STRUT: Greater Craigmillar performers announced

What is STRUT?

STRUT is a night time performance and projection parade shining a light on 5 talented dancers with a connection to Greater Craigmillar whose personal choreographies reflect the celebratory energy of the town with Highland, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Disco and Breakdance styles in the mix.

These talented movers and shakers were selected from a wide-ranging Open Call, with the help of a community panel. The rotating one-performer parade weaves its way around locations in Craigmillar and Niddrie with spectators watching from the pavement, waving from their windows or following the event and dancing along.

STRUT: Greater Craigmillar takes to the streets on Wednesday 20 March, 7-8pm (Craigmillar) and Thursday 21 March, 7-8pm (Niddrie).

Emiegh – Dancer

Hiya, my name’s Emiegh and I am 17 years old. I have lived in Craigmillar for the past 8 years. I am still in school but dance is a big part of my life whenever I’m not in classes. I do many different styles of dance including jazz, commercial, contemporary and highland.

There are many reasons I love dance, but one of them is that it makes me happy and allows me to express myself in many different ways. Another reason I love dance is the opportunities it gives me, including going to Portugal to dance in the Dance World Cup and dancing in parades in Spain. I also competed at Disneyland Paris in a Highland Dance Competition.

I am very excited to be a part of STRUT as the opportunity to do something in my community is very special to me. Soon I will be going to University to be a nurse and I hope to become a dance teacher alongside my nursing and studies. 

Bianka – Dancer

Hi, I’m Bianka and I’m nearly 13 years old. I will perform some contemporary dance as part of STRUT and have created my very own choreography for the performance. 

I have recently joined Lyra’s Young Company and have just started to take aerial dance classes with All or Nothing. I love dancing. When I dance I can show other people what hard work is and what it does. 

I am excited to do STRUT because I love to perform and show my dance skills. This is my first ever solo performance so it’s a big opportunity for me! I’ve lived in Craigmillar for almost 6 years, and I know the area really well. I was born in London but I really like living in Edinburgh.

Gabriele – Dancer

I am Gabriele, a 25-year-old dancer originally from Southern Italy, now based in Edinburgh, Scotland. My main dance style is Breaking, although in the past few years, I have developed an interest in Afrobeats, House and Hip Hop choreography.

I believe dance connects us on a deeper level, and one dance language is not enough to express yourself. Learning more about different ways you could move is like speaking different languages which allows you to facilitate broader communication.


This is one of the reasons why I love to dance. Dance has also made me a more confident individual and helped surround me with great people, who have the same goals and ambitions, connecting us all as a family (or in my specific case a dance Crew which I am proud to be a part of, called TMRW crew).

I am looking forward to taking part in STRUT mainly because as a street performance it will allow me to connect to the crowd around us. I’d love to inspire more kids in the audience to give dancing a go, or at the very least, just have a great time with everyone in the community during the performances.

My connection to Craigmillar is rooted in a local project where I have performed before. Alley Oop took place at Lyra’s basketball court across two weeks. The innovative dance project, choreographed by Tony Mills and performed by myself and Ursula Manandhar, allowed me to get more involved with the Craigmillar youth community and inspire kids in the audience to give dance a go.

Kieren Gabriel – Dancer

My name is Kieren and I am 11 years old. My style of dance is hip hop and I love dancing because I get to express myself and my feelings in many different ways.  I like to look for inspiration from YouTube for my moves and also freestyle.


I am a member of Lyra Dance Troupe, part of their Young Company’s next show. I am originally from the Philippines and I am proud to be a Filipino. My family have recently moved from London to Edinburgh and we have been settling in well, so far.

I’m so excited to be taking part because STRUT is my first ever show. I am also excited to be involved because I love meeting people, connecting with them and making people joyful and happy through dance. 

John Mcloughlin – STRUT: Craigmillar MC

Hey, I’m John, 36, from Craigmillar, Edinburgh. I do drag, discos, karaoke and am a born entertainer. I lived in Spain for seven years, running five different gay bars with lots of staff to look after.

