THE POINT OF WASPS
Raising the profile of wasps one bad rap at a time (wasps get a bad rap so lets cut them some slack)
Final Report – Research & Development
Lead Artist: Shona Reppe & Tamlin Wiltshire
Supported by: Creative Scotland
Overview
The Point of Wasps began as a research project about bees during a snowy artist residency at the Fossekleiva Arts Centre in Norway in January 2023. The project quickly shifted focus from bees to wasps when it became clear that wasps - the most misunderstood and maligned of insects - offered a far more provocative and under-explored path.
Wasps are ancient, ecological powerhouses: pest controllers, pollinators, and passionate parents yet we are taught to hate them from an early age.
Unlike bees, who are universally loved, celebrated, and protected, wasps are almost exclusively feared and dismissed - yet both play essential roles in our ecosystem. People love bees. People hate wasps. This contrast became the foundation for our creative campaign: to raise the profile of wasps (through music & performance). This R&D phase - supported by Creative Scotland - explored how to do just that.
The aim of the R&D was to develop the characters of pop-duo anthropomorphic wasps Vespula & Vulgaris (Vespula Vulgaris is the latin name for the Common Wasp) and write and record a full album of original songs that would form the foundation for a future theatre production. The project also set out to explore public perceptions of wasps through walkabout performance and live engagement, while also developing visual identity.
KidzField at Glastonbury 2024
Appearing as a walkabout act at Glastonbury Festival 2024 offered Vespula (Shona Reppe) & Vulgaris (Tamlin Wiltshire) a valuable insight into public attitudes toward wasps. Even in costume, the mere mention of WASP caused children and adults alike to recoil, highlighting how misunderstood these insects are and how strong the feeling is about them. The duo performed their songs and bad raps to unsuspecting picnickers and welcomed spontaneous conversations with the roaming public while hanging out near the bins. These interactions revealed how little most people knew about wasps. Few were aware that only female wasps sting, or that wasps play important roles in pollination and pest control. The festival engagement successfully tested public interaction strategies and deepened understanding of the show's potential to inform, entertain, and shift perceptions.
Key Learnings
Public attitudes toward wasps are deeply negative, shaped by cultural symbolism and fear established at an early age. Music and humour proved powerful tools for engagement and social commentary. The Festival environment emerged as ideal venues for testing unconventional performances and connecting with diverse, intergenerational audiences.
The responses at Glastonbury confirmed the project’s potential to challenge prejudice and misinformation through creativity and play.
Album Creation
A full nine-track album was created with music producer Ben Seal at The Piggery Studio in Fife. The songs were written from the imagined perspective of a wasp (lyrics and melody by Shona Reppe with percussive and creative direction from Tamlin Wiltshire) with inspiration from pop/synth music, spoken word and nods to artists like Gary Numan, Lena Lovitch, Pam Ayres and the Flight of the Concords. The result is a collection of playful yet poignant tracks that inform as much as they entertain, setting the tone for a future show that aims to shift perception through music and storytelling.
The 9 tracks recorded include:
You Don’t Like Me (You Don’t Even Know Me)
I’m Buzzing
Hangry
Wasps Are the Bees Knees
Panic at the Picnic
Paper House
The Point of Wasps
Waspect
Wasps Theme
Next Steps
The next phase would be to develop a full theatre production based on what is esentially a concept album about wasps, incorporating narrative and live audience interaction. Expansion of the project's branding and visual identity is also underway, including themed merchandise (we have badges!). Additionally, partnerships with environmental organisations, entomologists, and educational institutions will be explored to strengthen the project’s impact and reach.
Conclusion
What began as a shift in focus from bees to wasps has evolved into a bold and imaginative campaign. The Point of Wasps demonstrates how creative practice can intersect with ecological advocacy, education, and pop culture to tackle fear and misinformation as wellas entertain. Wasps - often feared or dismissed - are vital, ancient, and complex creatures and this project aims to give them a platform, using music, theatre, and humour to reframe their narrative and promote respect and curiosity.
