GIANT

We travelled into Epping Forest for an extraordinary theatrical concert, as oak trees are transformed and branches become the stage for a performance unlike any other.

Premiering new tree song Epping by Robert Macfarlane with music composed by Oliver Weeks. A chorus of children, guest soloists, London Forest Choir and Tottenham Community Choir sang to the grand giants of the forest, with works by John Clare, Grace Nichols, Benjamin Zephaniah and Oscar Wilde’s The Selfish Giant.

Developed by Arts and Gardens, climbing concerts aim to connect children with parks and forest environments in a creative way.

Thirty-five children from Waltham Forest schools accompanied the choirs, including students from St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, St Mary’s C of E Primary School, Selwyn Primary School and Longshaw Primary Academy School. 

GIANT was composed by Oliver Weeks, directed by David Antrobus, designed by Samantha Dowson, with music direction by Tom Appleton and movement direction by Beatrice Perini

Sohini Alam and Elenor Bowers-Jolley featured as guest sopranos, with music performed by Anisa Arslanagic, Ben Heartland and Oliver Weeks. 

Find out more about future climbing concerts from Arts and Gardens