SOMERSET Wildlife Trust has secured funding to put a unique outdoor participatory theatrical experience.

SWT worked with the Somerset-based Wassail Theatre Company to put in an application to Arts Council England and The Mackintosh Foundation to create an all new production of The Somerset Charabanc (pronounced sha-ra-bang) for 2019.

The Charabanc itself is a 1920’s miller’s cart pulled slowly by two Suffolk Punch horses, and audience and performers share the space for the duration of the storytelling performance.

This year’s story and adventure - delivered in association with two inventive Somerset’s performance companies: Mumblecrust Theatre and Pocketfluff Productions, will be set against the backdrop of Westhay Moor National Nature Reserve on the Avalon Marshes.

The all-new story, written by Wassail’s Nick White, will focus on addressing important socio-environmental issues surrounding the topic of climate change that are relevant both internationally and locally in Somerset – particularly those that affect the wonderful wetland wildlife and ecology of this internationally significant wetland site on the Avalon Marshes.

Performances will run between May 29 to June 16 and tickets will go on general sale from April 23, with further details being published shortly on the Somerset Wildlife Trust website.

Katie Arber of Somerset Wildlife Trust said: “We’re so excited to be working on this project in partnership with Wassail Theatre Company, an unusual relationship, but one that reflects the growing connection between arts, culture and conservation.

The Somerset Charabanc will provide a new and exciting way of experiencing our nature reserves, and the species that live there.