Posted on 30th Sep
Newark Market Place will host a large-scale projected film on Friday 1 November as the Town Hall is illuminated with a fantastic animated tale.
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 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.
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, a box of props, their own inventions from a ‘tinker table’ or by making shapes with their own bodies.
At St Mary Magdalene Church Gardens, an interactive digital sound and light sculpture inspired by cosmic clouds and nebulas will be attracting passers-by from 5pm to 9pm. Celestial Sound Cloud has been created by Pif Paf Theatre, which has repurposed industrial materials and technology.
Coun 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.”
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!”