I’m excited to be hosting STRUT: Craigmillar as it’s an opportunity to meet new people and see something really different come to the community. I’ve been part of this community my whole life and it’s brilliant to see something like this happen in Craigmillar, especially for young people in the area.

Rita HuDancer

Rita is a dancer specialising in soul, funk and Waacking styles. Born in China, Rita discovered soul dance at just 6 years old, finding Waacking later, in 2014. 

She has trained avidly in multiple dance styles over the last 20 years, and also loves old school hip hop, commercial styles and K-pop. 

Rita has performed, battled and taught around Asia and the world, including performing at World of Dance. Some of her favourite battles include Summer Dance Forever, Amsterdam, and Old School Night, Japan, and she has won several competitions including the Huawei New Year’s Eve 2v2 freestyle champion in 2018 and the 2020 Changsha Queen of Disco for Waacking. 

Before moving to Scotland, she taught regular classes at 227 Studio and Kinjaz China, as well as teaching workshops all over China. Rita now teaches weekly classes in Scotland, has been a judge for UDO (United Dance Organisation) and more, and has taken the Waacking Scotland Team to Greece, Poland, and elsewhere in Europe. Her mantra is simply: keep on dancing!

She says: “Craigmillar is where I had my first flat in Scotland and made tons of great memories and new friends. Now I live ten minutes away and love running through the castle grounds. I can’t wait to be back dancing in my first Scottish neighbourhood”.

John Cooper Clarke comes to Edinburgh for 2024 National Tour

  • John Cooper Clarke celebrates 50 years in showbiz with the Get Him While He’s Alive Tour 
  • Tour coming to Queens Hall in Edinburgh on 12th & 13th April 2024
  • John Cooper Clarke released brand new poetry collection -”What” published by Picador on 8th Feb 2024

Literary phenomenon John Cooper Clarke is back and better than ever, returning with a brand new tour and poetry collection this 2024. John will be performing at Queens Hall in Edinburgh on 12th & 13th April 2024. 

John’s new show will take fans on a completely one-of-a-kind journey through poetry and comedy. John’s live touring career has gone from strength to strength, with John recently returning from an epic North America tour in September 2023.

This year he’s back on home turf, as he continues to sell out theatres and halls across the UK, with a stretch of shows in Ireland also recently added. 

It’s a chance to see one of the world’s most important and entertaining spoken word artists at his bold and brilliant best. 

WHAT’ is the new collection from Britain’s “Poet Laureate of Punk” and will be published on 8th February to coincide with John’s 2024 national theatre tour celebrating 50 years of showbiz.

Venues for the “Get Him While He’s Alive” tour include the Edinburgh Queens Hall, a reunion show with very special guest Linton Kwesi Johnson at the London Palladium and three nights at Salford’s Lowry Theatre.

John’s new collection “What”, which will be published by Picador, is full of John’s much-loved sardonic wit and hilarious ponderings on modern life and follows on from John’s bestselling  The Luckiest Guy Alive

The original people’s poet, John’s cultural influence spans literature, music, and fashion, and his unique poetry and delivery style transcends generations. 

From creating some of the most iconic poetry of the modern era, including  “I Wanna Be Yours” (recently celebrating over a billion streams in its incarnation as a hit record by the Arctic Monkeys) to sharing his life story through his 120k selling memoir of the same name, John is still as relevant as he was when he shot to prominence in the 1970s.” 

Tickets for the Get Him Whilst He’s Alive Tour are available from https://www.aegpresents.co.uk/events/detail/dr-john-cooper-clarke or
www.johncooperclarke.com.

