Sweeney Untethered: A Performance by Adderstone

Join this unique storytelling event to see Adderstone’s take on the strange and wonderful epic of Mad Sweeney. The music-infused performance will take place throughout the Forest of Flowers, with the audience becoming immersed in the story and the beautiful surroundings. As we weave through the habitat, we'll see vibrant wildflowers, ponds and woodland, plus the magical wildlife in full swing at the height of summer.

Tea, coffee and homemade cakes are included and will be served after the performance. The walk around the habitat will be approximately 1.5 miles, with some uneven ground.

Sweeney Untethered

This is the story of a 7th century Irish king who went mad, and grew feathers… it could happen to anybody!

The tale is full of vengeful saints, malevolent hags, forlorn romance, wild leaping, rapturous ranting, and weirdly canny otters. But there’s also something terribly modern about Mad Sweeney’s quest. Is he a dangerous lunatic, or a restless visionary? Has he fallen out of love with people because he’s fallen in love with the wild?

What happens when we get untethered from where we belong? Grab tight onto Adderstone’s coattails and follow Sweeney’s careening, sometimes hilarious, often heartbreaking journey through the wildest places in Ireland (or rather, Forest of Flowers!).

About Adderstone

Adderstone are storytellers and singers Cath Heinemeyer and Gemma McDermott. They interweave rich harmonies, rhyme and rhythm into their storytelling. They’ve untethered Sweeney at theatres and storytelling festivals around the country but have always longed to bring him to a natural setting, so this will be a truly one-off experience.

Audience reviews for Sweeney Untethered:

‘Such a gift and is proving to be most thought provoking! Beautiful singing.’

‘Gentle but affirmative, humorous and genuine.’

‘A wonderful relaxed rapport with the audience and the harmonies were like butter!’

About Forest of Flowers

The project has created 74 acres of new woodland and wildflower meadows in Huby, York, with the sole aim to provide a thriving natural sanctuary for wildlife.

The land, previously a mixed arable and sheep farm, was re-purposed in 2016 when over 42,000 trees and shrubs were planted, alongside 35 native wildflower species. The project has also created 18 large ponds. This is all part of a vision to create a thriving ecosystem to benefit pollinators, birds and a diverse range of native wildlife.

Since the habitat was created the site now has:

· 140+ plant species

· 315 species of moth

· 24 species of butterfly

The Forest of Flowers has also been the number 1 site for recorded butterfly sightings in Yorkshire since 2020.

Fundraising

All funds raised from the event go to support the Forest of Flowers project, which is developing a thriving habitat for wildlife across 74 acres.