Eco Drama in association with Platform presents The Whirlybird, an uplifting theatre show for children aged 3-7, featuring movement, music, bird song, puppetry and lots of things that spin!
In a cosy nest, two birds look skyward and get ready for their maiden flight. While flying comes easy for Bird, Whirlybird just can’t get the hang of it. After many failed attempts, inspiration is found in a very special flying seed…
A curious creature, ricketie-racketie on ground but in flight, a wildlife spectacle – a blizzard of wings, perfect elliptical twirls, a mass of orange and browns and a cacophony of sound!
The Whirlybird is a funny, playful and moving piece of visual theatre about learning to fly, encouraging one another and finding joy and inspiration in nature.
With a beautiful music score by award-winning composer Greg Sinclair and set and costume by Claire Halleran, The Whirlybird draws inspiration from the natural world to celebrate diversity and uniqueness and the wonder of flight.
The production was developed in collaboration with Platform Arts Centre and children at Buchlyvie Nursery in Glasgow, with support from Creative Scotland.
“A delightful show… slips from hilarity to pathos with ease, and keeps the children transfixed. With a colourful, autumnal set festooned with pine cones, a birdhouse, feathers and toadstool and gorgeous wee puppets, it is sure to fly further afield, soar, and keep going.” 
Lorna Irvine, The List, read the full review.
The Whirlybird Trailer from Eco Drama on Vimeo.
The Whirlybird toured from March 2019 to March 2020, reaching 4,376 audience members through 113 performances in 56 nurseries, schools, theatres, community venues and festivals across Scotland, including dates at the Puppet Animation Festival 2019. The spring 2020 tour, which had 49 dates booked across Scotland and the UK, was unfortunately cut short due to Covid-19 in March 2020. We were able to deliver 27 of the 49 dates and will be revisiting some of the previously postponed venues in 2023.
Touring 2023
The Whirlybird will be back on the road in Autumn 2023. We’ll be visiting a selection of venues across Scotland, plus 17 schools, nurseries and community venues in Glasgow as part of our project funded by the Glasgow Communities and Place Fund.
Saturday 7th October 11.30am & 2pm : Cumbernauld Theatre at Lanternhouse
Thursday 12th October 12 noon : Byre Theatre, St Andrews
Saturday 14th October 10.30am & 1.30pm: Linn Park Adventure Playground (private performances for ASN centre users)
Thursday 19th October 11am & 2pm : The Village Storytelling Centre
Friday 20th October 11am & 2.30pm : Johnstone Town Hall
Saturday 21st October 11am & 2pm : Harbour Arts Centre, Irvine
To book a performance for your theatre, community venue, school or nursery during late September – November 2023, please contact [email protected]
Whirlybird Teaser from Eco Drama on Vimeo.
Reviews
“A delightful show… slips from hilarity to pathos with ease, and keeps the children transfixed. With a colourful, autumnal set festooned with pine cones, a birdhouse, feathers and toadstool and gorgeous wee puppets, both designed by Claire Halleran and featuring magical music from composer Greg Sinclair, it is sure to fly further afield, soar, and keep going.”
★★★★ for Eco Drama’s The Whirlybird, Lorna Irvine,The List – read the full review
“Thank you so much. Our children had a fantastic day and loved your performance. They said it was magical! Our full time children asked if they could see it again in the afternoon as they enjoyed it so much.” Our Lady of the Rosary Nursery Class
“Was lucky to see a wee preview of this – wonderful. The wee one loved it too! So funny and moving.” Audience member, Platform
“After watching Eco Drama’s excellent Whirlybird, we went in search of more birds!” Cat, Audience Member, Lochwinnoch Arts Festival
“What a joyful piece of children’s theatre, all the children were completely captivated, me too! 5 stars!” Louise, Audience Member, Dundee Rep Theatre
“Lovely, lyrical, inspiring, thought provoking. Beautiful music and movement. ★★★★” Audience member, Dundee Rep
“Absolutely fantastic, informative and visually inspiring.” Langa Street Nursery
“We all really enjoyed the show. It was innovative and got the children thinking.” Aultmore Park Primary
Children have been interested in seeds/planting/bird watching when outdoors. The show modelled kind behaviour, moral of ‘keep trying’ and being willing to ‘have a go’. Glenwood Nursery
“It was gentle and made the children think about birds in a deeper way.” Nithsdale Road Nursery
“The show was very well done, it looked very interesting when the children came into the hall and there was a relaxing and calm atmosphere for them to come into.” Lourdes Nursery
“Yet again, we were impressed with an eco-drama performance and would recommend them to other schools/nurseries. Thank you! Aultmore Park Primary
“I liked the flying seeds”
“My favourite was the colours and the swirly ribbons”
‘I liked the bird puppets’
“I liked when they were flying”
“It made me feel good, I was happy”
“It was funny”
“I told my granny about the show”
Children – various Glasgow nurseries
“I went to watch the whirlybird, and it was awesome! I wish I could go again. The acting and puppetry was great, and the story was heart lifting. It is for all ages! At the end, we got to play with the props! I loved it. I recommend watching the whirlybird, for it is a memorable experience that I will remember in years time. The music was very good!” Maisie
“This is all about bringing everyday nature centre-stage – before climate change robs tots of the real thing.” Mary Brennan, The Herald
“The Whirlybird offers a joyful celebration of the richness of nature, of a kind that becomes more useful and relevant, with every passing day.” Joyce McMillan, The Scotsman