Picador will publish What on 8th February 2024 priced £16.99

St Mary’s Music School to host free ‘Lower Brass Day’ in Edinburgh 

Activities will include masterclasses, ensemble work, concerts, and taster sessions from industry leaders and world-renowned performers

  • Lower Brass Days to be held in Edinburgh and Elgin, with each day free to attend.
  • Lower Brass Days to boost and encourage access to the trombone, euphonium, tenor and baritone horns, and tuba, through a day of presentations, masterclasses, ensemble work, and concerts from an array of leading performers and teachers.
  • St Mary’s Music School ‘Instrument Library’ for young musicians will also see its second phase come to fruition.

St Mary’s Music School – a specialist music school based in the heart of Edinburgh, with generous tuition funding available and admission based solely on musical promise – has partnered with leading UK brass players to bring an exciting series of Lower Brass Days to Edinburgh and Elgin aimed at encouraging young people to study the trombone, euphonium, tenor and baritone horns, and tuba

Taking place on Saturday 24 February in Edinburgh (The Parish Church of St Cuthbert, Lothian Road) and Sunday 25 February in Elgin (Elgin Academy), the school hopes to expand local access to music within schools, and to raise the profile of, and interest in, lesser available brass instruments.

In addition to taster sessions with Buffet Crampon (a prominent market leader in the manufacturing of top of the range wind instruments), attendees will be welcomed to a day of presentations, masterclasses, ensemble work, and concerts – free to attend for all and open for participation to school aged pupils.

Buffet Crampon will supply instruments for Taster Sessions; whilst Martin Thomson, Danielle Price, John Kenny, Jonathan Gawn, Oren Marshall (Trinity Laban), Arlene Macfarlane, Emily White (British Trombone Society), and representatives from UK Conservatoires will lead an array of presentations and performances. 

Euan Meikle, Sales Manager for Buffet Crampon in the UK and Ireland said: “The cultivation of new talent is both a core principle for me and Buffet Crampon, as well as crucial to the survival of our music industry.

“I look forward to presenting the Prodigy ‘Come and Play’ Experience, which aims to give attendees the opportunity to view a demonstration, play an instrument and even take a virtual reality tour of how instruments are made via Virtual Reality!”

As well as celebrating brass musicianship nationwide, it is hoped the Lower Brass Days will also see the second phase of St Mary’s Music School ‘Instrument Library’ come to fruition and further democratise access to quality musical instruments.

Launched in Autumn 2023, the Instrument Library has seen St Mary’s Music School invest in a small fleet of endangered instruments with the hopes of nourishing musical potential in the early years. Entrusted to specific teachers, instruments such as the oboe and bassoon can be loaned out for three years, with the possibility of extension to pupils who might otherwise find accessing these instruments financially prohibitive.  

Director of Music John Cameron said: “We are excited to be working with leading brass professionals from across the UK in providing free access to days of activities to celebrate the world of lower brass.

“This is part of our active musical outreach programme which includes our ‘Instrument Library’, set up to give young musicians access to quality instruments at an early age.”

Amongst an exciting day of Lower Brass events, St Mary’s Music School is also running a Composition Competition for school age composers aged 10 – 18 across Scotland, with the chosen winning ‘Fanfare’ to be performed on both days by leading musicians.

Four runners up will also be invited to have their compositions ‘workshopped’ by the School – and all shortlisted entries will receive feedback from a panel of composers. Entry to the competition closes on 20 December 2023. 

Scottish dancers to defend UK Titles at Blackpool competition

A group of young dancers from one of Scotland’s highest-regarded dance performance schools will travel to Blackpool next weekend to take part in a major UK and Ireland competition.

Pupils and instructors from Edinburgh Dance Academy (EDA) will participate in the prestigious three-day Dance Inspirations event being held in the Northwest England town where they will be defending titles won at last year’s competition.

In 2023, EDA was named as the Highest Ranked Dance Studio in the UK and Ireland for the second year running at the event with several of the school’s dancers also picking up accolades for their performances.

This included being awarded as Overall Winner for their contemporary piece “Shout” by Empara Mi with the EDA team taking home £1000 in prize money for their table-topping routine.

