from Talking Birds touring pack prepare to dive

What is it? The Whale is an utterly unique, visually stunning aluminium structure on wheels which can be sited outdoors near water, offsetting a building, or on a festival site. Audiences enter through the Whale s opening mouth one at a time or in small family groups to experience a witty and charming 3 minute theatre show, performed by a solo actor just for them.

What happens inside? As the mouth of the Whale closes, you discover yourself inside a submarine. Opening a red velvet curtain reveals a submariner named Jonah. He has a dilemma - how to communicate a message of great importance to his loved one on shore, using the regulation 40 words prescribed by the Operations Manual for Submariners. The sailor sings you his message, which you are asked to pass on in the form of a small, paper whale, which he has made for you during the course of the performance. Never liked the name Jonah anyway. Bit of liability tell you the truth. Specially down here, causes me no end of grief.

Who is it for? The performance is engaging and accessible for all ages 6 to 100. It is not specifically a children s show, though it appeals to family audiences. The story is resonant and thought provoking on a number of levels and is guaranteed to disarm even the most hardened of festival/theatre-goers.

How do audiences react? Our performers put audience members who are sometimes a little nervous to begin with - entirely at their ease. Surprise, delight and disbelief are the common characteristics of people on their way out! Comments have included: I was transfixed, amused, and highly entertained. You leave feeling lifted, warm...and with a small gift. Like nothing I have experienced before.

Is it physically accessible? The Whale is accessible for wheelchair users and is fitted with an induction loop. Our actors are highly skilled at tailoring performances to individual audience members and can take specific access needs into account.

Touring History? After its first appearance before the magnificent backdrop of Coventry Cathedral, The Whale has visited The National Theatre, Lyric, Hammersmith, Kinsale Arts week, Kilkenny Arts Festival, Terryglass Arts Festival, Dartmouth Regatta, Birmingham Artsfest, Warwick Arts Centre, Larmer Tree Festival and more It has been present at the opening of buildings (swallowing at least one government minister), festive events and launches, and has provided many excellent PR opportunities. Nearly 5000 visitors to date.

What do bookers say about The Whale? another hugely successful visit to Theatre Square. As ever, a joy to work with (Emily Thomas, National Theatre Watch This Space Festival Assistant) It is always a pleasure to have the Whale in Theatre Square and to see all the happy faces on the way out! (Angus MacKechnie, National Theatre Watch This Space Festival Producer)

Is it site-responsive? As well as being ideal for events involving water or environmental themes, the performance can respond to its location and context where appropriate, and can be translated into different languages, with local performers being used.

Who are Talking Birds? Talking Birds is a theatre company based in Coventry, UK known for its astonishing acts of transformation. It has created work using a unique brand of humour, music and visual brilliance in venues both conventional and unconventional across the UK and internationally - from the Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, to Kilkenny Livestock Mart, Ireland to a giant underground car park in Scarborough to a decommissioned hospital in Coventry. The work is often inspired by a place and its history, which it revivifies to give audiences a unique and moving experience. It defines its trademark style as Theatre of Place. www.talkingbirds.co.uk Tel: +44 (0)24 7615 8330

Technical Specifications What is it? The Whale is an aluminium structure permanently mounted on a car trailer, which is towed to the site and then the tow vehicle unhitched. Site: The Whale is best sited outdoors, it works particularly well when sited near water, offsetting a building or providing an iconic feature on a festival site. It is best sited away from loud music etc for the benefit of the audience experience inside. Size: In transit the dimensions are: 5.5m long x 3m wide x 3.5m high. The minimum space required during performances is: 7m long x 5m wide x 5m high. Approx weight (without tow vehicle) is 800kg. Power: No power supply required all equipment self-contained and battery powered. Get-in/get-out: Get-in time from arrival is 45mins-1 hour. Get-out time 45 mins. When staying overnight, secure overnight storage is required for Whale + tow vehicle Front of house: The crew steward the Whale, so no additional FOH staff required, unless the local situation requires this. Access: The Whale is fully accessible for wheelchair users. A hearing loop is installed. Performers are skilled at tailoring performances for individual audience members needs. Ticketing: The Whale works best as a free event amongst other activities/festival events, and serving audiences on a first come, first served basis. However, the event can be ticketed in 5 minute slots.

Weather: The Whale is highly resilient to atmospheric conditions and can continue in all but the most extreme weather, as long as the audience have somewhere sheltered to wait nearby! Lighting: During the day no lighting is required; the Whale can also be highly effective at night when suitably lit. Insurance: The Whale is fully risk assessed and Talking Birds has public liability insurance to the value of 5 million.