In a series of interviews, we are chatting to artists involved with the 2024 Wandsworth Fringe. The Fringe Festival runs from 7th until 23rd June.
In this interview, we chat with Swallow’s Wings Puppetry about Anansi and The Lost Sun which runs at York Library on 16th June.
Where did your arts career begin?
My arts career began here in London, after teaching for a decade and a half. I wanted to bring puppetry to schools and celebrate African Caribbean culture because the arts were not given much importance in government school policies.
My arts career began here in London, after teaching for a decade and a half. I wanted to bring puppetry to schools and celebrate African Caribbean culture because the arts were not given much importance in government school policies.
What can you tell me about your show?
It is a puppet show with traditional West African music that tells one of Anansi's adventures. Anansi is a famous African Caribbean hero, and his journey mirrors the journey of enslaved Africans to the Caribbean and later with the Windrush generation to the UK. The stories were orally transmitted from parents to child, and this is why they are still here today. The show represents the journey of resilience and hope of that culture even after the trauma of slavery and colonization. The audience says, "It was so good; I didn't want it to end!"
It is a puppet show with traditional West African music that tells one of Anansi's adventures. Anansi is a famous African Caribbean hero, and his journey mirrors the journey of enslaved Africans to the Caribbean and later with the Windrush generation to the UK. The stories were orally transmitted from parents to child, and this is why they are still here today. The show represents the journey of resilience and hope of that culture even after the trauma of slavery and colonization. The audience says, "It was so good; I didn't want it to end!"
Where did the idea for the show come from?
I wanted to pay homage to the non-celebrated history of migration and tour schools in areas where children have poor access to the arts. Puppetry is magical and can make people dream!
How do you prepare for a performance?
I have my rituals. I make a wish for the story to be told and received, continuing this journey of transmission.
I have my rituals. I make a wish for the story to be told and received, continuing this journey of transmission.
What is the message of your show?
The message of my show is resilience, hope, and the lesson we need to learn now. We can't make magic or make the world a better place without the support of our communities.
The message of my show is resilience, hope, and the lesson we need to learn now. We can't make magic or make the world a better place without the support of our communities.
If you were a biscuit, what would you be and why?
I would be a homemade ginger nut because my puppets have a "homemade look," and they live with me in my room. I want the audience to see and feel the journey of creation and give them ideas of what to do at home, creating an Art Revolution! It is a celebration of African Caribbean culture.
I would be a homemade ginger nut because my puppets have a "homemade look," and they live with me in my room. I want the audience to see and feel the journey of creation and give them ideas of what to do at home, creating an Art Revolution! It is a celebration of African Caribbean culture.
Can you describe the show in three words?
Magical, fun, and hope-giving.
Magical, fun, and hope-giving.
When can people see the show and follow the journey beyond?
We will be performing at York Library on the 16th of June from 3 to 5 PM. You can follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swallowswingspuppetry/ and here is the link for a short video to give you a taste: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kep0efsrvsY
We will be performing at York Library on the 16th of June from 3 to 5 PM. You can follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swallowswingspuppetry/ and here is the link for a short video to give you a taste: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kep0efsrvsY
You can find out more about the full programme of events at Wandsworth Fringe by visiting https://www.wandsworthfringe.com/whats-on-2024
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