The Imagination Museum: Mayflower 400

From 2018-2021, The Imagination Museum: Mayflower 400 project brought to life museum collections, heritage sites, historical stories and themes through fun and engaging dance performances and workshops. It drew on the historic story of the Mayflower’s voyage from England to America in 1620, and began in Lincolnshire/Nottinghamshire, travelled via Hampshire and culminated in Plymouth in July 2021. This project was a development of Made By Katie Green's original Imagination Museum project.

To read a summary of the evaluation for our Imagination Museum: Mayflower 400 project, visit our blog here.

You can also read the full evaluation here and watch a 10 minute film about the project here.

“The piece itself was way more than I had imagined and was genuinely touching and more relevant to our current lives than I would have thought.” (audience feedback)

The Imagination Museum: Mayflower 400 project was produced by Made By Katie Green, supported financially using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England as part of the Strategic Touring programme, Hampshire Cultural Trust, The Box, West Lindsey, Plymouth, Nottinghamshire, Hampshire County and Bassetlaw District Councils, Pavilion Dance South West, the Surf the Wave programme, The Charter Trustees of East Retford and God's House Tower and also delivered in partnership with the Pilgrim Roots Regional Partnership, Transported, The Point and Plymouth Dance.

For more information about the national Mayflower 400 commemoration, please visit: http://www.mayflower400uk.org/about/

Performance credits

Directed by Katie Green

Choreographed and performed by: Sarah Blanc, Megan Griffiths and Lucy Starkey

With local dance artists: Emma Bouch, Amy O'Sullivan, Alice Shepperson (Pilgrim Roots), Sophie Douglas, Natalie Watson (Hampshire), Kaitlyn Howlett, Kane John Mills (Plymouth)

Writing: Anna Selby

Composition: Max Perryment with additional sound design by Beth Duke

Costume design: Anna Crilly and Berit Laageide

Workshop and care packages designed by Ruth Pigott

Dramaturg: Tom Cornford

Local Producers: Maggy Watkins (Pilgrim Roots), Charlotte Mackie (Hampshire), June Gamble (Plymouth)

Film and Photography: Roswitha Chesher

Company Producer: Claire Morton

Evaluation by Clearcut with initial framework and data collection by Elsa Urmston supported by Louisa Petts

The Imagination Museum: Mayflower 400, photographer Owen Benson; performers Sarah Blanc, Megan Griffiths, Lucy Starkey
The Imagination Museum: Mayflower 400; photo Owen Benson
The Imagination Museum: Mayflower 400; photo Steve Hatton
The Imagination Museum: Mayflower 400; photo Steve Hatton
The Imagination Museum: Mayflower 400; photo Steve Hatton
The Imagination Museum: Mayflower 400; photo Steve Hatton
The Imagination Museum: Mayflower 400; photo Steve Hatton
I always found history a topic that was inaccessible. This project breaks that down, takes down the barriers and makes it accessible. It drew me to the project because of that.
Project participant,
Just so beautiful, I’m utterly moved to see people moving together and how you have forged a sense of community despite all the difficulties.
Audience feedback,
I believe that contemporary dance is incredibly important in making change for people. There are local stories, stories within the museum, stories that people hold within the community that haven’t been explored and to have the opportunity to do that through dance is incredibly exciting.
Partner feedback,
The piece itself was way more than I had imagined and was genuinely touching and more relevant to our current lives than I would have thought.
Audience feedback,
I thought it was fabulous, really moving
Audience member,
unique, engaging, thought-provoking
Audience member,
enjoyable, different, innovative
Audience member,

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