Partners and Resources
To make 'The Whale's Tale' we have worked with lots of amazing partner organisations. You can find out more about them below, as well as resources to learn more about whales, ocean conservation and how you can help.
Partner Organisations
It was important to us to involve different experts in the project. Many of them are based in Plymouth and the South West, and they all bring something special to 'The Whale's Tale'. They are listed below, and you can click on the links to their websites to find out more. Lots of them have their own educational resources available on their websites.
The National Marine Aquarium and Ocean Conservation Trust
The NMA is the UKs largest Aquarium, based in Plymouth, the UK's Ocean City! It is run by the Ocean Conservation Trust, and is the venue for our very first performances. You can visit their website by clicking here.
Ocean Recovery Project
Ocean Recovery Project are part of the umbrella initiative Keep Britain Tidy. They are based in Brixham Harbour, but travel all around the UK working with local communities to collect and recycle marine waste. We are working with them to use recycled fishing gear like rope and nets as materials for our set and puppets. You can visit their website by clicking here.
Whale and Dolphin Conservation
WDC are the world's leading cetacean charity. They work to protect whales and dolphins from captivity, hunting and environmental destruction. They have supported this project financially, as well as through guidance and support on education and current policy. They have a lot of educational resources on their website, which you can visit by clicking here.
Devon Fishermen's Mission
The Fishermen's Mission is the only national charity that works solely to support fishers and their families. It offers practical, financial and emotional support for those connected to this dangerous and unpredictable industry. The Devon branch is based in Brixham Harbour. We have met with fishers to chat about the project and hear about their lives, as well as gathering feedback on the script to ensure it reflects their voices. You can visit their website by clicking here.
Take A Part Plymouth
Take A Part Plymouth are a community arts organisation using art to connect people with their local area. They are based in Efford, Plymouth and have supported The Whale's Tale by setting up workshops as part of their activities programme. You can visit their website by clicking here.
Plymouth Sound National
Marine Park
Plymouth Sound is the UK's first National Marine Park, dedicated to promoting marine citizenship and conserving the diverse ocean habitats of the Sound. We have worked with them to learn about marine citizenship, and to run workshops as part of SeaFest 2024. You can visit their website by clicking here.
The Box Museum
The Box is an award winning museum, gallery and archive in Plymouth's city centre. They are hosting our workshops as part of SeaFest, in connection with their Planet Ocean exhibition. You can visit their website by clicking here.
Plymouth University Marine Institute
We have worked with cetacean scientist Dr Clare Embling and PhD student Beth Harvey to learn about different whale species, whale acoustics and the issues whales face in the modern ocean. Beth also specialises in fisheries research, which has been very valuable for the project. They have read our script and offered insights to ensure it is scientifically accurate as much as possible. You can visit the Marine Institute website by clicking here.
Plymouth University Arts Institute
The Arts Institute are hosting a performance and workshop in their House Theatre as part of our first week of shows. You can visit their website by clicking here.
Hermitage River Projects
Hermitage River Projects is a community moorings in London, working to promote education about the River Thames. Their floating community pierhouse was the venue for our first week of R&D in 2022. You can visit their website by clicking here.
Little Angel Theatre
The Little Angel is one of the UK's only dedicated puppet theatres. They supported our second R&D week by providing rehearsal space for us to work in. You can visit their website by clicking here
Lyndie's Workshop
Lyndie Wright is a world-renowned puppet maker and one of the founders of the Little Angel Theatre. She kindly supports our project by sharing her workshop space for making our puppets. You can visit her website by clicking here.
Art In The Docks
Art In the Docks is a community arts organisation based in the Royal Docks, East London. Whales would have been brought into these docks for processing, when the whaling industry was at its peak. This is our rehearsal venue for the show. You can find visit their website by clicking here.
Arts Council England
Arts Council England have funded both of our R&Ds and the first delivery phase of the show. Publicly available funding for the arts is vital for the industry. You can visit their website by clicking here.
Anne Lydiat
Anne Lydiat is an artist and researcher interested in the history of women at sea. She has generously donated to help fund the delivery phase of this project. You can visit her website by clicking here.