EDA instructor Jenni Inglis also won the Most Inspirational Choreography award in 2023 for the second year in a row while dancer Kiera Anderson was handed top prize for the Most Dedication, Passion and Talent award category.

The Dance Inspirations competition is set to feature more than 300 top level dance routines. These were selected from a total of 3000 acts from over 100 dance schools across the UK and Ireland which competed in regional heats ahead of this weekend’s final.

Julie Mitchell, Principal and Founder at EDA, said: “We are so proud of what Jenni and our fantastic dancers achieved in Blackpool last year and we look forward to once again taking part in this extremely competitive event.

“While we are expecting an even higher level of competition from this year’s participants, we will do our best to bring further dance honours back to Scotland.”

Former SRU wellbeing coach announced as guest speaker at business anniversary event

Love Your Business networking club, which has welcomed 185 speakers and over 4000 attendees since it launched in 2018, celebrates its 6th anniversary with the announcement of this month’s speaker on the 25thJanuary as Ben Scott, former Scotland Men’s Rugby Wellbeing Coach, who worked with the team to help bridge the gap between wellbeing and performance.

The club, at Black Ivy in Edinburgh, was launched by Michelle Brown, founder of the eponymous PR agency which marks its 10th anniversary this year, to help businesses make connections and build relationships, exchange ideas, referrals and contacts, and hear from inspiring speakers every month, sharing their entrepreneurial journeys and business insights.

These include Chris van der Kuyl CBE, Chairman and Co-Founder of 4J Studios, developers of the multi-award-winning Minecraft Console editions, former co-founder of Social Bite and business coach, Alice Thompson, California based environmental entrepreneur Paul Tasner, founder of PulpWorks and Michael Welch, OBE and CEO at Tirebuyer.com.  

Also, Rachel Hanretty, founder of the award-winning Mademoiselle Macaron, which sells over 35,000 macarons a week, has a turnover of £1.2m and landed an order to send her meringue confections to the Barbie film set.

This month’s guest speaker, Ben Scott, specialises in health, wellbeing, performance and personal growth and was head-hunted to become Scotland’s Men’s Rugby Wellbeing Coach in 2021 to enhance the squads individual and collective wellbeing, on and off the field.

Having suffered from physical and mental challenges as a teenager, Ben embarked on a journey to discover the answers he needed to overcome them, which involved completing various courses, including a five-year master’s degree in Chiropractic, a three year postgraduate in Functional Neurology and a postgraduate diploma in Clinical Hypnotherapy.

From January 2021 until April 2023, he worked with the team during a time that became one of their most successful performance periods, breaking many of their records, and seeing them rise two places in the World Rugby Rankings. 

Ben, who continues to coach elite athletes in person and online, and also helps patients at Morningside Chiropractic, will be sharing the story of his career journey and the ‘4 Pillars of Wellbeing’ to help business owners get 2024 off to a positive start, professionally and personally.

Michelle said: “I’m delighted to welcome the wellbeing coach, Ben Scott, as the speaker at Love Your Business this month, whose advice on ‘purpose, potential and performance’ will help business owners to get 2024 off to a flying start.

“For the past six years so many speakers have given up their time to share their inspiring stories with us and learnings along the way and provide valuable advice for businesses which always leaves everyone in the room inspired and motivated.”

Ben said: “Being asked to speak at the Love Your Business networking event this month is a great opportunity for me to share insights on how our wellbeing effects our performances, both personally and professionally, and to highlight ways we can overcome our challenges, so that we are better able to fulfil our potential and reach our goals.”

“I’m really looking forward to celebrating the 6th anniversary of a club which has brought so many people and businesses together to share their knowledge and experiences, in what is such a fantastic achievement for Michelle.”

Over the years the networking club, has also supported various charities and social enterprises, including Make 2nds Count, Support in Mind Scotland, Invisible Cities, Epilepsy Scotland and Fighting Against Cancer Edinburgh, FACE who have received proceeds from ticket sales and marketing support.

