Performance

On Saturday 6 June 2026, Broadway Cinema in Nottingham was transformed into The Hive—a one-day, multi-sensory festival curated by artist Wolfgang Buttress, celebrating bees and the ecosystems they sustain. Bringing together sound, scent, film, live performance and conversation, the event welcomed more than 1,000 visitors for a day that explored the intersection of nature, science and art.

At the heart of the festival was TO BE, the acclaimed live symphony and art installation by Karman Line Collective, performed three times in Screen 1. The immersive work combined the live sounds of 50,000 bees, streamed directly from a hive at Nottingham Trent University (NTU), with bespoke visual projections, curated scents and a 15.2 surround-sound environment, creating a powerful sensory experience.

The programme also featured a live recording of the Queen Bees podcast, where actors Jane Horrocks and Esther Coles were joined by renowned entomologist and broadcaster Dr George McGavin and award-winning author Laline Paull (The Bees) for a lively 75-minute discussion exploring bee science, creativity and our relationship with the natural world.

Across the day, audiences enjoyed a rich programme of events for all ages, including family screenings of Bee Movie and the Oscar-nominated documentary Honeyland; The Little Bees That Can Do Big, a free hands-on children's workshop led by Dr Martin Benscik; What Have Insects Ever Done For Us?, an in-conversation event with Dr George McGavin; and a workshop exploring the ancient craft of skep-making by Chris Park.

Reflecting on the festival, Wolfgang Buttress said:

"This one-day festival is a unique event that brings together art, science, music and film, all focused on celebrating the bee in all its forms. I am so excited to be collaborating with so many apian experts and enthusiasts. It promises to be a wonderful day."

Video: Drop Films

Performance date: 6th June 2026