Once upon a time in Rotherham

Fire and light surrounded the Minster as the evening drew in and a main stage overflowed with Taylor Swift tributes, Hip Hop and Rap. Art works and soundscapes were exhibited and huge audience stood spellbound as a spectacular bedtime story was projected onto Charlie, accompanied by a cinematic musical score and pyrotechnics. A town centre, considered by many as a no go area on a Friday evening, came alive with 6,600 happy families as young people celebrated their achievements at the end of a brilliant Children’s Capital of Culture Year.

As Artistic Directors of the event, our role was to collaborate with three young Assistant Creative Producers and a youth led programming panel to devise and craft this fitting finale.

We began with the premise of asking what the hopes and dreams might be for the thirteen babies born each day at Rotherham Maternity Partnership. Our Assistant Producers deployed artists and musicians James Brunt, Patrick Dineen, Caro C, Oneda and Walk the Plank’s Magpie Puppet The Collector to as diverse a group of young people across the town as possible. Working with over 10,000 young people in schools, community groups, colleges and youth clubs gathering content through four months of creative conversations.

Sessions in event planning and skills sharing took place at our Walk the Plank headquarters and in Rotherham. Puppeteering, special effects, choreography, creative writing, programming, diverse opinions and youth culture were discussed and shared over baked potatoes, and a mutual desire to deliver a day and night like Rotherham hadn’t seen before.

We met weekly with a commitment that no creative decisions would be made without the input or approval of the assistant producers and the youth programme panel. A truly collaborative approach which was a joy to participate in.

On the day, as we watched the town filling with young people and families, Grace one of our Assistant producers joked that there was a forty two year age gap between the oldest and youngest member of the producing team. And we both agreed that the event and the process had been so much the richer for it.

Most importantly was the true sense of ownership the young people of Rotherham had for their finale – a spectacular event that we were privileged to have supported. We are now looking forward to seeing the legacy of this incredible year and where our young producers go next.

In 2025, Rotherham became the world’s first Children’s Capital of Culture. In 2026, we produced the final celebration to honour this momentous status – throwing a huge Birthday Party!

Learn more about this huge celebration that took over Rotherham's city centre.