Love Your Business networking club runs on the last Thursday of every month, from 11am till 1pm. The first event of the year is on the 25th January.  

Tickets are £20 plus booking – https://rb.gy/e8vefk.

Getting into the Spirit of Christmas

  • A night of festive cheer aims to raise funds for Muscular Dystrophy UK
  • Call for local community to join the festivities organised by Stagecoach Performing Arts
  • Helping to support groundbreaking research and life changing support

People in Glasgow and surrounding areas are invited to the Spirit of Christmas annual concert, an evening of uplifting performances, full of festive cheer, on Friday 1 and Saturday 2 December.

The Spirit of Christmas annual concert will take place at Broom Parish Church, Newton Mearns, hosted by Stagecoach Performing Arts. This year will be full of festive songs brought to you by the students of Stagecoach Glasgow.

Gordon Smith, ex-professional footballer and Muscular Dystrophy UK’s ambassador, will be addressing the audience on the Saturday evening to sing with the children.

Jodie Whitham, Muscular Dystrophy UK’s Regional Development Manager for Scotland and Northern Ireland said: “The Spirit of Christmas always feels like the start of the festive season.

“What a wonderful way to get into the Christmas spirit, with a night of uplifting music, in such beautiful surroundings.

“It’s truly joyful, with so many people giving their time to help us raise awareness and vital funds for people living with muscle wasting and weakening conditions. Make sure you don’t miss out on these magical nights!”

Tickets will be available to purchase on the door on each of the evenings.

  • Adult: £10
  • Child or concession £5
  • Family (two adults and two children) £25

For more information on Muscular Dystrophy UK visit musculardystrophyuk.org or call the free helpline on 0800 652 6352 (open Mon – Thurs 10am – 2pm). 

Maggie & Me: Coming to Traverse Theatre in 2024

WORLD PREMIERE

 National Theatre of Scotland presents 

Maggie & Me 

Written by Damian Barr and James Ley,  

Adapted from the memoir by Damian Barr  
Directed by Suba Das 

Opening at the Tron Theatre, Glasgow, and touring to Eden Court, Inverness; Perth Theatre; Lanternhouse, Cumbernauld; Dundee Rep Theatre and Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, with full tour dates and venues to be announced.  

Opening performance at the Tron Theatre on Thursday 9 May 2024.

Maggie & Me, Damian Barr’s award-winning and darkly witty memoir about growing up gay in Thatcher’s Britain is coming to Scottish stages, in a bold and explosive new production.   

Damian Barr is adapting his memoir for the stage, teaming up with Scottish playwright James Ley and directed by Suba Das.  

This new production from National Theatre of Scotland premieres at the Tron Theatre, Glasgow in May 2024 before touring to Inverness, Perth, Cumbernauld, Dundee and Edinburgh. 

“Don’t you worry. I’ll always love you. Love doesn’t run out. It’s not like the gas meter. I’ll find extra love.”  

It’s October 12, 1984 – the Brighton bombing. Maggie Thatcher emerges from the rubble, dusty but defiant and somehow in the living room of 8-year-old Damian Barr in Newarthill, North Lanarkshire. 

No time for turning, so buckle up for a surreal yet so-real rollercoaster ride through Damian’s painful past rediscovering who he really is. From the furnaces of the Ravenscraig Steelworks to the sanctuary of Carfin Grotto, there’s pain and joy, coming of age and coming out. And Saint Dolly Parton.  

It’s about finding your voice and telling your story.  Before you can move on, you have to look back… 

Published in 2013, Maggie & Me was named Sunday Times Memoir of the Year, awarded Paddy Power Political Satire Award and Barr was named Stonewall Writer of the Year.  

The National Theatre of Scotland will be collaborating with film and video students from New College Lanarkshire to create a short documentary about the making of the production. 

