Director 'can't wait' to bring 'As the World Tipped' to St Helens

As previously reported by the Star, a huge outdoor spectacle will take place in St Helens town centre this weekend, which tells the powerful tale of the climate crisis through an extraordinary visual lens.

Complete with a tipping stage and aerial performers, 'As The World Tipped' has travelled to audiences in France, Germany, Italy, Australia, Chile, and South Korea, and the St Helens performance will be the production's first showcase since the pandemic.

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Performers deliver an aerial performance in front of a 'tipping' backdrop (Image: Mark McNulty)
Wendy Hesketh-Ogilvie, the production's artistic director, who grew up in Rainford and now lives in Rainhill, said: "After touring the show around the world, it feels a bit overwhelming to be bringing it to my hometown.

"It's our first reworking of the show since covid, which was a period where we didn't know if we were going to be able to carry it on. 

"So to still be able to do this, and in smaller towns where more people can experience it, is the most amazing thing.

"I know this town like the back of my hand and I remember big events like the Rainford Walking Days and St Helens Shows growing up. So it feels phenomenal to be directing such a big event in St Helens, with my family and friends out there in the audience too."

The performance is the first since the pandemic (Image: Christophe Raynaud De Lage)
While Wendy had previously taken a back step from performing following the birth of her second child, she said that she could not miss the opportunity to perform in front of her family and friends so that they can "properly understand" what she does for a living.

With 'As The World Tipped' centered around the fallout from the Copenhagen Climate Change conference in 2009, Wendy stressed that the show is "not a lecture", but relays a powerful message about the climate crisis amid a backdrop of "beautiful imagery" and breathtaking aerial performances.

Taking place on Birchley Street car park on Saturday, October 21, the show is the headline event for St Helens' Borough of Culture and has been described as the "most ambitious" event ever organised by the council.

Production teams are beginning to set up the stage at Birchley Street car park (Image: St Helens Star)
Cllr Anthony Burns, St Helens Borough Council’s cabinet member for wellbeing, culture and heritage, said: “As The World Tipped is without doubt the most ambitious event we’ve ever staged and one we’re very excited to bring to St Helens, having toured all over the world – so it’s a big deal to have it here and certainly not to be missed.

“What a year it has been so far as part of our status as Borough of Culture, with a large number of successful events having already taken place which have drawn in large crowds – and As The World Tipped promises to be right up there with the biggest and best.

“Borough of Culture for us is all about celebrating the borough’s talent therefore it's fitting that the internationally acclaimed theatre company's artistic director was born and educated here, one of many talented and creative individuals St Helens has produced in the world of arts and theatre."