Client
Southpaw Dance Company
Location
National Centre for the Written Word, South Sheilds
Client
Southpaw Dance Company
Location
National Centre for the Written Word, South Sheilds
Project Details
A Spectacular Celebration of Language and Movement
Commissioned as The Official Opening Ceremony for the National Centre for the Written Word, The Word, WordPlay was a mass movement spectacle created by Southpaw Dance Company and produced by Event International. Featuring a volunteer cast of 90 performers alongside Southpaw’s professional dancers, this breathtaking performance combined large-scale video and projection by NOVAK, choreography by Robby Graham and Southpaw members, and text by writer Carina Rodney. Through an exhilarating fusion of dance, storytelling, and cutting-edge visuals, WordPlay explored the power of language and its role in shaping our identity, aspirations, and place in the world.
Project Details
A Spectacular Celebration of Language and Movement
Commissioned as The Official Opening Ceremony for the National Centre for the Written Word, The Word, WordPlay was a mass movement spectacle created by Southpaw Dance Company and produced by Event International. Featuring a volunteer cast of 90 performers alongside Southpaw’s professional dancers, this breathtaking performance combined large-scale video and projection by NOVAK, choreography by Robby Graham and Southpaw members, and text by writer Carina Rodney. Through an exhilarating fusion of dance, storytelling, and cutting-edge visuals, WordPlay explored the power of language and its role in shaping our identity, aspirations, and place in the world.
The Brief
Illuminating the Power of Words
Drawing on South Tyneside’s rich literary heritage, WordPlay sought to explore the impact of language on self-perception and opportunity. The performance examined how the words we use—whether about ourselves, others, or the world—can shape our confidence, our fears, and ultimately, our ability to achieve our dreams. The goal was to create a visually striking, emotionally resonant production that blended physical movement with immersive projection, bringing these themes to life in a bold and thought-provoking way.
The Brief
Illuminating the Power of Words
Drawing on South Tyneside’s rich literary heritage, WordPlay sought to explore the impact of language on self-perception and opportunity. The performance examined how the words we use—whether about ourselves, others, or the world—can shape our confidence, our fears, and ultimately, our ability to achieve our dreams. The goal was to create a visually striking, emotionally resonant production that blended physical movement with immersive projection, bringing these themes to life in a bold and thought-provoking way.
Our Response
Transforming Language into a Living Visual Experience
NOVAK played a pivotal role in crafting the visual identity of WordPlay, designing and producing dynamic large-scale projection elements that seamlessly integrated with the choreographed movement and storytelling. The projections acted as a living backdrop, illuminating the performers and amplifying the show’s message in a visually stunning and emotionally powerful way. By merging cutting-edge digital animation with the raw energy of live performance, NOVAK helped create an unforgettable multisensory experience, transforming the stage into a canvas of words, movement, and light. The result was a spectacle that celebrated the beauty, complexity, and transformative power of language, ensuring WordPlay was a fitting and unforgettable inauguration for The Word.
Our Response
Transforming Language into a Living Visual Experience
NOVAK played a pivotal role in crafting the visual identity of WordPlay, designing and producing dynamic large-scale projection elements that seamlessly integrated with the choreographed movement and storytelling. The projections acted as a living backdrop, illuminating the performers and amplifying the show’s message in a visually stunning and emotionally powerful way. By merging cutting-edge digital animation with the raw energy of live performance, NOVAK helped create an unforgettable multisensory experience, transforming the stage into a canvas of words, movement, and light. The result was a spectacle that celebrated the beauty, complexity, and transformative power of language, ensuring WordPlay was a fitting and unforgettable inauguration for The Word.
Credits
Artistic Direction
Artistic Director
Robby Graham
Choreography
Robby Graham & Dancers
Robert Anderson
Rachel Jean Birch
Alicia Colette Meehan
Alys North
Alex Rowland
Clémentine Télesfort
With huge thanks to the community cast members.
Produced by
Producer
Frank Wilson
Video and Projection
NOAVK
Drone Footage
Ross Hannon @ AYTBALL FILM
Kairong Zhu
Calligrapher
Saskia Robertson at Edinburgh Letters
Writer
Narrator
Sound Recordist & Editing
Production Management
ASM
Alisienne Petri
Screen, Stage, Sound, LX
Nitelites and Associates
Safety Management
Filmmaker
Darren ‘Jelly’ O Kane
Photographer
Publicity
Rob Lawson
Credits
Artistic Direction
Artistic Director
Robby Graham
Choreography
Robby Graham & Dancers
Robert Anderson
Rachel Jean Birch
Alicia Colette Meehan
Alys North
Alex Rowland
Clémentine Télesfort
With huge thanks to the community cast members.
Produced by
Producer
Frank Wilson
Video and Projection
NOAVK
Drone Footage
Ross Hannon @ AYTBALL FILM
Kairong Zhu
Calligrapher
Saskia Robertson at Edinburgh Letters
Writer
Narrator
Sound Recordist & Editing
Production Management
ASM
Alisienne Petri
Screen, Stage, Sound, LX
Nitelites and Associates
Safety Management
Filmmaker
Darren ‘Jelly’ O Kane
Photographer
Publicity
Rob Lawson
Other projects
Performance and Theatre
The Paddington Bear Experience
Immersive Visitor Attraction, London
Performance and Theatre
The Paddington Bear Experience
Immersive Visitor Attraction, London
Installation and Exhibition
The Book of Kells Experience
Digital Exhibition, Trinity College Dublin
Installation and Exhibition
The Book of Kells Experience
Digital Exhibition, Trinity College Dublin