Archive for ‘October 26, 2015’

As an ancient dragon prepares to spend its final week in an Angus park, organisers of DragonQuest are revealing that 5,000 visitors have explored the magical woods of Monikie Country Park since the event began – and that the dragon will return!

DragonQuest is a theatrical, mystery spectacular created especially for the woods of Monikie. With the final show taking part on Sunday 1 November, countless 3D fairies, trolls, goblins, hovering flies and, of course, the breath-taking dragon itself, will then leave the park they have been inhabiting since the event began on Wednesday 7 October.

However, Vision Mechanics, the Edinburgh-based theatre company behind the show, are promising that the event will return next year due to its ‘overwhelming success’ to date.

Symon Macintyre, Artistic Director, Vision Mechanics said, “As we enter the final week, we are absolutely delighted that 5,000 people have joined us on our DragonQuest so far. We have not only achieved our targets but exceeded them, and all expectations we had for the show. We have reached out to audiences in Dundee, Angus, Aberdeenshire, Fife and Perthshire, opening their eyes to an entirely new style of theatre, and early indications show that ticket sales remain very healthy for the final few days.”

However, Mr Macintyre added, “The challenge ahead is to develop DragonQuest further, to take it to the next level and meet our audiences’ growing expectations. We are hugely grateful to our funders but, to make DragonQuest even bigger and better, and to help it evolve, we are looking to secure a major sponsor to fund new creatures, installations and more lighting. This month’s audiences are all now members of the Dragon Protection League and next year, it’s our hope and intention to secure more funding to take them on the next step of the journey – an even bigger and better one.”

DragonQuest has been supported by Creative Scotland, EventScotland, part of the VisitScotland Events Directorate, and Angus Council. Meanwhile, arts workshops with children and young people to produce stunning dragon scarers for Monikie Country Park and local schools were funded by The Gannochy Trust, The CashBack for Creativity Open Arts Fund and Creative Scotland.

As well as traditional theatrical treats, illuminations and music, a downloadable App allows visitors to reveal what was hidden – a world of magical creatures which they can scan and snap for social media, friends and family alike. Indeed, the technology is the first ever use of Augmented Reality (AR) in a live theatre performance.

Councillor Jeanette Gaul, vice-convener of communities Angus Council said, “We have all been very impressed by the thrills, theatre and technology of DragonQuest and delighted that people have come in their thousands to experience it at first hand. The event has drawn in people of all ages from across Angus and beyond and allowed us all to see the wonders of Monikie Country Park in a whole new light. If you haven’t already seen this mystical, magical show I would urge you to come along and enjoy its wonders. We very much look forward to its return next year.”

Paul Bush OBE, Director of Events at VisitScotland, said, “We are delighted to support DragonQuest, attracting impressive crowds to Angus to experience this fantastical evening show. The stunning setting of Monikie Woods combined with the event’s immersive storytelling and state-of-the-art technology, demonstrates just why Scotland is the perfect stage for events.”

Tickets remain available for certain performances this week, and are available from The Webster Memorial Theatre, 64 High Street, Arbroath, DD11 1AW – telephone 01241 435800, email info@webstertheatre.co.uk or via www.webstertheatre.co.uk.

The Box Office is open Tuesday – Friday, 1pm-6pm and on Saturday, between 10am and 3pm. On performance nights, the Box Office hours will be extended, changing to Tuesday – Friday, 1pm-7.30-pm and on Mondays, Saturdays and Sundays from 6pm-7.30pm.

For further information, visit the DragonQuest website – dragonquest.org.uk and Facebook page – facebook.com/DarkWoodDragonQuest.

For more information, please contact Vision Mechanics – telephone (0131) 554 8923, email info@visionmechanics.org or website www.visionmechanics.org.

ENDS

NOTE TO EDITORS

Angus Council: DragonQuest is supported by Angus Council. Visit Angus is the area destination marketing campaign to raise the profile of the county locally, nationally and internationally. Further information from Millie Clarke on 01307 473262, www.visitangus.com or www.facebook.com/VisitAngus.

 

Creative Scotland: Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland on behalf of everyone who lives, works or visits here.  The organisation enables people and organisations to work in and experience the arts, screen and creative industries in Scotland by helping others to develop great ideas and bring them to life.  They distribute funding provided by the Scottish Government and the National Lottery. For further information about Creative Scotland please visit www.creativescotland.com.  Follow @creativescots and www.facebook.com/CreativeScotland.

 

EventScotland: EventScotland is working to make Scotland the perfect stage for events. By developing an exciting portfolio of sporting and cultural events EventScotland is helping to raise Scotland’s international profile and boost the economy by attracting more visitors. For further information about EventScotland, its funding programmes and latest event news visit www.EventScotland.org. Follow EventScotland on Twitter @EventScotNews. EventScotland is a team in the VisitScotland Events Directorate. VisitScotland is the national tourism organisation which markets Scotland as a tourism destination across the world, gives support to the tourism industry and brings sustainable tourism growth to Scotland.