Rocket Fuel

An immersive dining experience inspired by Neil Armstrong’s in-flight menu during his journey to the Moon.

DATE

2019

COMMISSIONED BY

Midlands Arts Centre,
as part of Little Earthquake’s MoonFest

FUNDED BY

Midlands Arts Centre,
Arts Council England,
John Feeney Charitable Trust

In space, no one can hear your tummy rumble.

Little Earthquake teamed up with gastronomartist Kaye Winwood to create a delectable dining experience that was truly out of this world.

Rocket Fuel was an edible adventure in which our guests joined us for an 8-course immersive dining experience, taking them to the Moon and back again without ever needing to leave the comfort of their seats.

Guided by our trusty Flight Director, the performance compressed the Apollo 11 mission into a single spectacular 90-minute event — combining surround sound, projection, live cameras, puppetry and performers.

At each stage of the astronauts’ journey, our guests were treated to amazing things to eat and drink, all inspired by Neil Armstrong’s actual in-flight meal plan and by the dramatic events of the mission itself.

Rocket Fuel was the centrepiece of MoonFest, Little Earthquake’s 9-day interdisciplinary arts festival celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing.

CAST

The Astronauts

Neil Armstrong | Marcus Paragpuri
Edwin ‘Buzz’ Aldrin | Tom Bonam
Michael Collins | Sam Frankie Fox

The Mission Control Team

CapCom | Jack Trow
NASA Briefer | Philip Holyman

The Ground Crew

Satya Baskaran
Mary Bonam
Rebecca Critch
Elliott McDowell
Antonia Parker Smith
Scott Wilson

THE KITCHEN TEAM

THE CREATIVE TEAM

MAC TEAM

Head of Technical Resources | Lizzie Moran
Senior Performing Arts Technician | Michael Hunter
Performing Arts Technician | Joe Henderson Tamm
Performing Arts Technician | Aaron Baker
Performing Arts Technician | Sam McBride
Apprentice Performing Arts Technician | Sophie Rawle
Catering and Events Manager | Sevonah Golabi

SUPPLIERS & CRAFTSPEOPLE

Carpentry | Andy Martin
Table Construction | Kevin White / Rigg Ltd.
Timber | Jack Johnson / Johnsons Timber
Kitchen Equipment | Birmingham Catering Hire & The Catering Department at Halesowen College
Technical Equipment | MAC & The Department of Drama & Theatre Arts (University of Birmingham)
Projection and Camera Equipment | Vent Media
Microphones | Andrew Hughes / Radio Facilities

PRODUCTION PARTNERS

A Little Earthquake Production
in association with Kaye Winwood Projects

Commissioned by Midlands Arts Centre as part of MoonFest

FUNDERS

Funded by Arts Council England through National Lottery Project Grants, and by John Feeney Charitable Trust

FOR LITTLE EARTHQUAKE

Co-Director | Gareth J. Nicholls
Co-Director | Philip Holyman
Producer | Zoë Roberts

FOR MIDLANDS ARTS CENTRE

Artistic Director & Chief Executive | Debbie Kermode
Performances Programmer and Producer | Jo Carr
Performance Team Placement | Tom Booth
Strategic Lead for Marketing & Communications | Lindsey Cook
Head of Marketing | Simi Obra
Marketing Campaigns Officer | Shaista Hussain
Marketing Campaigns Officer | Heather Thomas
Community Engagement Producer | Lucy Rix
Head of Catering & Hospitality | Gary Starr