Centenary Square, 17 - 20 March 2022
Motionhouse were commissioned by Birmingham Commonwealth Games to create a large-scale launch spectacle to mark the start of Birmingham Festival 2022.
OPUS are thrilled to have been the Producers for the brand new show, Wondrous Stories.
A six month festival shining a global spotlight on creativity in the West Midlands, Birmingham Festival 2022 runs from March through to beyond the conclusion of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. It will feature hundreds of creative commissions across the region including art, photography, dance, theatre, digital art and more.
Wondrous Stories is a free outdoor spectacle; blending Motionhouse's unique choreographic style with dazzling aerial surprises, spoken word and a brand new musical score, the show draws inspiration from George Dawson’s “Everything for Everybody”, the Shakespeare Collection in the library and contemporary diverse perspectives in order to present a work that speaks from us all, to us all.
Collaboratively with Motionhouse, OPUS worked with a multitude of local stakeholders, professional dancers, Freewheelin, The Choir With No Name, and Critical Mass, who brought together hundreds of community cast members.
Getty // Matthew Lewis
In The Bag Photography
In The Bag Photography
Getty // Matthew Lewis
You can re-watch the live streamed performance here.
Relive the magic!
As Producers for the show, we were ultimately responsible for integrating all Production, Creative and Event teams. Here's just a few of the project-specific things OPUS managed:
Stakeholder Liaison
Accessibility Planning and Provision (OPUS now owns a brand new set of Audio Description headsets!)
BCU Professional Placements for Four Stage Management Students to ASM on the production
Volunteer Recruitment and Management
Welfare Provisions on Site
Accreditation and Artist Liaison
Costume and Wardrobe Team Management
Team
Commissioner
Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games // Birmingham 2022 Festival
Collaborators
Artistic - Motionhouse
Production & Technical - JA Productions
Creative Team
Artistic Director - Kevin Finnan
Composers - Sophy Smith and Tim Dickinson
Video and Projection - Logela Multimedia
Associate Choreographers - Sonia Sabri and Jamaal O'Driscoll
Guest Performances by Freewheelin and Choir With No Name
Storytellers - Sebbie Mudhai, Leon Finnan and Raza Hussain
Lighting Design by Light Refreshment
Costume Consultant - Sophie Donaldson
Costume Design - BA Hons Costume Design & Practice, Birmingham City University
Community Cast - Critical Mass
Production
Production Design by JA Productions
Production and Operations Director - John Adkins
Production Manager - Samuel Adkin
Stage Manager - Stacey Griffin
Show Caller - Rich Hale
We have a dynamic and exciting partnership with OPUS where all the moving parts of the creative concept and/or the artistic vision are in synch with the production and operational compliance ensuring successful and sustainable delivery every time.
John Adkins
Managing Director - JA Productions
Technical Production Partner
Highly professional, confident, forward thinking and flexible when needed, OPUS really delivers what it promises and more, all with great flair, care, attention to detail and an unflinching determination to deliver the very best.