Last month I promised to write more on the origins of The Colour of Dinosaurs, my new show being premiered in a week-long run at Bristol Old Vic at the end of October.
The Colour of Dinosaurs began with a conversation I had with my good friend Dom Coyote about three years ago. Chatting over dinner and a bottle of wine, Dom told me about his recent encounter with Dr Jakob Vinther, a Danish palaeontologist at Bristol University. Jakob is world-renowned in his profession as the first scientist to discover how fossilised dinosaurs could be analysed to paint an accurate picture of their colour and appearance when they were alive. By zooming in on melanin pigment preserved in their fossils, Jakob confirmed the dinosaurs were far more diverse and multicoloured than many of us might have first imagined. Forget the grey or brown dinosaurs you see in the movies - many of these creatures were bright, stripy and fantastically kaleidoscopic!
I was immediately hooked - not only by Jakobβs amazing scientific achievement but also because I knew my own body produces very little melanin. My fair skin, blonde hair and vision impairment are caused by a condition known as ocular albinism, and I was curious to understand more how melanin - which governs the appearance of every single one of us - could effectively unlock the appearance of creatures who roamed the earth millions of years ago. The seed of The Colour of Dinosaurs was firmly planted there and then.
Images by Liz Counsell, Bristol Old Vic, October 2023
Ever since that dinner, and a number of explorative conversations with Jakob, the idea has gathered momentum. Dom subsequently set up a new company of makers, musicians and performers called Otic with producer Liz Counsell. Together, we secured funding and support from Ferment, Bristol Old Vicβs new writing programme. Earlier this year, we were over the moon to be awarded a Partner Award from Unlimited and Polka Theatre, which means the show will be presented at Polkaβs beautiful London home in 2024. Polka are industry leaders in making theatre for children, and as the idea developed it quickly became clear this would be a brilliant subject to explore for curious audiences of all ages. After all, who doesnβt know a young child completely obsessed with all things related to the Jurassic age?!
Iβm so proud of the team weβve assembled. Dom is both performing and directing with dramaturgical assistance from Kyla Goodey. Jakob is stepping onto the theatrical stage for the very first time and is a complete natural. Our brilliant band of dinosaur detectives is completed by musician/actors Victoria Oruwari, Roxana Vilk and Harry Miller - all extraordinary artists. The beautiful script has been crafted by the writer Malaika Kegode - whose autobiographical show Outlier knocked my socks off when I saw it a few years ago. Iβve been deeply moved by the generosity, energy and creativity not only of the performers - who are all performing versions of ourselves - but also the production team behind the scenes too. I hope the joy and creativity of the rehearsal room comes across in the images accompanying this blog post, taken by producer Liz.
I believe we are making something truly unique: a prehistoric science pop gig that will move, enthral, educate and entertain people who see it. I hope audiences will go home not only humming the songs and music Iβve written - which take influence from a huge range of music from 70s disco to reggae, glam rock to synth pop - but also gently prompt them to reflect on a number of themes including the accruement of scientific knowledge, race, disability, identity and difference.
The Colour of Dinosaurs runs at Bristol Old Vicβs Weston Studio from 20-28 October, during schools half term. Age guidance is 6+. If you plan on joining us, donβt delay getting your tickets as all the shows are selling well and capacity is limited.
And donβt forgetβ¦ bring your own dinosaur!