Waterbugs and Dragonflies

That is probably the most delightful and moving piece of dance I’ve ever seen.

Audience member

Based on the story by Doris Stickney, Waterbugs and Dragonflies is a delightful tale of the waterbugs’ short life under the surface of the water and their emergence into the sunlit world above as dragonflies.

Following the mysterious disappearance of one of their friends, the waterbug community struggle to come to terms with their loss. After many ups and downs they eventually learn to be happy once more.

Meanwhile, the ‘lost’ waterbug finds himself on a lily pad on top of the pond, and discovers with total amazement that he has grown long silver wings and has become a beautiful dragonfly!

He wants to go back and tell his friends where he is and what a wonderful world it is above the water, but finds that he can’t swim anymore. He is disappointed but he knows that they will become dragonflies too, just like him, and finally understand the truth about where he went.

Waterbugs and Dragonflies, choreographed by the dancers of Springs Dance Company in 2004, was created as part of a collaborative project with cre8.ed entitled The Loss of Someone Special. The performance explores the many ways we react to bereavement and helps children to understand loss from a new perspective.

Whilst being a powerful piece that addresses important issues, Waterbugs and Dragonflies is also entertaining, uplifting and fun. Through the magic of storytelling and dance audiences are shown the infinite ways we can support one another.