Plastic pollution and climate change tackled in premiere of stunning outdoor aerial performance for Coventry City of Culture 2021

This August Bank Holiday weekend, Coventry City of Culture Trust and leading physical theatre company Highly Sprung present the premiere of CastAway, a stunning new outdoor performance that tackles the ever-present plastic pollution in our waterways and is a core part of the city’s approach to ‘Green Futures’. Green Futures is one of Coventry’s flagship cultural programmes, aiming to make the city the the greenest and most environmentally conscious UK City of Culture to date.

The show brings a brand new approach to aerial theatre, featuring a unique, fully gyroscopic aerial rig which elevates performers over nine metres up into the air, promising a unique and captivating production to delight audiences of all ages.

CastAway examines the realities and complexities of the climate crisis, and looks forward with hope to a more positive, sustainable future for the city. The performance premieres at the Canal Basin and conveys a powerful environmental message supported by the Canal & River Trust.

Highly Sprung, who are based at the newly opened Daimler Powerhouse, have been working in Coventry for over 20 years, and have a reputation for producing bold, environmentally led outdoor theatre. CastAway uses dynamic, lyrical movement to interrogate today’s ‘throwaway society’ and is their response to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch – a floating island of everlasting plastic that has is now 6½ times the size of the UK.

Featuring an all-female cast, it tells the story of two characters, the Disposables, who are polluting the city’s canals. Their actions awaken the Keeper of the Waterways who rises up to challenge them and guide them to a more compassionate way of behaving. The piece is set to a beautiful soundtrack by award-winning composer Tom Haines. 

Earlier this year, CastAway received royal attention when Highly Sprung performed a preview for HRH Prince Charles of Wales, who has a longstanding commitment to environmental concerns.

“We can’t wait to show the world this incredible new performance that has been in development over the last 2 years. We are passionate believers in the role theatre can play in starting conversations on difficult topics such as the climate crisis and pollution. The prevalence of plastics and disposables in our canals and waterways can easily feel overwhelming, but with CastAway we aim to leave audiences feeling hopeful, inspiring real action and change.”

Sarah Worth, CastAway Director

“Our Green Futures Programme aims to highlight the range of issues that affect climate crisis with a focus on our natural environment. In partnership with artists in the city, like the nationally acclaimed Highly Sprung, we hope to encourage our audiences to think about their green footprint and to make personal changes that can halt the pace of climate change.”

“CastAway leads a conversation about waste and pollution and the impact that this has on our waterways and more widely the global climate crisis.”

“Coventry City of Culture has put environmental awareness and sustainability at the heart of its vision. Brilliant shows like CastAway will help deliver a strong message to audiences to inspire change.”

Chenine Bhathena, Creative Director at Coventry City of Culture Trust

CastAway features as part of Coventry 2021 alongside a busy programme of arts and cultural activity in the city. To watch this free outdoor performance, simply come along to the Coventry Canal Basin on the August Bank Holiday Weekend.

CastAway will be performed at:

Coventry Canal Basin, Sat 28^th & Sun 29^th August 2021, 12:30pm & 4:30pm