Lois Conlan, creator of The Travelling Shadow Theatre arts company, will be showcasing a brand-new show at this year’s festival. ‘The Gunpowder Plot’ is a shadow puppetry play that was specially commissioned by Settle Stories.
Join us on Friday 3rd November to learn why each year, fireworks fill the sky for Bonfire Night. In this unique production, see the explosive story of Guy Fawkes come to life through the artistry of Lois’s shadow puppetry skills. Watch Guy Fawkes and a host of shadowy characters weave through the world of 17th century London in this new take on a story that we have come to know so well.
When Lois is not busy putting together or touring her shows, she can be found either practising her clown skills or working with communities on creative projects. Gurpreet Atwal caught up with Lois to find out more about her journey to becoming a performance artist and what it’s like to work as a shadow puppeteer.
Click here to register for Lois Conlan’s FREE ONLINE event.
Could you tell us a little bit about your journey towards becoming a performance artist and how you became interested in shadow puppetry?
I completed a Fine Art degree in London. However, I felt a little lost afterwards as there wasn’t much guidance with how to use that degree in the real working world. Fortunately, I lived down the road from The Little Angel Theatre (a puppet theatre) in London and I started to volunteer there. That drew me into the world of puppetry, and I found a niche specialism where I could get work. I was initially drawn to shadow puppetry in particular, because you can easily create something extremely effective and at very little cost.
How would you describe your show at this year’s festival in just three words?
Fun, informative, and colourful!
What was the most difficult part of putting together the show? Were there any challenges that you came across during the process?
Having to make all the puppets — it’s time consuming, as you have to make sure that the puppets look effective but also work technically.
How does this show compare to your other performances? What similarities or differences did you encounter as you worked on the project?
I work a lot with shadow puppetry — which is the use of dark shadows with lights. It was fun with this project to really play with the use of colour with the fireworks, and seeing the contrast and elevation this can have with the dark shadows.
It’s been over ten years since you formed The Travelling Shadow Theatre in 2012. What do you feel has been your biggest achievement during this time? And what is your vision for the future of the company?
I’m appreciative of all the opportunities that have come my way and enabled me to grow and learn as an artist. A highlight that does stick out was touring my marionette puppet show ‘Nettles in The Garden’ around the Highlands and islands of Scotland last year.
After working so hard on a project at home, it was lovely to take my show on the road and see audiences respond to it. Also, having the opportunity to travel to some really beautiful places through my work was a real honour.
Over the years, you have created a variety of different puppetry shows. However, is there a core message that you always try to keep in mind and that lies at the heart of all your projects?
I wouldn’t say that there is a core message as such, because each project can be so different. But I do hope that all my work manages to inspire and entertain. Values that I try to bring to each project are joy, wonderment, inclusion, playfulness, curiosity, and hopefully some belly laughs.
Finally, what would you like audiences who watch your show at this year’s festival to remember or take away from your performance?
I hope that they will be inspired to try some shadow puppetry for themselves, learn more about Bonfire Night, be entertained, and that it will bring some wonderment and smiles their way.
Click here to register for Lois Conlan’s FREE ONLINE event.
