Getting to Know We The Curious

Getting to Know We The Curious

Posted on: 02 Jul 2024

On the day of the pre-launch of the brand new We The Curious, we spoke to CEO Donna Speed and Content Director Bryony Roberts about how it was going, what to expect – and their favourite bits of the new and improved WTC.

 

How are you feeling on the big launch day?

 

D: Really fantastic. It’s joyous, isn’t it, to welcome people back?

 

B: It is so exciting – earlier on, it was a proper goosebump moment when everyone was coming through the foyer, and all the little kids looking so excited to be in here, and then they were released into the venue. It was like: “Oh my gosh! We’re back! We’re back!

 

D: Even the sounds – it wasn’t so long ago that it was a construction site, and now it feels like it’s what it’s meant to be. It’s really special.

 

Has it been hard balancing the familiar and the new?

 

D: I think that is a consideration, because the support we’ve had from Bristol has been incredible; people really do care, and are very supportive, so to throw everything out and start again isn’t right – there are some much-loved exhibits. Also, as an educational charity that really focuses on sustainable futures, we want to make sure we’re not throwing things out. So, where we can reimagine something, or bring it to life, we have done – but there is a lot of special new things to see.

 

B: Everyone’s got old favourites, so people are looking forward to certain exhibits they want to see – and we don’t want to spoil that.

 

 

What about the Planetarium? That was the most advanced 3D cinema in the UK before, right?

 

D: Yeah, it was the first 3D, 4K planetarium. It’s got brand new seats in it, too, so it’s even more comfortable than ever. All the shows are created in house, so it is a very unique experience.

 

B: Yeah, and they’re all presenter led, as well. So it isn’t that you go in and there’s a voice recording – there’s a brilliant member of our live science team, or from our Planetarium team, delivering that show and taking the audience on that journey into space.

 

D: And we’ve got a new member of the team.

 

B: Yes! Blurgle Wurgle. Blurgle Wurgle was the dream of our digital content team, where they wanted to have an interactive puppet to help elevate it for children – and adults – alike. We’ve had a lot of feedback that the adults love them.

 

It’s interesting you mention children and adults – when I told a friend I was coming here, they said: “Isn’t that for kids?” What would you say to them?

 

D: I think it used to be. Back in 2000, when we were first here, it was definitely focused on families with primary school-age children. You could see that in the way that things were presented, or even the visual identity. But now, it is very much a multi-generational experience. You can bring anyone. You can come on your own, you can be any age. It doesn’t feel as if it’s just an attraction for children.

 

There’s so much to do, and it’s co-created with our city, and that’s every age. You can tell.

 

B: Yeah, and I think it’s also given permission for – one of our values is being playful. There’s a lot of adults out there who want to do that. The adult world is hard enough without having that kind of space. It’s lovely, you’ll see out on the floor there’s people on dates, or people with grandparents, and all the rest of it. We’re trying to speak to the whole experience, rather than just being child-led.

 

 

What are your personal favourite exhibits?

 

D: It’s like “who’s your favourite child?”.

 

B: I know! Oh my gosh! Okay...an old favourite is upstairs, the shadow-picture where it flashes, and then you can take out your torch and write things on that. Absolutely love that. My children’s favourite is Robo Thespian, who’s tucked away in the corner and answers questions. Eerily human but adorable.

 

 

D: My Project What If favourite is a question called “Can science see your soul?” and it’s unpacked in the most beautiful way, where you go in and experience something, and I won’t say any more than that, but it’s incredible. I also love; in Animate It, which is a collaboration with Aardman, there’s a hotset from Curse of the Wererabbit; you get to change the lighting, I love that.

 

B: And we’ve got new sustainable lighting in there.

 

D: We have got new lighting! We’ve got LEDs now.

 

How is it possible to love someone who’s 70% water?

 

D: [laughs] I think you’re loving the 30% other stuff.

 

Any favourite questions?

 

D: If magic is science, is science magic? Because I think the answer is yes.

 

 

If you were in charge of Bristol for the day, what would you do?

 

B: I think, speaking to that ‘playful’ thing, I would have a play day! There’s some lovely things in Bristol where people take to the streets and do wonderful things. We’re such a city for embracing play experiences. I think it would be glorious to release all the suits from the offices and have everyone forced to come out and play games and interact with each other – then all have an ice cream at the end of the day.

 

D: I think I would have a kindness day, so everyone has to ‘pay it forward’. I think that would have a ripple effect of people being good to each other. Because people are good, and it gives people a bit of an opportunity to not be embarrassed by that, just to lean into it.

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Patrick Bate

Patrick is a filmmaker with so much Bristol in his blood the white blood cells are graffiti'd. Educated at the Northern Film School in Leeds, he’s returned home to be a Videographer and Reviewer for 365Bristol and BARBI. When he’s not messing about with cameras, he enjoys playing guitar, spending far too much time on tabletop RPGs, and being an awful snob about cider. Have a look at his work here, or get in touch at patrickb@365bristol.com.