The Mid-Winter Hullabaloo was a mystery -  a forgotten secret, a whisper carried through forests, valleys, and towns. Rooted in age-old traditions that once brought communities together through song, story, and shared celebration, it invited us to rediscover those rituals and imagine how they might be summoned anew for today and future generations.

Created in collaboration with the communities of Moresby, Cleator Moor, and Egremont, the Hullabaloo drew on the spirit of travelling fairs and carnivals, bringing light, warmth, and togetherness to the darkest winter months.
 

In January 2025, we set out together to find the Hullabaloo. Each celebration began with a short parade through the town, using light and song to see if we could uncover it. We then returned indoors for a hearty, warming meal before settling in to be entertained by local actors, who shared stories of Moresby, Egremont, and Cleator Moor and reported on any Hullabaloo sightings along the way.
 

With a bit of luck, we did find it - and when we did, the evening truly turned into a celebration. Games, music, singing, and even dancing followed, led by our Hullabaloo band.
 

Community Creations

In the lead-up to Christmas 2025, schools and local community groups created their own Hullabaloos - small, meaningful objects and drawings inspired by place, memory, and imagination. These Hullabaloos featured throughout each celebration, appearing in the parade, performances, and shared spaces. Visitors were invited to keep an eye out and spot them as the evenings unfolded.
 

After the celebrations, these creations were returned to their makers to take home, carrying a piece of the Hullabaloo with them.
 

Details of the Celebrations
 

The Parade
Each Hullabaloo celebration began with a short parade. Communities gathered and walked a small route together, guided by light and original songs composed by Anna Pool. The parade then led back to the venue, where everyone enjoyed warm food, settled in, and prepared for the evening ahead.
 

The Mummers Play
Written by Emma McGordon, the Mummers Play was a playful, almost pantomime-style performance rooted in community tradition. Audiences followed the characters of Moresby, Egremont, and Cleator Moor as they journeyed through the places they call home in search of the Hullabaloo. Funny, familiar, and full of local flavour, the play invited audiences to see these places anew — and perhaps even find the Hullabaloo along the way.

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The Party
Once the Hullabaloo was found, the celebration truly began. Our Hullabaloo band Tryckster led the party with music, games, and plenty of opportunities to sing along and join in - as much or as little as people liked.
 

The Mid-Winter Hullabaloo Creative Team

Director: Frederic Wake-Walker
Composer: Anna Pool
Writer: Emma McGordon
Designer: Janice Murray

Produced by: Anne Timpson
Design and marketing: Debbie Graham
 

With thanks to funding from Arts Council England, Cumberland Council, and the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, we were able to create an exceptional piece of work while heavily subsidising tickets, making the experience accessible to more people.
 

About the Project

The Mid-Winter Hullabaloo was a creative project developed to explore a new winter celebration centred on play, curiosity, and experimentation. Co-created with local communities, it celebrated people and place by weaving together music, folklore, and time-honoured customs to inspire fresh traditions for the future.

Working alongside the communities of Moresby, Cleator Moor, and Egremont, the Hullabaloo evoked the spirit of travelling fairs and carnivals - bringing light, warmth, and togetherness to the darker winter months.
 

Explore our gallery to discover how local children and communities captured the spirit of the Hullabaloo in their own unique ways.