Spectacular animated projection is a first of its kind for Newark

An Electric Egg production, ‘A Likely Story’ is a first of its kind for Newark town centre and will follow fictional characters Harriet and friends as they enjoy a historical escapade through the history of Newark, where stories lie around every corner. Electric Egg have previously written and created films projected in Gainsborough and Lincoln and, for this project, have conducted multiple research visits to the town and met with the National Civil War Centre – Newark Museum’s Kevin Winter.

There’s no need to pre-book or pay, simply wrap up warm and visit Newark Market Place to secure your viewing spot for free. This wonderful animation will run in regular intervals from 5.30pm until 9pm.

The evening, a follow-on from last year’s hugely popular light show at St Mary Magdalene Church, is part of the Newark Creates cultural programme which has seen the curation of free arts and heritage events and activities across Newark since it was established in 2021. This year, the programme has been supported by Newark Town Board’s Newark Heart project, alongside the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, creating opportunities for more activities within these well-established events than ever before!

The night will also see family fun spread out across the town with free shadow play activities in the National Civil War Centre’s atmospheric Tudor Hall. From 4pm to 8pm, visitors will be able to enjoy creating strange shadows using lights and screens, an amazing box of props, their own inventions from a ‘tinker table’ or by making shapes with their own bodies! Meanwhile, over at St Mary Magdalene Church Gardens, an interactive digital sound and light sculpture inspired by cosmic clouds and nebulas will be wowing passers-by from 5pm to 9pm. Celestial Sound Cloud has been created by Pif Paf Theatre who have repurposed industrial materials and technology to create a beautiful, playful experience.

This is just one of many engaging events hosted in the vibrant town of Newark, which hosts activities all year-round and boasts a wide array of independent shops, cafes, and restaurants. These make it an excellent destination for a family outing and offer lots of great options to extend your visit and enjoy a bite to eat after the show.

Councillor Claire Penny, Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Economic Development at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “I’m really looking forward to seeing an important Newark landmark, the beautiful Town Hall, incorporated so meaningfully within this exciting and unique film. Thanks to its timing at the beginning of November, the event will also make a great alternative to fireworks displays for families choosing a different, quieter celebration. I hope that local people of all ages and visitors from further afield will come out to enjoy a really wonderful evening, making a night of it by enjoying the other activities on offer and visiting one of Newark’s brilliant eateries too.”

A Likely Story has been created by Electric Egg, a creative video production company based in Lincolnshire and founded by collaborators Neil Baker and Steven Hatton. They said of the project: “From the start we are thinking about not only creating an engaging story but also about how we create a film that will work well on the canvas that we have to project it onto. In this case, we are using Newark Town Hall and we have been coming up with ways to be playful with the architecture to create a spectacle whilst also telling an engaging story across the facade of the building.

“A lot goes into a project like this, from the research all the way through to the final delivery. When the various scenes begin to take their final animated form and you start to combine the visuals with the soundtrack, actors voices and the sound design, this is incredibly rewarding, but the most rewarding part of these projects is watching it on the night with big audiences responding, laughing, and having a great time, that is a special feeling.”

Newark Creates is led by Newark’s Cultural Consortium, which is made up of several local organisations including Inspire Culture, Learning & libraries, Newark and Sherwood District Council Heritage & Culture, Newark Civic Trust, Newark Heritage Forum, Newark Book Festival, Newark Town Council, and Newark College.

Carol Newman, Director of Inspire: Culture, Learning and Libraries, the lead partner in the Consortium, said: “This year’s new funding from Newark Heart, along with that from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, has allowed us to really flex our creativity and bring some truly incredible projects to Newark; I think A Likely Story will be the icing on the cake and hope lots of local people can come out to enjoy it.”

Louise Casey-Simpson, Chair of the Newark Towns Fund, said: “The partnership between Newark Heart and Newark Creates has been really fruitful this year, with so many people visiting the town to enjoy events at Newark-on-Sea, Newark Festival and the Book Benches. We’re so lucky to live in such a vibrant and creative place and it’s a joy sharing it with others at these events too; I can’t wait to join the crowds for A Likely Story next!”

To find out more about Newark Creates and upcoming events, follow Newark Creates on Facebook or visit www.newarkcreates.co.uk.