Ancient Giants

BACK TO TFS 2025

The image shows the walkabout puppet from the performance Ancient Giants. A giant 10ft Hanuman puppet, the Monkey God, strides through an open outdoor space,seemingly as tall as the trees in the background. His golden crown has a red leaf engraved in its centre. His round, red and gold earrings and golden necklace shine as brightly as his crown, and his deep brown eyes are intently focused ahead. His body is powerful and strong, with golden and bronze metal bracelets surrounding his legs, body and arms. In his right hand, Hanuman holds his weapon - a gada - a mace. The three puppeteers operating him and the surrounding heads of the audience members demonstrate his towering height.

Ancient Giants

By Inspirate

 

Walkabout*
Shows at 11.50am, 2pm and 4pm, all start and finish at Buttercross (Location 4)
Each walkabout lasts 30 mins
Suitable for all ages
Touch Tour and Audio Decription available

 

Giant puppets, dance and marshall arts combine in this walkabout show.

Inspired by the ancient South Asian tales she’s heard throughout her childhood, a young girl called Shanti imagines an epic battle between Hanuman the Monkey God and Ravana the Demon King.

This extraordinary encounter is brought to life through an exciting fusion of large scale puppetry, dance and martial arts.

As Shanti imagines this battle taking place, she explores her own strength and courage, and the complex struggle between good, evil, honour and loyalty.

Hanuman and Ravana are majestically depicted in this dynamic pop up performance, an interpretation that’s been inspired by a pivotal moment in the original Ramayana tale, when these two powerful characters meet and face each other.

Join these 10ft puppets as they interact with the audience during a walkabout, and make their way to confront each other in a dramatic finale.

 *As a walkabout show, this act will move through the streets from its starting point indicate. Ancient Giants will weave its way back to Buttercross for the finale of each show. 

Images © Jamie MacMillan, Lamar Francois and Anna Hornby

Access
  • Live Audio Description
  • Live BSL Interpretation
  • An pre-recorded audio description audio book is available  – see below. It’s recommended to listen to this before the show but it can also be listened to afterwards.
  • There will the the opportunity to listen to the audiobook in Buttercross at 11am. Headphones will be provided.
  • A Touch Tour will take place at 11.30am at Buttercross
  • Accessible viewing area

 

Audio Description Audio Book

Click on the links below to listen to  the audio description of Ancient Giants which takes you into the visual and sensory world of the story, narrated by the central character of Shanti. It’s recommended to listen to this before the show but it can also be listened to afterwards.

This audiobook is available in two formats:

  • Entire audiobook – to be listened to all the way through without breaks
  • Chapter version of audiobook – separated into four shorter chapters

 

InspirateUK · Ancient Giants – Audio Description

 

Credits

Supported by Arts Council England originally created with support from Without Walls.

Ancient Giants is brought to The Full Shebang with support from Without Walls.

Without Walls Logo

Ancient Giants was originally commissioned by Just So Festival and Brighton Festival, as part of the Without Wall Creation & Touring Programme

Puppet Designer & Maker – Tom Cleaver

Puppetry & Rehearsal Direction – Rayo Patel

Choreographic Mentor – Shreya Vadnerkar

Martial Arts Choreography – Chirag Lukha

Soundtrack composed by Devesh Sodha

Executive Producer & Co-Creator – Parmjit Sagoo

 

About Inspirate

Inspirate is a diverse-led organisation that produces and delivers culturally dynamic experiences to audiences from across the UK and beyond.

They celebrate the intertwined culture of South Asia and the UK, nurturing rich collaborations and cultural fusions that explore the roots and evolution of contemporary South Asian arts and culture.

Their work centres upon the South Asian diaspora, examining the dialogue between heritage, roots, migration and intersecting identities. We fully embrace the creative alchemy and artistic richness that the diasporic experience inspires within communities and society.

They welcome people from all walks of life to their festivals and projects, pioneering shared and inclusive spaces to experience arts and culture.

www.inspirate.org