John Sutch enlivens street drama

05 May 2012

Giant puppet Uncle Diver being plucked from the River Mersey at the city’s Pier Head.

Giant puppet Uncle Diver being plucked from the River Mersey at the city’s Pier Head.

John Sutch Cranes supplied ten units for Liverpool's outdoor spectacular Sea Odyssey. It was a three-day event that saw the team bringing to life 15 metre-tall statues and navigate them through the streets of the UK city.

The giant puppets - the Little Girl, measuring 9 m, and her 15 m Uncle, were walked through the city as part of celebrations to mark the 100th anniversary of the Titanic shipping disaster.

John Sutch Cranes worked alongside Liverpool City Council, artistic group Royal De Luxe and event management company Event Design Logistics, for six months prior to the event, to meticulously plan the journeys of the giant puppets.

Tower cranes, all terrain cranes and city cranes, reaching heights of up to 40 m, were brought in to bring the puppets to life. Supporting the giants as they made their journey, the cranes enabled key moments to become a reality, including plucking the Uncle from the River Mersey, hoisting the giant over the 40 m high arch at the gateway to China Town, laying the Little Girl to rest on her deck chair with her parasol and radio - the size of a large wardrobe, and enabling her to dance, to the delight of the crowds.

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