WAD - R&D

In WAD, a small dancing piskie flickers into sight - guiding lost travellers and illuminating the night. Inspired by Cornish folklore, this movement installation conjures an intimate and ethereal presence through projection and dance.

Designed for public spaces, galleries, festivals and installation settings, WAD is a versatile and scalable work that immerses audiences in the magic of Cornish storytelling.

Rooted in Cornish folklore, piskies are mischievous fairies that emerge at night to dance. WAD draws inspiration from the legend of Joan the Wad, queen of the piskies, with ‘wad’ meaning torch or light in the darkness. In the tale, Joan appears on the Cornish moors at night - guiding lost travellers to safety with her light.

The rhyme goes:

“Jack o' the lantern! Joan the Wad,
Who tickled the maid and made her mad!
Light me home, the weather's bad.”

The Research & Development of WAD focused on developing the choreographic style of the piece, testing basic projection techniques to experiment with scale and presence, and exploring how hand-drawn animation could be layered with the visuals.

In the future, with further development, WAD will be presented using 3D holographic projection. This shift will create a more vivid and engaging visual experience, and offer greater adaptability when touring to different locations. While the piece is primarily aimed at children and families, it is designed to be enjoyed by audiences of all ages.

The WAD R&D was supported through LightLab 2024 - an artist development programme by Light Up the North, led by Blackpool Illuminations and Wigan Council, which supports artists exploring light-based work.

Interested in exploring how WAD can enhance your festival or event? Click here to book in a call.

CREATIVES

  • ARTIST

    MELANIE WHITEHEAD SMITH

  • DOP

    JONATHON DWYER

  • CHOREOGRAPHY

    MELANIE WHITHEHEAD SMITH

    IN COLLABORATION WITH

    RACHEL ELDERKIN

  • PERFORMER

    RACHEL ELDERKIN

  • TECHNICAL CONSULTANT

    BILLY HIGHFIELD

  • ANIMATION CONSULTANT

    MICHAELA KREJCOVA

  • VOICE OVER

    PEMA WAINWRIGHT

  • SUPPORTED BY

    LIGHTLAB 2024

  • FILMING LOCATION

    STUDIO WAYNE McGREGOR