Illuminating celebration for Sefton Borough of Culture
A trio of light installations will illuminate key Sefton landmarks this week as part of celebrations for Borough of Culture 2020.
Waterloo and Bootle Town Halls and The Atkinson in Southport will become giant canvasses as A Nightingale’s Song unfolds over three consecutive nights from March 13-15.
The trilogy of chapters will weave together into a unique narrative that connects the coastal towns and their people together.
A Nightingale’s Song comes from Illuminos, which also created a stunning light extravaganza for Wirral’s Borough of Culture year.
The company’s Rob Vale explains: “Working with local experts and knowledge, the projections are anchored through following the journey of the Natterjack Toad - the endangered amphibian who lives in the Sefton dunes.
“Known as the Birkdale Nightingale because of its extraordinary night-time song, it becomes the character we follow, symbolising the growth and transition through ever changing stages of egg, tadpole, and toad - three chapters set across the three locations.
“The journey will take us through time and space, on boats and over dunes, through war time and summer sandcastles. Join us for these beautiful celebratory events built around storytelling, with children and families in mind, but inspiring for all.”
Artist's impressions of The Nightingale's Song at Waterloo (above) and The Atkinson (top)
The first part of the story will unfold on Waterloo Town Hall on Friday, March 13. The next night it will move to Bootle Town Hall, ending at The Atkinson on Sunday, March 15.
All shows are free and set to start at 8pm each evening. Organisers are expecting large crowds and are suggesting people try and use public transport wherever possible.
The Borough of Culture (BoC) title is awarded by the Liverpool City Region’s Combined Authority to one of its six local authorities (Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral) on a rotating, annual basis. St Helens held the title in 2018 and Wirral last year.
You can follow Sefton’s year and programme events on Facebook and Twitter @sefton2020