Passion for the Planet
By Tony Earnshaw
In summer 2021 we developed and performed our community-based theatrical adventure Passion for the Planet in North-East England.
We loved doing it. Our audiences loved seeing it.
So now we’re making the production available throughout the UK.
About the show
Passion for the Planet is a site-specific promenade performance for adults and children of all ages.
Centred around multi-faith Creation stories, it explores the crucial themes of ecological sustainability and care – care for the Earth and all its guests, care for self, care for others.
The show is an immersive theatrical journey combining music, song, dance, mask, puppetry, storytelling and multi-media installations. Our aim? To deliver a deeper understanding of the issues alongside audience enjoyment via truly accessible local theatre.
Previous performances
Passion for the Planet was originally created in the spring of 2021 in the Gateshead area.
The Damn Cheek team worked with local primary schools and support organisations to not only develop the performance themes but also to create scenery, costume, masks, puppetry and installations for the production.
This work culminated in 2 weeks of performance at Christ Church Felling during July and August 2021.
Feedback and reviews included:
“Hugely moving… I was occasionally on the edge of tears…”
“Demonstrating… the gravity and urgency of the ecological and creation themes…”
“Pure joy pouring out from the whole show…”
Watch the video!
Watch a short video (produced by North East Religious Resources) about the production in Gateshead in summer 2021.
Poster for Passion for the Planet in Gateshead, summer 2021.
Where next?
In 2022, we’re taking Passion for the Planet to communities UK-wide!
We’re keen to partner with funders and organisations to bring both Passion for the Planet and our large-scale production Mysteries to local communities.
Book Passion for the Planet for your venue
To book the production for your venue or organisation, please email us.
We’ll get in touch to talk through how we can best work together to bring Passion for the Planet to your community.
Booking the show: How it works
We liaise closely with you from the start to tailor our in-community involvement to meet your needs.
We craft appropriate experiential workshops for a variety of local age and interest groups, helping participants shape the content and practical aspects of the performance, and through that developing their own personal creativity and mental well-being.
These workshop activities then feed into the Passion for the Planet performance script, resulting in a promenade performance for presentation at a local venue.
Throughout, we bring our experience not only of theatre but also of workshop creation, stage and production management, publicity, marketing and front of house support.
Creative team
The Company
Mahsa Hammat Bahary
Eloise Kay
Laurence Saunders
Production Manager and Design Consultant
Paul Batten
Design Consultant and Maker
Chris de Wilde
Partners: Gateshead production
The Gateshead production of Passion for the Planet was developed in collaboration with:
- Gateshead Deanery
- the ministry of Christ Church Felling Gateshead
- the children and staff of Gateshead primary schools
- members and supporters of Age UK
- other local organisations and charities
Find out more about the original Gateshead production in summer 2021
Book Passion for the Planet for your venue
To book the production for your venue or organisation, please email us.
We’ll get in touch to talk through how we can best work together to bring Passion for the Planet to your community.
