Pop-Ups Zan was invited by the kind folks of Our Kids Social to host a celebratory pop-up adventure playground in a location that was new to her. She recruited Luke Sutton – one of our PDC tutors – to co-playwork with her. Together, they managed a very busy 2-hour play space. Luke reflects on the experience and highlights the jubilee event at a market square in Sale, Manchester.
The scene of the jubilee
The square bustled with life and activity, a hamlet of humans amid a kaleidoscope of castles. Stalls and a brass band moved through the background, while a singer captivated the crowd. A hurricane of bubbles erupted, adding to the vibrant atmosphere. In the foreground, children engaged in imaginative play, creating a dynamic scene full of energy.
The pop-up event centred around a graceful tree, nearly invisible as everyone focused on play. A father and daughter engaged in a playful chase, taking turns with a set of keys bound on a green loop. Nearby, two children dressed as robots dueled energetically, while a child in an orange t-shirt, wrists adorned with small boxes, added their own animated sounds. The stakes were high, the play intense. And, in the foreground, Vanelope, our franken-mannequin, took centre stage.
Vanelope by day, Zorro by night
Vanelope’s arm was made of wood, her legs replaced by a reel, and the only memory of her hair came from tape stamps. She shimmered with multiple materials, colours, and textures. Crayon marked her porcelain face, with light orange under the eyes and a deep blue Z on her forehead. Did it stand for Zan, or something else? On her head rested a sieve, completing her unique ensemble.
She sat centre stage as the children explored the ecosystem of play around her. Cardboard boxes were erected, decorated, abandoned, and reinvented throughout the two-hour event. The materials shifted with the children’s creativity, expanding and contracting like a living city. At one point, the structures nearly reached Wilkos.
A new friend
Amidst the play, a little girl discovered Vanelope. She emerged from her cardboard fortress, pausing to observe the mannequin. Tentatively, she touched Vanelope’s non-wooden arm, then reached for the second set of keys bound by a rainbow ribbon. This gesture seemed a test to see how tangible Vanelope really was.
Getting to know Vanelope
Once the girl confirmed reality, she inspected Vanelope’s face and tried to replace the sieve on her head, repeating the action at least twice. Eventually, she placed the sieve aside and gently touched Vanelope’s arm before stepping back. The hundreds of adults and the cacophony of the square faded into the background as her attention remained on the mannequin.
The girl’s interaction stood out not just for its care, but for the way she personified Vanelope. When another child approached, she watched attentively, observing their interaction. This small encounter remained memorable despite the surrounding chaos of play. Countless other interactions occurred, but this singular moment highlighted the magic of the pop-up adventure.
By Luke Sutton
