Sea Monsters
What’s happening down by the harbour? Reports say that a trawler fishing just off the coast caught a huge unknown creature. Soon after, the engine gave out, the ship sent out a Mayday and was towed to the docks. While waiting for scientists to examine this strange beast, the public is given a unique opportunity to take a look. Have the sea monsters of our ancient tales come back and what message do they bring?
The opening day of Reykjavík Arts Festival brings incredible creatures to Reykjavík harbour as Hringleikur Circus Company and Pilkington Props come together to create brand new, large-scale Icelandic street theatre for all ages.
The sea monsters won’t stop after the opening festivities - they will continue their journey around Iceland, appearing in four other places.
The Sea Monsters were commissioned by Reykjavík Arts Festival.
Artistic directors: Eyrún Ævarsdóttir (IS) & Jóakim Meyvant Kvaran (IS), Hringleikur
Producer: Ragnheiður Maísól Sturludóttir (IS), MurMur Productions
Character design and build: Daniel Adam Pilkington (GB/IS) & Thomas Burke (US/IS), Pilkington Props
Visual design: Brian Pilkington (GB/IS)
Dramatization: Hildur Knútsdóttir (IS)
Composer: Friðrik Margrétar- Guðmundsson (IS)
Safety & rigging: Thomas Burke (US/IS)
Assistance with character build: Björg Einarsdóttir (IS)
Folklorist: Dagrún Ósk Jónsdóttir (IS)
Co-producer: Reykjavík Arts Festival (IS)
Performers: Alejandro Bencomo (IS), Axel Diego (IS), Bjarni Árnason (IS), Bryndís Torfadóttir (IS), Daniel Adam Pilkington (GB/IS), Harpa Lind Ingadóttir (IS), Jóakim Meyvant Kvaran (IS), Lauren Charnow (US/IS), Thomas Burke (US/IS), local youth
June 1 at 1 pm
Midbakki, Reykjavík
June 5 at 5:15pm
Marina, Faxabraut, Akranes
June 8 at 3pm
Westfjord Regional Museum, Ísafjordur
June 12 at 5:15pm
Naustagardur, Husavik harbour
June 15 at 3pm
Norðfjarðarkirkja church, Neskaupstadur
Sviðslistasjóður, Launasjóður listamanna, Barnamenningarsjóður, Uppbyggingarsjóður Vestfjarða, Uppbyggingarsjóður Norðurlands eystra, Uppbyggingarsjóður Austurlands, Menningarsjóður Múlaþings, Menningarstofa Fjarðarbyggðar, List fyrir alla, Skrímslasetrið á Bíldudal, Bílaleigan Höldur, Byggðasafn Vestfjarða, Faxaflóahafnir, Akraneskaupstaður, Ísafjarðarbær, Norðurþing, Fjarðabyggð, Sláturhúsið á Egilsstöðum, Safnahúsið á Húsavík, listahátíðin Innsævi
Accessibility
The event takes place outdoors in the public space. The show travels around 500 metres from Miðbakki to Harpa, with special performances in three places. There is good access for wheelchair users on the pavements. The performers move around in the crowd. The show uses loud music and sounds. The performance is on a large scale and could be frightening.