Home to a collection of artworks and photography by David Billingsley
The MAN Engine: Swansea 2018
Whilst performing at the Cinderella Pantomime, a client from “The Man Engine Organisation” came to spectate our show and was enthralled by our acting. Naturally, the client wanted us to be a part of a historical event, performing as copper miners. We all signed on without hesitation, here is what we got up to…
1. Practicing our performance
Our director Anna Parton and dance coach Jan Daymond, prepared a few dance routines for us. To encapsulate the mundane and repetitiveness of the copper smelting industry in the early 1930’s, we were separated into two small groups, each person titled to one of four acts / performances being…
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Stoke
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Pull (me – replacement)
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Turn by
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Pour (me)
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Strike (me)
We practiced every Friday and Sunday night every week, perfecting our entrances and performances. For the performance, I made up a character to perform as. His name, is Alwyn Evans. Alwyn has worked in the mines for years; his brother is a Train Conductor who helps to take the coal from Hafod Morfa to the Swansea Docks. In his spare time, he draws using stolen charcoal from the mines and the money he makes is used to buy his next pint.
2. Waterfront Museum – Town Centre March
On the day, we found ourselves making our way to the Waterfront Museum in the Swansea Marina around 10:30am. After getting ready in our costumes, we all marched to our chosen spots by Jan Daymond, our work boss.
Surely enough, some crowds started to gather around. At first, it felt rather daunting but, I saw that many were enjoying our performance and that made me feel really honoured and fantastic.
After the man engine made his first appearance at the waterfront, we were told to gather together with a marching band and walk through Swansea city, parading. I would never have thought to see Swansea City completely packed full of spectators.
We took turns carrying Copper Ore (fake copper ore) through the town Centre, we stopped to have the Copper Ore inspected of its quality and we managed to catch a small break in preparation for the night ahead.
3. Hafod Morfa Copper Works
After our quick breather, we made our way to Hafod Morfa, our last destination and birthplace of the Mining Industry in Swansea. We were tasked to perform our piece in random spots round the event site.
Finally, we were asked to position ourselves on the hill next to the copper works, looking down to the mass gathering of people below. The Man Engine presented itself in all its glory.
Then, we carried our copper ore down the hill and presented it to The Man Engine. From his inspection of it, came out, a heart of ore. The ore heart represented The Man Engine’s thanks to the Swansea copper works and that concluded the show.
When it was over, we all made our way back to our cars and made our way home.
Overall, a wonderful and memorable experience and, it was such an honour to be a part of this historical event. The only downside was that the Man Engine statue didn’t stand up in the town centre as it was advertised but, the entire experience more than made up for it.
