The Lost Words: Told in Gold

Recommissioned by Bolton School and supported by Arts Council England, The Lost Words: Told in Gold was brought to life in the school grounds before a tour across the local area visiting Bolton at Home community centres and a stint in Manchester’s Heaton Park.

Aims

The intention was to bring an affordable theatre and creative outdoor learning package to local primary schools and communities who may not access theatre due to prohibitive travel and ticket costs.

Background

The production is the official adaptation of the book The Lost Words by Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris, adapted and directed by Collette Murray. The show, suitable for family audiences and the young at heart of any age, takes its audience into a giant goldfinch nest and then along a woodland theatre-trail featuring stunning 3D installations of Morris’ golden illustrations and Macfarlane’s words. Audiences were invited to seek, find and speak the lost words and spells that were wrapped around trees, in the undergrowth and perched on branches like starlings. 

Resources

The School’s Director of Creative Partnerships worked with Undersong Productions and Bolton at Home to produce a successful ACE bid submission, co-ordinate an outdoor theatre build, advertise the offer and co-ordinate in-house audiences, primary school and public visits. The School provided match and in-kind support for this project including expertise from the School’s Estates team, rehearsal space and partnership brokerage.

Impact

All children from the School’s Primary Division Infant and Junior schools watched the show, as did Year 7 pupils and theatre students from the Senior Divisions.

Local primary school children and their teachers were also invited to Bolton School production. The show and related community arts work were featured in a documentary for French television, on regional radio and BBC Breakfast television. The show then travelled to community centres across Bolton, offering free theatre in priority districts of the town. The project employed a team of freelance actors, stage managers, a producer and director. Bolton’s Culture Champions were given audience management and access training as part of the BCEP’s caretaking of their training.

Frequency

This event took place over a three month period in the summer of 2022. There are future bookings for the production in the NW region following it’s post-COVID recommission.