About
'The Big One Hundred' is a magical new story for Ashdown Forest, where interactive performances, heathland walks and shared encounters reveal a curious new creature and invite audiences to write the Forest’s next chapter.
One hundred years ago, A.A Milne wrote about mythical beasts the Heffalump and Woozle living in the Hundred Acre Wood. Lead artists Trigger are now creating a brand-new character that will live in the Forest for the next 100 years.
The new character is a large and playful puppet that will feature characteristics of the rare heathland and species of Ashdown Forest, including the Dormouse, the Silver-studded Butterfly, the Adder, the Tiger Beetle and Nightjar. The puppet will be bought to life by eight performers and crafted using natural and reclaimed materials that echo the landscape. Audiences will encounter the creature through gentle, interactive performances while discovering how it cares for its forest friends, sparking curiosity, care, and a sense of wonder for the world around us.
Local children, families, and community groups will be invited to help imagine the Forest’s newest inhabitant, which will be revealed at Ashdown Forest during the school summer holidays before touring to locations across the district. Alongside this, five new walks will guide visitors deeper into the landscape, inviting you to learn more about the Forest’s unique and extraordinary wildlife.
We’ll also be working with Primary Schools in the region to deliver free creative workshops for children to help us imagine this mythical new creature – if you’d like to be involved, please email lea@triggerstuff.co.uk
Creative Team
Angie Bual - Creative Director
Angie leads on all of Trigger’s work and concepts. She directed PoliNations (Unboxed/ Birmingham 2022/ Glastonbury); Each Tiny Drop, MIF’s 2023 opening ceremony; Teabreak (Without Walls Commission); GROUND (Brighton International Festival), and was the Creative Director for The Hatchling (Plymouth, Wakefield, Queens Platinum Jubilee). Angie is the lead artist for The Big One Hundred.
Jack Irving - Designer
Originally from Blackpool and now based in East London, Irving is known for his futuristic, experimental practice that blends fantasy, deep-sea inspiration and transformative design. Irving’s work spans wearable art, immersive installations and public spectacle, and he is best known for his collaborations with global pop icons including Lady Gaga, Doja Cat, Katy Perry, Paris Hilton and the Spice Girls.
Laura Cubitt - Puppetry Director
Laura is an Olivier Award Winning Theatre Maker, specialising in Movement and Puppetry. A highly skilled and experienced visual storyteller, Laura is passionate about putting movement and puppetry at the heart of a story. Her recent work includes The Lion Inside, The Secret Garden and Pinocchio.
Oliver Hymans - Puppetry Consultant
Oliver Hymans is an award-winning puppetry artist from London. He has worked internationally across four continents, directing, designing and performing in theatre, opera, film, dance, circus and music videos. Oliver's designs have been presented at a range of world-leading institutions, including Tate Modern, The National Gallery, The Little Angel Theatre and The Royal Albert Hall.
About Trigger
Trigger are shapeshifting creatives who dream up, create and produce bold and brave live events.
Trigger reimagine and revive public spaces, interrupt daily life, and put audiences and togetherness at the heart of everything they do. Their varied output, ranging from The Hatchling - a groundbreaking puppetry and kite flying experience - to PoliNations, a magical pop-up garden featuring five 11m high architectural trees and thousands of live plants and flowers, is inclusive, accessible and aims to shine a light on the creativity of local communities and underrepresented talent. Trigger is for everyone, and everyone is invited.
About Ashdown Forest
Ashdown Forest, located in East Sussex, England, is one of the largest areas of rare lowland heathland in the South East and is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its unique habitats and biodiversity.
Once a medieval hunting forest, today it is celebrated for its wide, open heathland, ancient woodland, and rich wildlife, supporting species that are increasingly scarce across the UK. Owned by the Ashdown Forest Trust, it is managed by the Conservators of Ashdown Forest. Ashdown Forest was the real-life inspiration for the Hundred Acre Wood from A.A Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh books.
Credits
Ashdown Forest presents:
Created & Produced by Trigger
Supported by Wealden District Council, Arts Council England & The Ashdown Forest Foundation