Midsummer Mystery

Bodo, Norway | 2024

Midsummer Mystery was created by Walk the Plank Director Liz Pugh and Producer John Wassell and commissioned by BODØ2024 to celebrate The European Capital of Culture Bodø in Norway.

The story was about a captain lost in time who needed to signal his fishing boat to get home. This gave shape to a telescopic tower which was raised by gathered crowds, pulling together as one.

The timber tower was inspired by signalling towers and articulated structures that populate the Bodø coastline. Leaning into the theme of language and communication, the set included a watch tower, bell tower and three icons of the native Sami symbols for sun, tree and the fire goddess Sarahkka. These indigenous and industrial images were connected through material, colour and form to create a common language at the heart of a large-scale social relation.

As the rising tower reached its zenith, it exploded into a spectacle of light and colour in an ode to midsummer, burning to the ground as a beautiful bonfire.

The set was inhabited by the captain, his boat elf and the fairytale Mischief Makers. The work featured an original script and original score.

Costume design was by Colin Eccleston, Pyro and SFX design was by Richard Babington.

Midsummer Mystery was shortlisted for the Space & Object category of the World Stage Design Awards 2025, held in Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates.

Photo Credits David Engmo & Fredrik Stenbro