The Giants are coming back!

Here in Liverpool, there are lots of things that happen in the city related to the Maritime history and the Titanic or just wonderful stories, but nothing captures the imagination like the story of the giants.

The Sea Odyssey is based on a letter sent by a little girl to her father who was on the Titanic and this is the story.

The letter is written in neat, child’s writing, beginning “Dear Father”.

Dated 13th April 1912, it brings news of how the young girl who penned it has recently been ill and is longing to see her absent “dada”.

Sent by ten-year-old May McMurray from 60 Empress Road, Kensington in Liverpool, the letter would never reach its intended recipient, William McMurray, a 43-year-old bedroom steward on the Titanic.

A century after it was posted, the handwritten missive, which ends “Dada this is my first letter”, has become the inspiration for the UK’s largest street theatre event taking place in Liverpool
Sea Odyssey features three giant puppets, moving through the city’s streets in a story that commemorates the Titanic disaster.

Created by French company Royal De Luxe, its story of a young girl whose father died on the Liverpool registered White Star liner, is loosely based on May McMurray’s letter.
William McMurray did not survive the sinking of the Titanic. He left a widow Clara and three young children; letter writer May, another daughter Ivy and son Ernie.

May’s letter, now in Liverpool’s Maritime Museum, reads: “Dear Father, It seems ages since I last seen you.

“I wish we were in Southampton with you, it is very lonely without you.”

William would not see the letter; it reached White Star’s offices after the Titanic had embarked, and was returned to sender.

He died when the ship sank, despite having had the opportunity to board a lifeboat.

The puppets (giants) wake up around the city and go for walks and each one has it’s own agenda, this year they are back and if you are lucky enough to be in Liverpool between the 7th-10th October then you will see them when they go walkabout.
It is truly an amazing sight and everyone is hoping Xolo the dog will be back as he was just the funniest thing ever and stooped for a wee now and then much to peoples amusement.

I have popped a few photos I took the last time and I am off for 2 of the days they are here so will be taking some videos so watch out for them.