Earth Hour at Theatr Clwyd


Earth Hour started in 2007, as an hour to turn non-essential lights off and reflect on environmental issues. It is held yearly and is organised by the World Wildlife Fund. It is a global event, creating a symbolic moment of support for the planet and raises awareness of the environmental issues affecting all of us. 

This year it was held on 25th March at 8.30pm. Through the Environmental Committee at Theatr Clwyd, it was decided to hold an event in the temporary bar area at the theatre. Discussions included how to power the event. It was decided that various performers would perform in the space aided by electric provided by bicycles. The committee researched the options and found a company who could provide the right amount of bikes to sufficiently power the event. 


Thirteen members of staff spent the hour cycling to provide the power for the speakers, microphones, lights etc. The sound of the bikes was could be heard all evening as a low whirling. The staff were guided by a traffic light, when the light was green enough electric was being provided. If the light was amber then they needed to pedal more and red was a warning that the electrics would be going off soon. 


Liam, CEO of Theatr Clwyd, gave a few words introduction at the beginning of the event. He explained, ‘As far as we know, this is the first event a theatre has run under human power for Earth Hour’. He described it as a symbolic moment on the theatre’s journey to being sustainably powered and sustainable in all definitions. 


The performers for the evening were:


  • Ben Wilson, spoken word

  • Isabelle Crowther - singer and guitarist

  • Sam - spoken word and guitarist

  • Catrin - singer and harpist

  • Katliyn Giligan - singer song writer


The performances were fantastic, some reflecting on the Earth’s Hour poignancy. 


The backdrop to the stage had been created with the young people’s workshops. They had created an Earth out of recycled cardboard and wrote a poem:



Liam ended the event by saying he hoped the theatre could enable change in others.




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