Damian Barr, co-writer and author of Maggie & Me, said: “National Theatre of Scotland has given me some of my most memorable nights in the theatre so it’s a great honour to be bringing Maggie & Me to life on stage with them. 

Maggie & Me is not just my story – it’s about the community that survived Thatcher, so I’m delighted we are working with New College Lanarkshire – based on the site of the Craig where my dad worked.  

“I’m a huge fan of James Ley’s plays and especially what they say about identity – writing with him has been a joy and I’ve learned so much about making the shift from page to stage.

“Director Suba Das is one of the most exciting theatre makers in the UK so I am thrilled he’s lending us his unique and uniquely engaging vision. I’m dedicating this play to my family, to my family of choice and to everyone who has ever struggled to find their place in the world.” 

James Ley, co-writer, said: I’m absolutely thrilled to be part of the team reimagining Damian’s joyous, funny, heartbreaking memoir for the stage. The chance to get to work with Damian, Suba and National Theatre of Scotland is a dream come true.

“The play is so much more than a memoir, it’s a vital check-in with the nation about what’s important to us, who we are and how we make sense of everything that’s thrown at us in life.

“Going on this journey with Damian has been as moving, hilarious and uplifting as I hope and believe the play will be when it gets in front of audiences next Spring. I can’t wait!” 

Suba Das, director, said: “I’m honoured that National Theatre Scotland have stretched the border a pinch to invite a Geordie director – proudly queer and working-class –  up to Glasgow to help create the world premiere of Maggie & Me.

“Damian’s account of survival and the quest for community, joy and voice resonates for any of us who know what it is to negotiate boundaries of sexuality and class. In a world that remains hostile to difference, I’m so moved to have Damian and James’s trust to now lead the creation of a production that holds hope and healing at its heart – for me, for us, and for every audience member we’ll meet on the great big adventure ahead.” 

Maggie & Me was high acclaimed upon publication and established itself as a classic Scottish memoir. This is the first time it has been adapted for the stage:

‘Funny, tender, and heartbreaking.’ The Independent 

‘Certain memoirs catch a moment and seem to define it, bottle it… Hugely entertaining.’ The Sunday Times 

‘A memoir which is both personally moving and a valuable historical document.’ Literary Review 

Born in Bellshill and now living in Brighton, Damian Barr is an award-winning writer and broadcaster.

His debut novel, You Will Be Safe Here, was Book of the Year in the Observer, Guardian and Mail. He has written several plays for radio, with Maggie & Me marking his first stage play. In 2019, Damian brought books back to television with the BBC’s Big Scottish Book Club, now in its fifth series. 

James Ley is an award-winning writer living in Glasgow.  

‘One of Scotland’s most exciting, early-career writers.’ Exeunt  

He wrote and directed Ode to Joy (How Gordon got to go to the nasty pig party), winner of a Scotsman Fringe First in 2022 and nominated for a Critics Award for Theatre Scotland Award 2023 for Best New Play which will tour next year.

His other plays include Wilf (Traverse Theatre) and Love Song to Lavender Menace (Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh, Summerhall, SoHo Playhouse, New York). James is currently under commission with the Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh, and is an alumnus of the BBC Writersroom Scottish Voices 2022/2023 and Edinburgh Film Festival Talent Lab. 

Suba Das is an award-winning theatre maker from the North East of England. Previously Creative Director at the Liverpool Everyman; and Artistic Director/CEO of the internationally acclaimed new writing company HighTide; Suba trained at Cambridge and on the prestigious Birkbeck MFA in Theatre Directing. He is a 2023 graduate of the National Film and Television School’s Director’s Series.  

His directing credits include major revivals of Top Girls (Liverpool Everyman), East Is East (Northern Stage and Nottingham Playhouse) and The Importance of Being Earnest (Bolton Octagon); in addition to the world premieres of Ravi Shankar’s Sukanya (with The Royal Opera and London Philharmonic Orchestra), Pink Sari Revolution by Purva Naresh, and Wipers by Ishy Din (all as Associate Director at Leicester Curve). This is his first time working with the National Theatre of Scotland. 

