throughout the day at the Quedam Shopping Centre.
The puppet, operated by five people, will be out to help celebrate the town's Octagon Theatre getting money to support arts and cultural events in Somerset.
It's as today (16 September) 'Super Saturday' - a Town Council initiative which happens once a year to encourage locals to 'wander, relax and explore'.
The company responsible for the creation, Autin Dance Theatre company, will be performing “Out of the Deep Blue”, telling the magical story of Eko, a sea giant who rises from the deep ocean and who encounters, on the shore, a courageous little girl called Violet.
The performance has been made possible thanks to The Octagon Theatre becoming an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) and being awarded an investment of £760,000 to support arts and cultural activities in Somerset over the next three years.
Katherine Hoskins, Arts Engagement Manager for The Octagon Theatre and Westlands Entertainment Venue, said: “While The Octagon is closed, ahead of the exciting transformation work due to take place, we are excited to bring amazing performance outside of our venues and find new ways to entertain and connect with our audiences and introduce new people to our work.”
Cllr Federica Smith-Roberts, Lead Member for Communities, Housing and Culture at Somerset Council, added: “We’re excited to welcome the Autin Dance Theatre to Somerset to entertain residents with Eko, the sentient sea giant during Super Saturday.
“We’re dedicated to supporting the arts and cultural sector with the generous NPO funding from Arts Council England and will utilise it to bring creativity, inspiration and enjoyment to Somerset communities.
“We’d like to thank Yeovil Town Council for organising this fantastic local event.”
Autin Dance Theatre will be performing Out of the Deep Blue Deep three times throughout the day at 10.30am, 12.45pm and 3.15pm at The Quedam Shopping Centre.
There'll be a number of community stalls, performers, food outlets and vintage fairground games spread across the town for Super Saturday.
You can find out more about the event here.
Find out more information about Yeovil Super Saturday on their official Facebook page.