Compost Mentis: Wild Worlds at Chester Zoo

Gemma Gibb, Associate Editor

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Compost Mentis

Chester Zoo, Chester
9-12 August 2018

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Whalley Range All Stars
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Chester Zoo‘s Wild Worlds festival this summer offers some bonkers botanical revelry. Not least in the form of curious characters to encounter in the most unexpected of places.

Close to the apes, you might encounter something stirring in the garden. Meet Compost Mentis, a compost heap like you have never seen before, and the Gardener who looks after it.

Expect much devilment, hilarity and more than a few squeals as the compost heap springs to life and reveals that it has thoughts “fermenting within”.  With live action, puppet, mechanical and musical interventions expect to be “led up the garden path”.

Compost Mentis has been brought to the zoo by internationally acclaimed street artists Whalley Range All Stars who are renowned for their fresh, funny and fearless outdoor productions. We love that world class street theatre can be experienced in the setting of one of the UK’s leading conservation charities.

Against the backdrop of all the other events, artist-led zones and installations across the festival, the powerful message of biodiversity and that science learning can be the most creative and fun of all, rings true with experiences like these. And, let’s face it, who doesn’t love an incredible (and scarily big) monster?

Catch Compost Mentis performances daily between 9 and 12 August at 1 and 3.30pm.

 

 

 

Where to go near Compost Mentis: Wild Worlds at Chester Zoo

Stone Villa hotel, Chester
Chester
Hotel
Stone Villa

Stone Villa, built around 1850, is located in an attractive suburb just 0.8 miles from the centre of the city and its famous walls.

Sticky Walnut, Hoole, Chester
Chester
Restaurant
Sticky Walnut

The Sticky Walnut is an award-winning ‘local’ bistro in the heart of Hoole, serving humble dishes using the best possible ingredients.

Chester
Wales Coast Path from Chester to Flint

The section of the North Wales Coast Path from Chester to Flint, starts off from Chester Station and the first section being unofficial isn’t way-marked. However, it offers pleasant urban walking and a stretch along the towpath of the Shropshire Union Canal, along Catherine Street to an area known as The Cop.

Grey n Pink Records Chester
Chester
Shop
Grey n Pink Records

Grey n Pink Records has the largest selection of new, second hand and collectible vinyl records in Cheshire. Established for over 30 years in the Chester record shop, they specialise in collectible vinyl LPs, 7″ and 12″ singles.

Mill Hotel & Spa, Chester
Chester
Hotel
Mill Hotel & Spa

Situated on an historic Roman site, the Mill Hotel & Spa was opened by its present owners in 1987. The original Griffiths Cornmill building dates from 1830 and great care has been taken to sympathetically incorporate many of the original architectural features during the conversion into a hotel.

Bar stock image
Cheshire
Bar or Pub
The Cornerhouse

Live music, comedy, quiz nights and special events – all to be enjoyed alongside sharing platters and, of course, an extensive range of drinks.

Hypha restaurant, Chester
Chester
Restaurant
Hypha

Hypha was Chester’s first plant-based restaurant and has gone on to earn high praise with eco-conscious foodies across the North.

Chester
Event venue
Alexander’s Live

Established in 1991, Alexander’s puts on an amazing range of live music including jazz, blues, soul, roots and rock, comedy & drama. Alexander’s is famous for the alternative comedy nights every Saturday.

Covino Restaurant, Chester
Chester
Restaurant
Covino

Covino is a small owner-run wine bar & restaurant in the heart of Chester. They serve an ever-changing menu of seasonally inspired small plates, guided by the quality and provenance of ingredients, with a real focus on simplicity and flavour.

The Cheese Shop, Chester
Chester
Shop
The Cheese Shop

The Cheese Shop has been a source of speciality cheeses in Chester for 25 years and has over 200 different cow, goat and ewe cheeses available -including pasteurised, unpasteurised and vegetarian varieties.

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