10 October 2008
In Toto Theatre’s “Art in the Air” comes to Lord Mayor’s
Show
In Toto Theatre is one of four London groups to have received
£15,000 in funding from the Lord Mayor of the City of London to
build its own float for inclusion in this year’s prestigious Lord
Mayor’s Show.
In the coming weeks, more than 75 people including recent arts
graduates, children and young people will be hard at work learning
new skills and developing their creative and artistic flair to
entertain around 300,000 spectators when the parade hits the
streets of London on Saturday 8 November.
In Toto combines puppetry, live music, story-telling and dance
to create a “total” theatre experience for children, families and
young people, primarily in the Lambeth and Southwark areas of South
London. Based in the Colombo Sports and Community Centre on
London’s South Bank, the group will be hosting workshops in street
dance, circus skills, musical percussion, mask and puppet-making
and body/face painting, working closely with the youth initiative
based at the sports centre itself.
Reflecting the theme of “Art in the Air” their Show entry will
feature brightly-coloured costumes, expressionistic in style,
inspired by the artist Miro. Participants will carry all kinds of
weird and wonderful creature creations and droll puppet figures, in
particular a colourful array of bird puppets and masks. They
will be accompanied by a street jazz band with saxophones and
trumpets playing alongside bird whistles and theatrical sound
effects.
Sarah Carter at In Toto Theatre said: “We’re very excited at
taking part in our first Lord Mayor’s Show. It’s a great
opportunity for our young people to learn new skills in the design
and creation of the masks, costumes and float. We’re determined to
be one of the most colourful and lively entries in this year’s
Show.”
The Lord Mayor’s community float scheme extends links between
the Square Mile and neighbouring City fringe boroughs. Sponsorship
in terms of finance and through expert workshops allows group
participants to develop their talents – which are demonstrated on
the day to the Show’s audience across the world.
Ends
Notes to eitors
Facts about the Lord Mayor’s Show:
- First Lord Mayor was elected in 1215; the Show is now in its
793rd year.
- It welcomes in the 681st Lord Mayor of the City of London.
- The Show takes place annually on the second Saturday in
November.
- At 5.00pm, the Lord Mayor will light the touch paper to the
Lord Mayor’s Fireworks display on the River Thames between
Blackfriars and Waterloo Bridge. A team of eight
pyrotechnicians takes two days to set more more than half a tonne
of giant fireworks, some of which shoot more than 600ft into the
air. It is the largest firework display in London.
- The word “float”, used to describe components of a parade or
procession, is derived from the Lord Mayor’s Show when originally
the exhibits would do just that - “float” along the Thames in
barges.
- The Pageantmaster, Dominic Reid, is responsible for organising
the logistics of the Show – this includes arranging for the lifting
and checking of 3,500 manhole covers, installation of 4,000
grandstand seats and 6,300 galvanised crowd barriers and laying of
43 tonnes of sand.
- This year there are 6,100 participants, 71 floats, 13 bands of
all shapes and sizes, 200 horses and 220 vehicles - from Morris
Minors to open top buses and even a Santa sleigh!
- To enjoy the celebrations, get to the City for the morning of
Saturday 8th November and nab a place on the well-marked route. The
procession will weave its way from Guildhall in the heart of the
City, through the historic streets of the Square Mile, passing the
Mansion House and St. Paul’s Cathedral before continuing to the
Royal Courts of Justice on the Strand.
- For more details on the Lord Mayor’s Show, including route,
timings and road closures, go to
www.lordmayorshow.org
About the Role of the Lord Mayor:
The Lord Mayor of the City of London acts as an international
ambassador for the UK business and financial services industry. He
spends around 80 days a year, traveling to around 20 countries to
promote this industry and the Square Mile as a place of excellence
in which to do business. As head of the City of London the Lord
Mayor is involved with local government and London-wide issues,
from the City of London's work in the regeneration of neighbouring
boroughs to transport and environmental issues which affect the
City. On behalf of the Sovereign and the Government, he also acts
as host when the City of London provides hospitality for visiting
heads of state and foreign dignitaries.
About the City of London Corporation:
The ancient City of London Corporation has a 21st-century role
supporting the business city as the world’s leading international
financial and business centre. The City of London Corporation
provides local government services for the City of London “Square
Mile” at the heart of London – but its responsibilities also extend
far beyond the City boundaries and include paying for and running
the Barbican Centre, Epping Forest, Hampstead Heath, and three
wholesale food markets, as well as acting as the London Port Health
Authority.
Press enquiries
Lesley Mair, City of London
T: 020 7332 1754; 07785 528 453
E:
lesley.mair@cityoflondon.gov.uk