Animated film ‘A Likely Story’ to be projected onto Newark Town Hall, produced by Electric Egg and supported by Newark Creates and Newark and Sherwood District Council

An animated film which celebrates Newark’s heritage will be projected on the Town Hall.

In a first for the town centre the facade of Newark Town Hall will be illuminated with the animated tale ‘A Likely Story’ produced by Electric Egg.

The film will follow fictional characters Harriet and friends as they explore the history of Newark and find stories every corner.

Electric Egg have previously written and created films projected in Gainsborough and Lincoln and, for this project, spent a lot of time researching the town and met with the National Civil War Centre.

This animation will run in regular intervals from 5.30pm until 9pm, on Friday, November 1.

It will be free to watch, without the need to pre-book. Visitors to the Market Place can simply turn up and enjoy the show.

The film is one just part of Newark Creates’ cultural programme which has seen the curation of free arts and heritage events and activities across Newark since it was established in 2021.

The night will feature free family friendly activities across the town, including shadow play activities in the National Civil War Centre’s atmospheric Tudor Hall, from 4pm to 8pm.

Meanwhile, at Newark Parish Church Gardens an interactive digital sound and light sculpture inspired by cosmic clouds and nebulas illuminate the trees, from 5pm to 9pm.

Claire Penny, portfolio holder for sustainable economic development at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “I’m really looking forward to seeing an important Newark landmark, the beautiful Town Hall, incorporated so meaningfully within this exciting and unique film.

“Thanks to its timing at the beginning of November, the event will also make a great alternative to fireworks displays for families choosing a different, quieter celebration.

“I hope that local people of all ages and visitors from further afield will come out to enjoy a really wonderful evening, making a night of it by enjoying the other activities on offer and visiting one of Newark’s brilliant eateries too.”

A representative from Electric Egg said: “From the start we are thinking about not only creating an engaging story but also about how we create a film that will work well on the canvas that we have to project it onto.

“In this case, we are using Newark Town Hall and we have been coming up with ways to be playful with the architecture to create a spectacle whilst also telling an engaging story across the façade of the building.

“A lot goes into a project like this, from the research all the way through to the final delivery. When the various scenes begin to take their final animated form and you start to combine the visuals with the soundtrack, actors voices and the sound design, this is incredibly rewarding, but the most rewarding part of these projects is watching it on the night with big audiences responding, laughing, and having a great time, that is a special feeling.”

Newark Creates is led by Newark’s Cultural Consortium, which is made up of several local organisations including Inspire Culture, Learning and Libraries, Newark and Sherwood District Council Heritage & Culture, Newark Civic Trust, Newark Heritage Forum, Newark Book Festival, Newark Town Council, and Newark College.