Where the Wildflowers Grow

‘Where the Wildflowers Grow’

By Nick Kavanagh

Pockets O’Hara lives in a tiny room in the city. This room has one miniature, circular window, which alerts him to the passage of time. Early each day, he walks the streets planting seeds in the cracks between pavements, bringing vibrant colour to the grey cityscape of towering buildings. With no garden of his own, Pockets reclaims the city, little by little, growing plants whenever and wherever he can.

‘Where the Wildflowers Grow’ is a charming, site-responsive, interactive piece of theatre by Waterford playwright and Theatre Royal artist in residence Nick Kavanagh (Curious State Theatre Company, Waterford Spraoi) which promenades through the Theatre Royal building and out on to Waterford city’s streets.

The show commences in Pockets’ small abode, in the Theatre Royal, before flowing out into the theatre’s urban biodiversity garden and onto the nearby city streets. Pockets and his troupe of actor-musicians will guide their young audience in live music and song on a magical journey through time, space, illuminations, and aural reimaginings in this charming, unplugged, climate-conscious, theatrical experience. On the way they’ll meet Mag and Mig, mischievous, musical magpies who live on the Mall. One for sorrow, two for joy, Mag is girl and Mig is a boy. They spend their day scavenging for food and collecting shiny trinkets discarded or misplaced by the citizens as they make their way through the Viking triangle.

Throughout the footprint of the city centre, Pockets will show the children the vast, wild garden he has created - a garden which feeds him daily and nourishes his soul, and gives him a sense of pride and a reason to get out into the world. No one knows his real name; he is simply referred to as “Pockets” because of the plants growing from his overcoat. He harvests rain water from the city’s down pipes in recycled containers and feeds his hundreds of little growing things. Pockets has found that talking and singing to the plants helps them grow bigger and brighter. His music has helped blackberries to blossom down by the old derelict school, numerous herbs to bloom in the potholes of the park laneway, a feast of potatoes to grow in an discarded tyre on the quayside, and even an apple tree to grow from a chimney pot on top of the second-hand bicycle shop. Not everyone likes his pastime—some even actively sabotage his plants—meaning Pockets is constantly replanting and finding new places on his mission to create the most beautiful wild garden the world has ever seen.

As this is an outdoor event, please wear suitable clothing and footwear

Please note that this event includes a choice of three interactive workshops after the show, with spaces on each being allocated on a first come first served basis. You can indicate your preference on the booking confirmation page. Workshop descriptions below.

Workshop A – Moss Murals Max 12

Moss Murals, is a lively, hands-on workshop for budding gardeners and newcomers. Explore how to create living murals with visual artist Aga Krym. Aga uses her stunning artwork, made from moss and other growing things, to breathe life into mundane outdoor spaces. Roll up your sleeves and let the fun begin.

Workshop B – Magpie Music Makers Max 12

Magpie Music Makers, is a magical workshop which explores the music of Where The Wildflowers Grow. Join Kate Powell and Killian Browne as they unlock the secrets to creating music and sound design for live performance. No need to be a singer or a musician but it will certainly help.

Workshop C – How to Grow a Show Max 21

How to Grow a Show is a practical performance workshop with the director of ‘Where The Wildflowers’ Grow, Nick Kavanagh. This exhilarating workshop will explore character creation, storytelling and performing outdoors.

‘Where the Wildflowers Grow’ is a recipient of the Creative Climate Action fund, an initiative from the Creative Ireland Programme. It is funded by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media in collaboration with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. The fund supports creative, cultural and artistic projects that build awareness around climate change and empower citizens to make meaningful behavioural transformations.