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Winter Light event captures Llandudno's mythical magic


November 16, 2019 - 1840 views

The very first sighting of Ychen Bannog, legendary beast from the Orme, is expected at Winter Light in Llandudno this weekend.

With the dark evenings approaching and the Great Orme increasingly shrouded in darkness and mist, people visiting the town have the chance of coming face to face with Ychen Bannog, a mythical beast that forms part of an exciting new winter parade.

‘Ychen Bannog’, an Ox-like beast, created by artist Dave Young, emerges from its centuries-deep slumber at the rear of the parade.

Breathing steam and awakening other monsters that have been lurking on this iconic rock for centuries. Winter Light promises to give visitors a unique experience which features performance, music and special effects.

Created and devised by Salford-based outdoor arts organisation Walk the Plank, ‘Winter Light – Golau Gaeaf’ promises to be a magical and mysterious theatrical spectacle which will make its way along Mostyn Street in a bizarre cavalcade of beasts, masked monsters, a Viking ship and a lost circus troupe from Llandudno’s glory days as a Victorian seaside destination.

‘Winter Light – Golau Gaeaf’ is very much a home-grown outdoor spectacle for all the family which will bring an exciting new dimension to the town’s Christmas market event.

As with all seaside towns, extending the season beyond the summer months is an important part of sustaining the local economy, while also giving both visitors and local people something fresh and different to experience.

Commissioned by Conwy County Borough Council, Venue Cymru and Conwy Arts Trust, Walk the Plank are working in partnership with video projection specialists Rob and Matt Vale of Illuminos to create this mysterious new story in two chapters.

The first is planned for Saturday November 16th with the second chapter planned on Saturday 14th December.

Ellie Turner, Winter Light Producer, explains: “Chapter One draws on a mix of themes that link myths and legends of the Orme with Llandudno’s more recent history as a popular tourist destination.

"We’re working with local artists and community groups to produce something really quite unique and distinctive which we hope will delight people of all ages.

"Chapter Two takes place a month later in December when our creative partners Illuminos continue the story with ‘The Mermaid’s Purse’, a series of stunning video projections on to a strip of buildings facing North Western Gardens.

"We’re being a bit cryptic about the precise details of both shows as we want the audience to be captivated by the mystery that surrounds them both when they experience them.”

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