The Celestial Carnival was a commission from South Norfolk District Council (SNDC) to create a community carnival event in Loddon in October 2003, to launch their 10-day Celestial Festival.  NORCA worked in partnership with Theatre of Adventure, Spectrum Crafts and SNDC to create a truly participatory and interactive, high quality event.  Taking Holst’s Planet Suite as its starting point, the project mixed professional and amateur performers, working with local schools and community groups.  Nearly 250 people took part in the parade and over 2,000 came to watch.

The project/parade included:

Characters developed by Theatre of Adventure for five of the planets, Jupiter, Mars, Mercury, Venus and Saturn.

The development of street performance skills with teams of young people from Loddon Middle School.  The routines developed were performed alongside a professional performer to musical excerpts from the Planet Suite arranged by Marcus Patteson, played through amazing mobile PA’s designed by Nick Warburton. 

Costumes designed and made by Year 8 pupils at Loddon High School. 

Constellation costumes created and worn by members of the local residents’ association. 

Lanterns created by children from Junior schools from across the South Norfolk area, all made under the watchful eye of Pat Howe.  The children paraded with their parents.

Dancers from the local school of dance.

This project has been particularly important in enabling us to develop a model for a high profile, interactive, community carnival event of this nature, and developing the creative work of the organisations involved.  Funded by Arts Council through South Norfolk District Council.

Performers:

• Jupiter: Charlotte Arculus
• Mars: Jenny Holland
• Mercury: Sian Croose
• Venus: Gerry Furley
• Saturn: Saffron Paffron
• Stage Manager: Jodi Watson

A big thank you to everyone who helped and took part, and especially to Heidi Hadley & Hat Johnstone of SNDC, who did so much to make it happen, and to ensure the safe, smooth running of the event.

Schools: Loddon High School, Loddon Middle School, Aplington, Primary School, Thurton Primary School, Thurton Primary School, Gillingham First School