Suitable for street performances to large scale
outdoor events, the story can incorporate a fantastic fireshow by Walk
the Plank. The performance includes an impressive mechanical Bengali
tiger, amazing costumes, dancers and musicians. Local participation
is encouraged and Kinetika can incorporate costume, flag and puppet
making workshops in the lead up to the finale event, plus the choreography
of local performers. The Tiger & the Emperor have been seen at the
Victoria Park Fireworks 2006, Baishakhi Mela and SAMA, the South Asian
Music and Arts Festival, in the North East in 2007.
Tiger Out East
Photo: Elcio Carrico
The Royal Bengal Tiger is a renowned symbol for Bengali culture, the float was originally commissioned for the Brick Lane Baishaki Mela. Tigers are the largest living member of the cat family and can be found in Sundarbans, forests south west of Bangladesh. Kinetika and Tower Hamlets Arts and Events Team spent time within the Bangladeshi community to work on an appropriate symbol of Bengali culture. The Royal Bengal Tiger met with unanimous approval from various Bengali community groups that were consulted.
The animated Tiger is operated by four performers and comes with its own sound track (watch out for the tiger roaring!) It is 6 metres long and 3 metres high, has a sound system and a platform on its back suitable for performances.
The Tiger can feature at your event in a number of ways:
- Animated soundsystem with DJ’s and/or Baul Musicians
- Live processional performance accompanied by Bangla drummers and Costumed dancers
- The Tiger and the Emperor, - an outdoor show for thousands to enjoy, created in collaboration with Walk The Plank, and featuring spectacular special effects...an ideal festival finale!
Producer: John Wassell
Director: Liz Pugh
Designer: Ali Pretty
Musical director: Jim Carrey
Choreographer: Jeanefer Jean-Charles
Lighting Designer: Alastiar Noonan
(and students from Central School of Speech and Drama)
Pyro Designer: Sam Samkin
Firedrawing design: Peter Mountain