Hello Bird,
Hello Fish!
Commissioned by Art Works Hall Green and The Springfield Project, B’Opera’s children’s opera Hello Bird, Hello Fish! was created with and for the Springfield community -their voices, ideas and experiences are interwoven into the fabric of the story.
The Story
Lost Bird and Noisy Fish seem to belong to different worlds, but they’re both lonely and longing for friendship. They meet and bond over a shared lullaby, and their connection deepens when Lost Bird bravely rescues Noisy Fish from danger.
Young and old will find plenty to delight, from the pre-show immersive sensory experience, to sparkling fireflies, a playful procession of kazoos, a rapping Queen Bee, and lots of opportunities to join in in a relaxed atmosphere. Audiences are invited to reflect on how we care for our environment as they watch Noisy Fish and Lost Bird’s narrow escape from a plastic net, surrounded by Rukhsana Sardar’s costumes and set made entirely from recycled textiles.
Hello Bird, Hello Fish! is a joyful, musical adventure for children aged 0–5 and their families. With live singing, a blend of classical and original music, and a heartwarming message of friendship and inclusion that transcends difference, this B’Opera performance is a celebration of connection and community.
Specialising in work with very young children, the B’Opera performers expect children to join in, move around and actively engage with the performance. They work sensitively to allow children to express themselves freely. This is what the arts are about, and what children do so well – that sense of flow and complete immersion in an experience. It’s what the arts offer to many of us as adults, an opportunity to step out of ordinary life and fully exist in a space where we can be a different version of ourselves, where we feel alive in a new way.
Sarah Robbins,
CEO Springfield Project
Me and my child really enjoyed the show. I can't believe that he (22 month old) sat through the whole show without fussing. The singing was beautiful and the whole show was very engaging. Thank you for a lovely experience."
- Kiran and Amaan
"Amazing how without any words you can express so many ideas and emotions."
- Audience member
"I felt happy about the show."
- Aleena and Anayah
The story of lost bird and her attempts to make friends and find somewhere to belong was performed through a combination of opera, classical music, and specially composed pieces, including kazoos, beatboxing bees and a beautiful lullaby sung in Urdu. I know I wasn’t the only one with tears in
my eyes when Lost Bird and Noisy Fish recognised their connection and, using Makaton, expressed their friendship.
Sarah Robbins,
CEO Springfield Project
