Hydromania! On Manchester Town Hall, commissioned by Streets Ahead for Xtrax 2001.
Avanti Display aimed to develop a performance that responds to the specific nature of the location. The main challenge was the scale of the building, and particularly the height of the Clock Tower which is equivalent to 18 Storeys. Avanti Display took on this challenge and engaged directly with the architecture by making water gush from the mouths of the gargoyles at the top of the Clock Tower.
Avanti Display infiltrated the space with local performers play the role of chorus of human fountains.
General Info ---------------------------------------------
A colourful outdoor spectacular of giant water features.
This multi textured display combines the lyrical qualities of water with light and pyrotechnics. At it’s heart is a physical performance, a human fountain, the internationally famous Spurting Man. Accompanying the dynamic aquatic display of the Spurting Man is the virtuoso singing of a beautiful diva.
The aim of the show is to develop a performance that interacts with the unique architecture of a specific location, a public space that we aim to transform.
The aim of the show is to develop a performance that interacts with the architecture of the location and the nature of the site. The water and light and pyrotechnics is intended to transform this public space, creating the spectre of ghost architectures - so that we see a vision of alternative possibilities.
A flat space becomes a stage, a street lamp becomes a fountain, a wall becomes a multi coloured display.
Integrated into the performance are a chorus of physical performers, a chorus of human fountains, who add their physical presence to animate the space. Avanti Display aim to develop performance that responds to the specific nature of the location. To enhance this relationship and develop an association with the space Avanti Display intend to work with local performers to play the role of the chorus, and to work with these performers to develop a performance style and a choreography that has an appropriate resonance for the location.
The more local people can be integrated into the performance the more fun we can have with these relationships. Hydromania can include local musicians, local dignitaries (the Major), a local taxi driver.
Hydromania is a spectacular celebration of water. This essential element of life on our blue planet, has inherent aesthetic qualities. Water is an element that is both of serious symbolic significance and innocent fun, of both intrinsic beauty and obvious comic potential.
