Bristol team to launch world’s first flying puppet

An ambitious project that has been six years in the making is due to take flight in a spectacular world premiere this August.

A 6.2metre tall puppet dragon known as The Hatchling is the brainchild of Angie Bual, the artistic director of Bristol-based theatre company Trigger and the result of a collaboration between different organisations, artists and kite flyers.

It was in 2018 that some of the early work on the project was completed inside the vast confines of the historic Brabazon Hangar on the former Filton Airfield – the site set to be the location for the long-awaited YTL Arena.

Constructed from super lightweight carbon fibre, weighing less than a piece of hand luggage, The Hatchling has been created in collaboration with a palaeontologist and can be operated by a team of 36 puppeteers.

She is the largest ever puppet to be solely human-operated and is due to make her debut public appearance in Plymouth in August, where she will roam through the city before taking flight off the clifftop in a unique feat of artistry and engineering.

The Hatchling is the largest ever puppet to be solely human-operated- image by Carl Robertshaw

Angie, a resident at Watershed’s Pervasive Media Studio, says she is thrilled to finally be bringing her vision to life.

“The project has been six years in the making in collaboration with people in Bristol and across the world,” says Angie.

“The Hatchling asks us to celebrate our commonalities over our differences – no matter your heritage or age, everyone has a connection to the dragon. When she flies, it will be a moment for all of us to reflect on freedom of movement, and what that means for each of us. The power of public art has to unify us has never been more important.”

The artistic director was inspired by the dragon as a global symbol, one found in stories in every ancient culture around the world. While the dragon is revered and respected in eastern mythology, it is often considered menacing in western folklore.

The project is a collaboration between a team of leading UK creatives including Mervyn Millar, part of the original team behind the acclaimed production of War Horse, and Carl Robertshaw, a designer who has created sets for the London 2012 Olympic Ceremonies, collaborated with artists including Ellie Goulding and Kylie – and is a five-time sport kite world champion.

The premiere will see the giant puppet dragon hatch and then set out to explore her surroundings. At sunset, on Sunday, August 15, she will transform into a kite, unfold wings spanning more than 20metres and soar into the air across the sea. The show will feature lighting design by Mat Daw and a choral score by Ruth Chan.

Members of the public will be invited to take to the streets to accompany the dragon on her two-day journey.

The performance has been created with 25 partners including Watershed, The Space and the Brigstow Institute at the University of Bristol, alongside a world-class team of immersive theatre makers, puppetry specialists and champion kite flyers.

The project has been funded with money from the National Lottery, through Arts Council England.

Image of The Hatchling by Carl Robertshaw

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