THE stage is set up for a spectacular aerial performance show that will take place in St Helens town centre on Saturday night.

As the World Tipped will be held at Birchley Street Car Park, starting from 6.30pm on Saturday, October 21.

It is billed as the headline event for St Helens' year as the city region's Borough of Culture.

As the pictures show, the car park has been taken over by the giant stage and set.

Organisers, who have been keeping a close eye on weather forecasts (conditions are expected to improve before tomorrow evening) describe it as the largest and one of the finest large-scale outdoor shows to be produced by a UK company.

It tells the powerful tale of the climate crisis through an extraordinary visual lens.

The artistic director of the show is bringing the performance to her hometown of St Helens.

It tells the powerful tale of the climate crisis through an extraordinary visual lens.

St Helens Star:

Wendy Hesketh-Ogilvie, the production's artistic director, who grew up in Rainford and now lives in Rainhill, said: "After touring the show around the world, it feels a bit overwhelming to be bringing it to my hometown.

"It's our first reworking of the show since covid, which was a period where we didn't know if we were going to be able to carry it on. 

"So to still be able to do this, and in smaller towns where more people can experience it, is the most amazing thing.

"I know this town like the back of my hand and I remember big events like the Rainford Walking Days and St Helens Shows growing up. So it feels phenomenal to be directing such a big event in St Helens, with my family and friends out there in the audience too."

Complete with a tipping stage and aerial performers, 'As The World Tipped' has travelled to audiences in France, Germany, Italy, Australia, Chile, and South Korea, and the St Helens performance will be the production's first showcase since the pandemic.


While Wendy had previously taken a back step from performing following the birth of her second child, she said that she could not miss the opportunity to perform in front of her family and friends so that they can "properly understand" what she does for a living.

With 'As The World Tipped' centred around the fallout from the Copenhagen Climate Change conference in 2009, Wendy stressed that the show is "not a lecture", but relays a powerful message about the climate crisis amid a backdrop of "beautiful imagery" and breathtaking aerial performances.

Cllr Anthony Burns, St Helens Borough Council’s cabinet member for wellbeing, culture and heritage, said: “As The World Tipped is without doubt the most ambitious event we’ve ever staged and one we’re very excited to bring to St Helens, having toured all over the world – so it’s a big deal to have it here and certainly not to be missed.

“What a year it has been so far as part of our status as Borough of Culture, with a large number of successful events having already taken place which have drawn in large crowds – and As The World Tipped promises to be right up there with the biggest and best.

“Borough of Culture for us is all about celebrating the borough’s talent therefore it's fitting that the internationally acclaimed theatre company's artistic director was born and educated here, one of many talented and creative individuals St Helens has produced in the world of arts and theatre."

Important information

No tickets are required for this event – it is free. Just turn up.

Event timings Timings may vary on the night however the performance will not start any earlier.

Site opens to public at 5pm.

Performance to start – 6.30pm Performance to end – 7.30pm Site closed – 8pm Getting to Birchley Street Car Park Birchley Street Car Park is located on Birchley Street in St Helens and is easily accessible from the A571 College Street. The postcode is WA10 1HT.

The show is fully funded from external sources, being supported using public funding by Arts Council England, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority allocation for Culture, and the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority as the lead authority.