Touring to Tron Theatre, Glasgow (previews Wed 8 May) Thurs 9 May – Sat 11 May; One Touch, Eden Court Tues 14 May – Wed 15 May; Perth Theatre Fri 17 May – Sat 18 May; Cumbernauld Theatre Thurs 23 May – Sat 25 May; Dundee Rep Theatre Thurs 30 May – Sat 1 June; Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh Tues 11 June – Sat 15 June 

The National Theatre of Scotland’s popular Theatre for a Fiver scheme will be available for 14 to 16 year-olds and those on Universal Credit. 

Full tour information and creative biogs to date here

Anna Meredith’s “Tull” – Scottish Ensemble presents the first of two specially-commissioned performance films with Glasgow production company Forest of Black

Scottish Ensemble presents the first of two specially-commissioned performance films with Glasgow production company Forest of Black: Anna Meredith’s “Tull”

The musical score comes alive when a forest of pink plinths – each with their own independent character – grows homogeneously in response to the music.

Scottish Ensemble musicians – as if museum objects on display – balance precariously on top, whilst performing Anna Meredith’s gripping piece with laser focus.

Released in partnership with Delphian Records, Tull joins Scottish Ensemble’s growing catalogue of visually-striking music videos, from Philip Glass’ Symphony No. 3, to a gripping excerpt from Shostakovich’s Chamber Symphony, the second film of their partnership with Forest of Black which will be released in Spring 2024.

“Through creative video techniques, carefully styled set design, and compelling performances, I sought to introduce the audience to a whole new way of experiencing a Scottish Ensemble performance.

“The music’s rich interplay of light and shadow, as well as a sense of spontaneity and playfulness, played a pivotal role in shaping the overall creative direction of the video.

“The final product is a testament to the creative collaboration and dedication of the entire team. Considering the high level of ambition and the numerous technical challenges we faced, I am really pleased that we successfully brought this concept to life!” – AINS Director, Forest of Black

Key Dates:

NOW – single pre-add links live across 20+ streaming services: https://orcd.co/tull

17 November 2023 – Single and Music Video released on Scottish Ensemble YT channel and becomes widely available

Theatre in Schools Scotland tours MESS by Tenterhooks to ASN schools

Produced by Imaginate and National Theatre of Scotland

Theatre in Schools Scotland brings MESS by Tenterhooks to ASN schools in Scotland as part of its touring schools programme of live dance and theatre productions

MESS is visiting ASN schools in Edinburgh, Livingston, Dundee, Tain, Dingwall, Inverness and Aberdeen in September and October 2023 with a first performance at Oaklands School in North Edinburgh on Monday (25 September 2023).

Theatre in Schools Scotland (TiSS), the National Theatre of Scotland and Imaginate’s successful schools touring project is, for the first time, touring a show exclusively to ASN schools in Scotland, as part of its new 23/24 schools programme. 

TiSS is bringing the playful, bold show, MESS by Scottish company Tenterhooks, to schools for young people with complex additional support needs in September and October 2023. The show will be touring to ASN schools in Edinburgh, Livingston, Dundee, Tain, Dingwall, Inverness and Aberdeen. Following the tour to schools as part of TiSS, Tenterhooks will bring MESS to CHAS children’s hospices Rachel House in Kinross and Robin House in Balloch.

Created by Tenterhooks and produced by Scottish Theatre Producers, MESS is a bold, playful and emotionally engaging theatre performance made especially for young audiences (age 5-18) with complex additional support needs. In the performance, an ordinary day in the life of a team of caretakers turns unpredictable when, for the first time ever, they attempt to clean a space which has people in it. MESS features comedy, surprise, celebration and mild peril!

