Carnival

Making Spaces

To create an effective carnival one of the first considerations should be to secure a suitable space to work in.

If you would like Small World Theatre personnel to work in your community creating fantastic giant parade figures, massive puppets a load of costume etc. then we will need a dry space to work as well as the usual electric power points and sufficient lighting. I winter it has to have a heat source

It should also be able to be made secure to protect the work done and any tools left overnight. A sink with drinkable water is useful and hot water an advantage. The doors should be big enough to allow the finished giants to exit without having to take it apart excessively

The workshop space should be accessible to all participants bearing in mind that some communities may have social divisions, feuds or distinct traditions so the space itself should not exclude people because of it's "social geography"

Making this Phoenix was quick as the space was warm, dry, had a kitchen , the community accepted it and it was not needed the next day so we did not have to clear out for the scouts etc

it got internal 12v lights and a choreographed set of dancing birds to accompany it.

It is amazing that some organisers leave procuring the workspace to the last minute and in some ways it is the most important aspect of the process

Warehouses,industrial units, school halls, village halls, church halls and other large spaces like barns can be used but we do tend to have to take them over for the build period.

Sometimes in summer or on a carnival day we can do limited sessions of work under our awning

this is relatively easy to set up and can attract more participants if it is in a prominent place in the community. it is also handy to be set up near a house that can supply essentials like electricity or cups of tea.

Working in a car park is not a sensible option but ours below served as a rehearsal space

The Fisherman was assembled in this unused garage. The floor was thick with grease so it was covered in black plastic sheeting. It was not ideal but it's location on the edge of the community was an advantage.

This plaster mould for a large head was made in our own workshop and has been the basis for many different giant heads. The lighting is similar to the old trick of closing one eye to create the optical illusion that the negative mould impression is a positive cast. using pre made moulds can cut down the build time on site.

One of the many reasons we have spent so long raising the £1.2Million to build this is the need for a large space with big doors

Here is a link to check out the progress of our new building.Canolfan Byd Bychan / Small World Centre

Things to consider

What are you going to do with the giants after the parade?

Use them next year?

recycle parts of them?

Ask us to take them away so we can use them or recycle them?

Ask us to store them?

donate them to another group?

sell them on e bay?

Burn Them (health and safety issues) design them with this in mind using natural materials only

most options mean that you need a place to store them at least for a bit after the parade day

Small World Theatre Canolfan Byd Bychan Bath House Road, Cardigan, Ceredigion Wales SA43 1JY Tel: 01239 615952 Fax :01239 615835 e mail info@smallworld.org.uk