Online communities watch a creative journey into the history of planet earth

30 Sep 2016 01:21 PM

A unique piece of theatre telling the story of geology and the history of our planet was screened live online from the English Riviera Global Geopark this week.

The premiere of Earth Echoes, which opened the 7th International Conference on UNESCO Global Geoparks, was created and performed by talent from across the English Riviera Global Geopark community, with Hugh Nankivell, Mark Laville, GeoCollective, Doorstep Arts andBournemouth Symphony Orchestra.

Earth Echoes is such a great example of how music and the arts can bring communities together to tell a personal story. Lisa Tregale, Head of BSO Participation

Guided by a team of geologists, performers travelled through time and space and into the bowels of the earth, using voice, music, performance and multimedia. They discovered how the continents form and change and track life from earliest earth to the complexity of the life we know today, whilst also reflecting on the great extinctions where human activities started to have a significant global impact on Earth's geology and ecosystems.

The English Riviera Geopark Organisation (ERGO) was awarded £49,985 from our National Lottery funded Grants for the arts programme towards the creation of Earth Echoes, a project inspired by the history, unique geology and culture of the world’s one hundred and twenty UNESCO Global Geoparks.

Torbay is a priority area for us and we’re delighted that this grant will support the community in being a part of such an important global event. Phil Gibby, Area Director, Arts Council England, South West.

A Geopark is concerned with conservation of natural heritage, sustainable economic development, promotion of science education and community engagement.

The project was informed by research from GeoOpera Artistic Director Mark Laville, Plymouth University Geosciences and geological experts and brought together exceptional talent to perform at the opening ceremony including National portfolio organisation Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.

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