The Birthday Party! Children’s Capital of Culture Finale

This new city status was sparked by thirty Young Ambassadors who crafted a bold manifesto for the borough’s future and presented it to the local council and cultural organisations. Their vision inspired a new ambition: for Rotherham to officially become the first-ever Children’s Capital of Culture.

To celebrate this achievement, we were commissioned as artistic directors to create a finale worthy of their year of creativity.

At the centre of this event was a joyful, large-scale production, inspired by the birth of this new Capital of Culture status and the thirteen babies born each day at Rotherham Maternity Partnership.

Conceived by Bev Ayre and directed by Bev Ayre and Richard Babington, The Birthday Party! featured a 30ft baby puppet, named Charlie, by the residents of Rotherham. The story unfolded through a fantastical bedtime tale ‘Dreaming Up a Story’ written with children aged 7–11 from Grimm & Co. Brought to life with an original score by composer Patrick Dineen, projections by Illuminos, pyrotechnics by Peter Finegan, sound effects by Caro C, the story journeyed through a magical, reimagined Rotherham.

Central to this production was our four-month engagement work with the children and young people of Rotherham, collecting their hopes and dreams for Rotherham through music with rap artist Oneda,  and Patrick Dineen, oral history taking with Caro C, land art with James Brunt and The Collector, our magpie puppet.

This production was inspired by children, created with children and the event was produced with three fantastic young Children Capital of Culture Assistant Creative Producers Grace Bower, Amber Goulty and Maria Sofragiu.

“It's been brilliant to work with youth communities across Rotherham and so empowering to hear their stories and dreams for the future. Working with Walk the Plank and a variety of superb artists has been incredibly exciting.” - Young Assistant Creative Producer Grace Bower.

Over 6,000 residents and visitors engaged in the celebrations in Rotherham throughout the day. The vibrant programme also featured a whimsical menagerie of walkabout performances, artwork and exhibitions, packed stages featuring young local talent, a Fire Garden, and dazzling pyrotechnics to mark the occasion.