Walk the Plank

Derby Festé, 2011
“A note to say thank you for such a wonderful event. I’d never been to a Derby Feste event before and wasn’t sure what to expect when I went on the Friday night.  It was a wonderful evening with such original ideas.  There was such a sense of freedom to wander and for everyone to enjoy a positive evening experience. Particularly in these times when some many are struggling it was an uplifting experience I am proud to recommend to others.”
Angela Goley, Audience member

“Thank you all so much for the opportunity to work with Walk the Plank on the fire drawing project.  The feedback from the students was brilliant.  They learnt so much about team work and it was a really positive experience to work with professionals and to realise you can make a living in the creative industries!”
Tracey Ramsdale, Derby College

Rama and Sita, 2011 (created for Manchester’s Diwali celebrations)
“I really liked the finale of Ram and Sita, well done for this. It was a very good quality production and an appropriate modern day interpretation that opened up a new opportunity of storytelling for outdoor audiences on a classic South Asian storyline.”
Suhail Khan

Art Car Parade, 2011
“We couldn’t have hoped for a more positive start to Nelson’s new look town centre and we’ve had nothing but positive feedback from the day.”
Hanna Latty, Pendle Borough Council

Manchester Day Parade, 2011
“The Manchester Day Parade has been an important part of our Fiesta Italia and the feedback I had from everybody has been FANTASTICO!!!”
Manuela Costanzo

Stoke Centenary finale celebration, 2011
“I watched the show as just a spectator and was very impressed with the performance, fireshow and fireworks. The crowd around me was a true mix of ages from children in pushchairs to senior citizens. They all applauded loudly at the finish and I heard a group of teenagers trying to work out how it was done and hoping there would be more stuff like that.”
Maggie Boone

Manchester Day Parade, 2010
“The air’s buzzy here with congratulations but it simply never would have happened with such panache had it not been for the dedication and passion of you and your team – you’re a special bunch of people and it was a privilege to work with you.” Margaret Stephenson, Manchester City Council
“I would like to reiterate all the sentiments previously mentioned. Manchester Carers Centre staff, volunteers, carers and their children had a wonderful time, a couple of people even said – and I quote – “the best day of my life”
Ruth Hannan Manchester Carers Centre

LuminoCity, 2009, for Liverpool City Council
“Just had to write and say how impressed I was (and I’m sure the people with me) by your performance on Saturday 15th August at Liverpool Pier Head. It was a spectacular event and was well organised. Full of magic.”
Robbe Law, audience member

Gulliver’s Boom Box, 2009
“Thank you Walk the Plank for performing Gulliver’s Boom Box at The Bristol Do. Everybody loved it and you were so organised I had more time to concentrate on the whole event!”
Claire Teasdale, Bristol City Council

Merseyside, 2006
“Fantastic, Fantastic, Fantastic! Once again you put on the best firework show in Mersyside. We watched it from our party and everyone was completely knocked out.You guys are artists and you keep on doing it with such panache, that we love it more and more each time.”
Paul McCartney

S.W.A.L.K
“A red hot tale of burning passion, this collaboration between Walk the Plank and former V-tol director Mark Murphy is something fresh in the world of large scale outdoor theatre – a show with a strong narrative and an even stronger sense that pyrotechnics are not just there as crowd pleasers but can be used very effectively as an integral part of the story.” The Guardian

Commonwealth Games Closing Ceremony, 2002
“Among the highlights was a spectacular lantern display representing the many religions and faiths of the nations which took part.”
The Guardian

“Magic lanterns – giant minarets, mosques, and menorahs lit up the stadium in Manchester’s multifaith extravaganza.” The Times

REACH… Crossing Seas, Building Bridges
“A dazzling display of pyrotechnics and aerial acrobatics, this fabulous free show provided a fitting finale to the [Commonwealth Games] opening weekend … the show was outstanding, prompting awed applause more than once as it lit up the sky.” Manchester Evening News

The Festival of Light and Water
“…a carefully orchestrated performance, an extravaganza of fire, fireworks and atmospheric music which beats anything seen in this area before.” Lancaster Guardian

Theatre Ship, 1991 – 2009
“When they sail into port, it’s like the circus coming to town … a colourful and exciting event.”
The Mail on Sunday

“Walk the Plank to see a show and it’s always an adventure – the energy, visual virtuosity and fun invested in every show usually mean that it’s difficult to leave without a smile.”
The Independent

“Walk the Plank is arguably the North West’s most innovative arts production company, and regularly tours the region offering audiences the opportunity to experience an atmosphere seldom found in more conventional venues.”
The Big Issue

“Low-tech, visually inventive theatre and the peculiar, magical qualities of a theatre space freed from the conventions of building-based venues – a kind of aquatic equivalent of the Big Top. Don’t miss this very special boat.”
The Glasgow Herald

Noah’s Ark
“Visually it’s a knock out, the designs are constantly eye-popping … Noah’s Ark is certainly an experience.”
Phil Key, Liverpool Daily Post

“The continual visual delight with the revolving set, in which every plank has a part to play, the costumes, video animation, puppetry and lighting were really quite fabulous. And I must not forget to mention the belly aching laughs.”
Hayley Gaudion, BBC Guernsey Online

“In an extraordinarily energetic and lively version of the story of Noah’s Ark … the small cast were incredible, managing not only to act and move heavy sets, but do a variety of singing and puppetry too.”
Deborah Soper, Guernsey Press

“Such a great evening all round, it’s hard to pick out a highlight … well done all round, and thank you so much for coming to Alderney – the rest of the British coastline is in for a treat!”
Carol Johnston, audience member

Moby Dick
“It would be hard to imagine a more three dimensional account. There you are below decks, watching a seafaring story, with a film of a tempest-tossed sea flickering at the back of the stage, while all around are the creaks and bumps of a real vessel … and the company has a tumbling physicality and versatility which would have once been the preserve of circus performers.”
The Observer

“Uncompromising performances, delivering Jim Burke’s relentless poetry with energy and commitment. Lee Beagley has harnessed the theatrical elements to transform Melville’s vast saga into a tightly choreographed production. A gripping narrative in the best tradition of storytelling, told with good humour and humanity.”
Total Theatre

“So powerful you can almost taste the salt on your skin.”
The Stage

“Haunting, spellbinding, funny – this Moby Dick is a magical experience. Hurry up that gangplank.”
Manchester Evening News