THE team behind what is set to be the biggest free street theatre event in the UK this year is looking to recruit hundreds of volunteers to be part of the unforgettable experience.
Liverpool’s Dream will see Giants wandering the streets of Liverpool and Wirral for the final time from 4-7 October, and the team behind the spectacular are asking for around 250 people to put themselves forward for a wide variety of roles including:
- Benevol Stewards – becoming part of the human cordon which travels with each Giant. Anyone considering applying needs to be physically fit, be able to walk long distances, have a good level of stamina and be comfortable in large crowds.
- Runners/Production Assistants – flexibility is key for the role which provides vital help for the team during rehearsals and preparation for the show.
- Production Drivers – people with full driving licenses are required to drive a variety of different vehicles to assist in rehearsals and the show itself.
- Translators – fluent French speakers are required to translate for the technical team.
- Physiotherapists/Sports Masseurs – Qualified physiotherapists/sport masseurs, student physiotherapists/sports masseurs are required to work with the team. They will be needed across the event days.
- Media Assistants – the local, national and international spotlight will be on Liverpool and a number of people are required to assist and manage members of the media throughout the duration of the show.
- Event Ambassadors – it’s essential to extend that renowned warm Liverpool welcome to the hundreds and thousands of people descending on the region for the event. Good, friendly communicators are needed to be on hand to answer any questions or queries from members of the public.
All the roles are voluntary, however the following Lilliputian position is a paid for role due to the amount of rehearsal time required and the commitment during the duration of the show:
- Lilliputians – prepare to take centre stage as this role requires you to operate the Giants along the streets. Unsurprisingly this is a physically challenging role so fitness and stamina are essential as well as being a team player.
Anyone volunteering needs to ensure they are available across the four event days, and some roles will require commitment of several days in the weeks running up to the event for auditions and rehearsals.
Full role descriptions and the application details can be found at www.giantspectacular.com. The deadline for submissions is 5pm Tuesday 31 July.
Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for culture, tourism and event, Councillor Wendy Simon, said: “This is the final time our Giant visitors will ever walk our streets so we want to give as many people as possible the chance to be part of this event which is set to go down in Liverpool history.
“The complexity around staging an event of this scale won’t surprise anyone – years of planning go into it and there’s an army of people who work incredibly hard behind the scenes to produce a show which wows an audience of hundreds and thousands.
“When we launched the volunteer programme in 2014 we were overwhelmed by the response, and within a few weeks practically every role had been allocated. As this is the climax to the trilogy, we are predicting that demand to be part of the show will be at an all-time high.
“It really is a fantastic opportunity to play an integral role in what will be an unforgettable experience for all involved.”
Colin Bordley volunteered for both Sea Odyssey in 2012 and Memories of August 1914 in 2014. In the first year he took on the challenging role of a Lilliputian, taking part in rehearsals pre-show and then for three days operated the Uncle/Diver Giant. It clearly didn’t put him off and in 2014 he was back for more, this time acting as a Lilliputian to play giant cymbals.
Colin said: “I have been a Lilliputian operator for both of the city’s previous Giant Spectacular events and there really is no experience like it in the world. It’s amazing, exhilarating, exhausting and absolutely unforgettable… and I am very proud to have done it twice.
“At times it may not be the most glamorous of roles, but, for the right person, you have the satisfaction of helping deliver one of the most amazing events the city has ever seen and are guaranteed a lifetime of great memories.
“I hope to be able to do the hat-trick this year but I imagine the competition will be fierce this time round. But fingers crossed I get to be part of the Giants’ final-ever Liverpool experience.”
Alison Cliffe was part of the Benevol in 2014. Talking about her experience, she said: “The opportunity of working alongside the Royal de Luxe team and a fantastic group of volunteers was very special.
“I will never forget the thousands of smiling faces when they saw the magical figures of Grandma, the Little Girl and her dog Xolo.
“The emotional impact and excitement of the finale left me with a great sense of pride for Liverpool and its people.”
The event is one of the major highlights of the Liverpool 2018 programme – a year-long celebration which marks a decade since the city held the game-changing title of European Capital of Culture. The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority is supporting the Liverpool 2018 events programme with £5 million from its Single Investment Fund (SIF).
The event has been made possible thanks to support from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Arts Council England.
Any businesses interested in sponsorship opportunities should email Giant.Spectacular@liverpool.gov.uk.
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