In an unassuming former school building off Hessle Road in Hull, a workshop is the birthplace of some of the most fantastical creatures and elaborate costumes seen at festivals and events globally. Apus Productions, led by Liz Dees, transforms scrap materials into mesmerising street theatre pieces, from a walking 'Humber Monster' to a pedal-powered flying machine, which are set to captivate audiences throughout the upcoming school summer holidays.
The creative process at Apus Productions heavily relies on repurposing. Storage rooms are filled with an eclectic mix of foam rubber, bamboo, and hula-hoop shapes, all earmarked for future creations. Liz Dees highlights their commitment to using 'found objects', pointing to an angler fish with eyes ingeniously crafted from plastic play cones. Intricate drawings on the workshop walls reveal the hidden circuit boards that bring these beasts to life with lights and music, while careful measurements ensure they can not only be worn and operated by performers but also fit through the workshop doors – a lesson learned with the oversized 'Humber Monster'.
Liz Dees founded the company in 2007, drawing on her background in art school and the London School of Fashion. Initially poised for a career in textiles education, a chance encounter led her to establish a street theatre company instead. Following an MS diagnosis in 2008, Dees adapted her role, moving away from performing on stilts to managing a dedicated team of artists and performers, a position she has held ever since.
Apus Productions' creations have graced numerous stages, both locally and internationally. Well-known for their appearances at Hull's Freedom Festival, with spectacles like larger-than-life albino peacocks and steam punk-piloted flying machines, their work has also travelled far afield. In 2024, a pair of their giant birds with elaborate fanned tails were a highlight at a lavish wedding in India, and their performances have also been staged in locations including Dubai, Qatar, Kuwait, Romania, and Ireland.
Dees emphasises the dual joy derived from their work: the dedication of the performers who embody these creatures and the delighted reactions of the public. She notes the universal appeal, stating, "We're for everyone, adults as well as children." The unexpected encounter with art and culture, she believes, offers significant health and wellbeing benefits, planting "seeds in children's eyes that the world can be fun" and providing a magical, unplanned entertainment experience for those simply visiting a town centre.