It may not be Sir David Attenborough, but the message is clear when the Detritus of the Deep stalks the streets of Belfast’s Festival of Fools this coming Bank Holiday weekend.
Ross Wheeler’s extraordinary performance will be on from Saturday, May 4 through the Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday twice a day in Cornmarket.
Ross explains what exactly is the Detritus of the Deep is: “He comes in the form of a strange spirit, draped head to toe, embodied and bound by the mysteries at the bottom of the ocean. Here to roam this strange world above the surface with an important message for its people.”
Originally from Cornwall Ross is now settled in Antrim, with wife Laura and their two children.
The 27-year-old started the Hotch Potch performance company with his wife after they met while Ross was studying for his Street Arts BA (Hons) Degree.
Despite his performance work, studying for a horticulture course and maintaining two private gardens, Ross is clear what his biggest challenge has been.
“Moving to Northern Ireland with a heavily pregnant wife with baby number two and starting from scratch, finding self-employed arts work with our own company and enough flexible work to pay the rent.
“Luckily there is a huge welcoming art scene here and I’ve now found flexible permanent work.”
Detritus of the Deep will be making its Belfast début, after being commissioned for a show in Cork last year. But ross and Laura have taken shows across the UK, Ireland and further afield.
“We’ve been touring mostly in the South West of England, after graduating and we went to the London 2012 Olympics, Art De La Rou 2012 (Amiens Arts Festival, France), also Glastonbury 2014,” Ross said. “Since other productions highlights were Larmer Tree Festival, Shambala Festival and Somerfest Arts Festival.”
The couple’s Café Petite and the Tiny Tour in 2014 was one of the highlights of their career to date, but Detritus of the Deep is the very visual walkabout act stalking the streets of Belfast in the Festival of Fools.
“It is a larger than life reflection of our impact on the natural world, hoping to inspire people to think about our relationship with it,” Ross said.
And, he is looking forward to performing, after witnessing the wonder of Festival of Fools for the first time in 2018.
“Last year was my first, it’s amazing to see a huge mix of world class street theatre both from Northern Ireland and around the world,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to just performing in the streets of Belfast for the unsuspecting public and being small part of a big program of amazing arts to hit the city.”
However, he is also looking forward to a change.
“While I’m hoping to do more work in the Republic of Ireland it will also be seeing my wife Laura performing in Hotch Potch whilst I look after the kids for a change!”
This year’s Festival of Fools takes place from Friday 3 – Monday 6 May
It is jam-packed full of the best local and international circus and street arts talent. Expect to be dazzled and delighted as professional and community performers from around the globe capture your imagination, wow you with their skills and escort your dropped jaw through the streets of Belfast.
This year the festival is once again supported by Arts Council for Northern Ireland; Belfast City Council; Department for Communities; Destination CQ; Tesco; Tourism Northern Ireland; Third Source; Excalibur Press; Ramada Encore Hotel.
For full details on the Festival of Fools check out the programme on the websitewww.foolsfestival.com