After a decade of delighting, thrilling, and often spooking event-goers around the country, Liverpool’s Lantern Company are bringing together an exhibition of the very best of their weird and wonderful creations.
Giant skeletons, contorted characters and enchanting animals will light up the very depths of the world-famous St George’s Hall from 27 March to the 6 April, in this magical display of creative artistry.
Take a journey through the hidden nooks and crannies of this magnificent building where the secrets of a decade of lantern magic, carnivals and visual story telling will be revealed. Learn about what we do through our interactive exhibition and take a look behind the scenes to see how raw materials and dreams become spellbinding events.
This landmark exhibition will also launch the opening of St George’s previously hidden basement, where visitors can see the Escher-like optical illusion of the magnificent brick arches of the world’s very first air conditioning system.
Visitors will see:
· Giant illuminated creatures up close
· Behind the scenes glimpses into the workings and mechanics of the company
· Artists creating new work, while talking with onlookers about the process
· Characters and puppets as they come to life in a secret underground world
Jo Pocock, Artistic Director of the Lantern Company said: “Over ten years we’ve built up an incredible ‘back-catalogue’ of puppets and characters and are delighted to have the opportunity to bring them all together in what will be a visually stunning display.
“It’s also wonderful to be able to invite people to draw back the curtain on the phenomenal work that goes on behind the scenes and give people a real taste of the challenges and triumphs we’ve had over the last decade.”
Liverpool City Council’s cabinet member for culture and tourism, Councillor Wendy Simon, said: “We are proud to have supported the Lantern Company’s Halloween Lantern Carnival over the last decade, and it’s wonderfully to see their continuing successes as they enchant cities and towns up and down the country with their unique blend of illuminated artworks, carnival and street theatre.
“The company’s landmark ten year exhibition is set to be a spectacular event housed in the magnificent St Georges Hall and will showcase the creativity and talent which this city is renowned for.”
Aside from the free exhibition, there will also be guided tours and hands-on creative workshops for children and adults, as well as more specific master classes for amateur and professional artists wanting to expand their skills.
The Lantern Company is supported by Liverpool City Council and Arts Council England.
Those wishing to book their place on any of the workshops should visit www.lanterncompany.co.uk for more details.
Opening times for the exhibition are 10am -4pm daily, except Mondays. Easter weekend opening times differ.
Exhibition: Free
Theatrical Tour: £5/£3
Children’s workshops: from £2.50
Visit www.lanterncompany.co.uk for details and to book your place, but be quick as spaces are limited!