© Eoin Carey 2020

Tenterhooks is led by Diane Thornton, Suzie Ferguson, and Fergus Dunnet, two theatre clowns and one visual artist putting audiences at the heart of their bold and playful performances. MESS was co-devised by the cast and creative team from an original idea by Ben Winger. 

The MESS company includes performers/devisers: Ben Winger, Diane Thornton, Suzie Ferguson, Kerry Cleland, Ronan McMahon, Carmen Pieraccini and Lucy McGreal.

A number of the MESS ensemble performers work together as Clowndoctors (Hearts & Minds) and their therapeutic clowning practice, which includes spontaneity, complicity and playfulness has informed the development of the performance.

Julian Almeida, Theatre in Schools Scotland Project Manager says: “We’re delighted to be touring our first ever show made especially for young people with complex additional learning needs, which will exclusively visit ASN schools.

“The opportunity for children to experience and participate in performances in their own school environment is invaluable, and TiSS is committed to creating and developing new relationships with schools and teachers throughout Scotland.”

Theatre in Schools Scotland, produced by Imaginate and National Theatre of Scotland brings inspiring live theatre and dance productions, made specially for children and young people, into schools and nurseries.

The new TiSS programme also sees the welcome return of Cloud Man by Constellation Points/Ailie Cohen & Lewis Hetherington which had its original schools tour curtailed due to Covid-19 in 2020; and an extended second tour of Going for Gold: Me and Linford Christie by Victoria Beesley/Catherine Wheels Theatre Company which was first off the TiSS blocks to great acclaim in 2022.

TiSS is excited to be offering younger primary school pupils a brand new dance theatre performance, The Last Forecast, from Catherine Wheels Theatre Company/Bridie Gane.

The TiSS programme is available for schools to book anywhere in Scotland, offering performances in primary schools for all ages. TiSS continues to offer subsidised bookings to schools and create partnerships with local support organisations, ensuring live performances reach schools not only in cities and towns but in remote and rural communities.

www.theatreinschoolsscotland.co.uk

www.tenterhooks.org

Edinburgh dancers cast in international production of Romeo and Juliet

Three former EDA pupils return to Edinburgh for UK tour of Romeo and Juliet

Three aspiring Edinburgh dancers who landed dream roles with the internationally-renowned New Adventures Dance Company are back in the capital this week as cast members of the group’s production of Romeo & Juliet.

The local performers, Rory McLeod, Carla Contini, and Leonardo McCorkindale, all former pupils of leading dance school Edinburgh Dance Academy (EDA), are performing in the Scottish capital this week as part of the show’s international tour.

The Scottish trio have all been recruited by the iconic and ground-breaking New Adventures, set up by one of Britian’s most innovative choreographers, Sir Matthew Bourne.

22-year-old Rory joined the company in 2021 after attending Laine Theatre Arts dance school in Surrey and made his cameo appearance in New Adventure’s Nutcracker! in April last year.

Meanwhile, Leonardo, aged 20, and Carla (19) were taken on by the company earlier this year after graduating from Tring Park School for the Performing Arts in Hertfordshire. Their performance in Romeo and Juliet, which is currently on a UK tour before moving on to Europe and the US early next year, marks their New Adventures debut.

New Adventures has received numerous international awards and has won six Olivier Awards which recognise excellence in London’s professional theatre circuit. The company’s repertoire has inspired and thrilled millions of people worldwide.

During their five-day at the Festival Theatre, the three Edinburgh dancers were reunited with EDA’s Julie Mitchell and Jenny Inglis, both of whom were former dance teachers to the trio while they were growing up in the city.

Julie Mitchell said: “We are so delighted with the progress of our three former pupils, who are now part of this international production being staged by one of the world’s leading dance companies.

“While Rory, Carla, and Leonardo all developed their dance talent as youngsters, it has been their drive and commitment that has led them to becoming part of Matthew Bourne’s prestigious New Adventures company.

“We’ve very proud of all three and we wish them every success with their careers going forward.”