It’s time to create a buzz........so please show some WASPECT
www.shonareppe.co.uk | #PointOfWasps | @thepointofwasps
Lead Artist: Shona Reppe & Tamlin Wiltshire
Supported by: Creative Scotland
Overview
The Point of Wasps began as a research project about bees during a snowy artist residency at the Fossekleiva Arts Centre in Norway in January 2023. The project quickly shifted focus from bees to wasps when it became clear that wasps - the most misunderstood and maligned of insects - offered a far more provocative and under-explored path.
Wasps are ancient, ecological powerhouses: pest controllers, pollinators, and passionate parents yet we are taught to hate them from an early age.
Unlike bees, who are universally loved, celebrated, and protected, wasps are almost exclusively feared and dismissed - yet both play essential roles in our ecosystem. People love bees. People hate wasps. This contrast became the foundation for our creative campaign: to raise the profile of wasps (through music & performance). This R&D phase - supported by Creative Scotland - explored how to do just that.
The aim of the R&D was to develop the characters of pop-duo anthropomorphic wasps Vespula & Vulgaris (Vespula Vulgaris is the latin name for the Common Wasp) and write and record a full album of original songs that would form the foundation for a future theatre production. The project also set out to explore public perceptions of wasps through walkabout performance and live engagement, while also developing visual identity.
KidzField at Glastonbury 2024
Appearing as a walkabout act at Glastonbury Festival 2024 offered Vespula (Shona Reppe) & Vulgaris (Tamlin Wiltshire) a valuable insight into public attitudes toward wasps. Even in costume, the mere mention of WASP caused children and adults alike to recoil, highlighting how misunderstood these insects are and how strong the feeling is about them. The duo performed their songs and bad raps to unsuspecting picnickers and welcomed spontaneous conversations with the roaming public while hanging out near the bins. These interactions revealed how little most people knew about wasps. Few were aware that only female wasps sting, or that wasps play important roles in pollination and pest control. The festival engagement successfully tested public interaction strategies and deepened understanding of the show's potential to inform, entertain, and shift perceptions.
Key Learnings
Public attitudes toward wasps are deeply negative, shaped by cultural symbolism and fear established at an early age. Music and humour proved powerful tools for engagement and social commentary. The Festival environment emerged as ideal venues for testing unconventional performances and connecting with diverse, intergenerational audiences.
The responses at Glastonbury confirmed the project’s potential to challenge prejudice and misinformation through creativity and play.
Album Creation
A full nine-track album was created with music producer Ben Seal at The Piggery Studio in Fife. The songs were written from the imagined perspective of a wasp (lyrics and melody by Shona Reppe with percussive and creative direction from Tamlin Wiltshire) with inspiration from pop/synth music, spoken word and nods to artists like Gary Numan, Lena Lovitch, Pam Ayres and the Flight of the Concords. The result is a collection of playful yet poignant tracks that inform as much as they entertain, setting the tone for a future show that aims to shift perception through music and storytelling.
The 9 tracks recorded include:
You Don’t Like Me (You Don’t Even Know Me)
I’m Buzzing
Hangry
Wasps Are the Bees Knees
Panic at the Picnic
Paper House
The Point of Wasps
Waspect
Wasps Theme
Next Steps
The next phase would be to develop a full theatre production based on what is esentially a concept album about wasps, incorporating narrative and live audience interaction. Expansion of the project's branding and visual identity is also underway, including themed merchandise (we have badges!). Additionally, partnerships with environmental organisations, entomologists, and educational institutions will be explored to strengthen the project’s impact and reach.
Conclusion
What began as a shift in focus from bees to wasps has evolved into a bold and imaginative campaign. The Point of Wasps demonstrates how creative practice can intersect with ecological advocacy, education, and pop culture to tackle fear and misinformation as wellas entertain. Wasps - often feared or dismissed - are vital, ancient, and complex creatures and this project aims to give them a platform, using music, theatre, and humour to reframe their narrative and promote respect and curiosity.
It’s time to create a buzz........so please show some WASPECT
www.shonareppe.co.uk | #PointOfWasps | @thepointofwasps
MONTAGE OF ALL SONGS
FULL LENGTH TRACKS