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A playful and dance duet for young audiences and families, suitable for indoor and outdoor spaces.
Long ago, the birds gathered to decide who should be their king. Should it be the strongest? The fastest? Or the bird with the most magnificent feathers? The King of the Birds brings this much-loved folktale to life through playful movement, music and birdy mischief. The proud Eagle and tiny Wren take flight in a lively dance duet filled with humour, surprises and moments of magic. Through their competition, the two birds discover that strength does not always come from being the biggest or loudest. With its playful storytelling and imaginative physicality, the work celebrates individuality and reminds us that even the smallest voice can have a powerful impact. Designed for audiences aged 3+ and their families, The King of the Birds is an accessible and enchanting performance that invites audiences into a world of feathers, flight and imagination. Artistic Intentions At the heart of The King of the Birds is a simple question: what makes a good leader? The traditional folktale provides a playful framework for exploring ideas around power, confidence, competition and individuality. By placing the tiny Wren alongside the much larger and more imposing Eagle, the work invites young audiences to question the idea that being the biggest or strongest makes someone the most powerful. The piece is rooted in physical storytelling, allowing the characters and their relationship to develop through movement, music and visual play rather than relying solely on spoken narrative. Bird-inspired movement, rhythm and physical comedy create an imaginative world that can be understood and enjoyed by very young audiences. A key intention in developing the work was to create a performance that is flexible, sustainable and connected to its audience. The duet has been developed for both indoor and outdoor spaces, allowing it to be presented in a range of environments and settings while maintaining a close relationship between performers and audience. The work embraces the joy of live performance: the silliness, unpredictability and shared experience of being together. It is playful, accessible and a little bit wild, inviting audiences to imagine what it might feel like to spread their wings and fly. Audiences The King of the Birds is created for young audiences aged 3+ and their families. The work is particularly suited to family festivals, outdoor events, community settings and venues looking for accessible dance performance for younger audiences. Its flexible format allows it to adapt to different performance environments while retaining the intimacy and playfulness of the original work. |
Image credit: Kris Kresak for Glasgow Life
Creative Team
Choreographer — Niamh O’Loughlin Dancer — Amy Lyster Dancer — Jack Anderson Composers — Eilon Morris & Zoe Katsilerou Costume Designer — Alison Brown Rehearsal Director — Dawn Hartley Funders & Supporters The King of the Birds was developed with support from
Performance History The King of the Birds has been presented at:
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