The Fungus Successfully kills the worm and begins to take nutrients from her body — The Fungus Successfully kills the Nematode and begins to take nutrients from her body

Unsung Heroes of The Planet is an opera created around the incredible fact that trees can communicate through an internet of fungus. I had an absolutely joyous time in this production, as the Nematode. As Ruth Mariner says in her write-up of the opera, “The audience journeys deep beneath the soil and discovers the ecosystem as we follow three extraordinary organisms on a quest to reconnect with the forest. A fascinating and eclectic adventure told through physical theatre, opera, and spoken word. In May 2018 it was the first opera to be performed at the Eden Project, reaching 8000 people over 4 days. The project was part of Julie’s Bicycle’s Season for Change.”

This was truly one of the most fun and creatively satisfying productions I have ever been in. We had a collaborative rehearsal process that allowed everyone to have a voice and agency. The actual production felt a bit like a dream- we stayed in Cornwall in little huts on the Eden Project grounds and explored the gardens in our free time. We went swimming in the freezing sea and saw dolphins. I got to play the kazoo, have a dramatic death scene, and parade around in a truly bizarre worm costume- the end count was that I made 5 children cry. What more could I ask for?

Composer: Cameron Dodds
Librettist/Director: Ruth Mariner
Walkabout Director: Sophie Austin
Design: Christine Bach
Research collaborators: Eden's Scientists + Lynne Boddy, Emma Gilmartin, David Johnson.

'Hosting Unsung Heroes of the Planet at the Eden Project was a beautiful reflection of some of the Invisible Worlds themes. It must be one of my favourite cultural performances during my 10 years at Eden. Fun, risky and irreverent mixed with slick world-class performance. A highlight of the opening season of our new Invisible Worlds Exhibition.'

— Gabriella Gilkes, Events Manager, The Eden Project

Here’s a gallery of shots taken from the rehearsal process and the final production