A new residency for musical theatre writers, composers, and lyricists from the UK, India and the United States
Presented by Cove Park and Dundee Rep Theatre in partnership with Capital Theatres, Citizens Theatre, Macrobert Arts Centre, National Centre for the Performing Arts – Mumbai, National Theatre of Scotland, Octopus Theatricals – New York City, Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh, and Traverse Theatre.
Associate partners include A Play, A Pie and a Pint, Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Playwrights’ Studio Scotland and Tron Theatre.
With their rich and varied expertise, the partners will work with Cove Park and Dundee Rep and play a valuable role in this project. Providing mentoring, support and feedback as required during the residency, they will help enrich the writers’ experience. All partners are committed to developing the musical theatre landscape, both in Scotland and further afield.
The residency has been devised by Andrew Panton, Artistic Director of Dundee Rep Theatre, and will include facilitated sessions with Dramaturg Jeanie O’Hare (formerly Director of New Work Development at The Public Theater), Music Supervisor Nigel Lilley (Next to Normal at Donmar Warehouse, Caroline, or Change on Broadway), Donna Lynn Hilton, Artistic Director of Goodspeed Musicals and David Greig, Artistic Director of Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh.
The programme also includes networking opportunities and workshop sessions, in-person and digital, with industry professionals including writers, composers, producers, directors, and other theatre practitioners – such as Tony® Award-winning director John Doyle, Tony® and Grammy® Award-winning producer Mara Isaacs, Tony® Award-winning producer Rashad V. Chambers, and more.
Applications to take part in this residency are being accepted from UK-based teams of up to three collaborators who have a musical theatre idea in need of development and would benefit from the residency experience to take it to the next stage in its creation.
To apply, individuals or teams must be based in the UK – Cove Park and Dundee Rep are particularly interested in receiving applications from teams based in Scotland. The participating artists from India and the United States will be selected separately through nominations via international partners.
One of the key performing arts venues in the Scottish capital, The Studio is managed by Capital Theatres alongside the King’s Theatre and the Festival Theatre and this year it celebrates its 10th anniversary.
To mark the occasion, The Studio team is announcing details of it’s Open@TheStudioprogramme which has been piloted over the last few months with great success.
Open@TheStudio is a unique, comprehensive programme of practical workshops, useful talks, R&D residencies and scratch nights designed to help those in the theatre industry: new graduates, independent artists, companies and self-producers, offering them a complete support package, from advice and networking, to workshops, free to use space and seed money.
Fiona Gibson, CEO of Capital Theatres said: “Everyone at Capital Theatres is hugely excited to continue the vital opportunity that Open@TheStudio offers to performing arts practitioners in Edinburgh and the Lothians, following the very successful pilot earlier this year.
“The Studio is becoming an exciting new hub for emerging creatives – here’s to the next 10 years of celebrating and sharing their fantastic creativity!”
Claire Symonds, Head of Creative Engagement at Capital Theatres said: “We recognise that the pandemic has caused a massive skills drain in the performing arts industry and also broken pathways for early career arts practitioners to emerge from education into professional practice. Open@TheStudio aims to address that.
“Following the runaway success that was the Open@TheStudio pilot, we are delighted to continue the programme which allows the participants to explore their creativity while learning new skills.
“Many arts organisations around the country offer similar support but we think that the comprehensive programme of Open@TheStudio is pretty unique as it addresses so many aspects of creative practice.
“We see it as an important investment in the creative talent of the future and cannot wait to share it with the industry and our audiences.”
The programme includes:
Open Conversations 90-minute sessions on the nuts & bolts of the industry
An insight into how things work and informal networking with local theatre makers and producers, answering questions such as how does tour booking work? How do you get funding? How does programming work? How theatre maths works?
Click here for the latest schedule for Open Conversations. Bookings open on Thurs 6 July.
Open to Ideas residency programme for new theatre makers
The Studio provides 5 free days of space, 2 days free technical support and £2k seed funding. There is no pressure to showcase an end product and the theatre makes no promises to programme. This is a genuine invitation to explore an idea.
Taking advantage of the fantastic talent performing at Capital Theatres’ venues, Open Workshops offer a chance to work with visiting companies, from West End touring shows to the hottest new contemporary theatre makers, offering a unique chance to learn from the experts.
Workshop schedule will be announced in due course.
Open Floor scratch nights
Theatre practitioners can test their work in front of a live audience – with the audience giving them constructive feedback afterwards.
The next Open Floor scratch night takes place on 1 November 2023. £5 tickets are available to book here. Bookings open on Thurs 6 July.
Anonymous survey conducted following the pilot of Open@TheStudio reiterated the urgent need for such a programme with the participants saying:
“Please, keep going. Keep offering residencies and space to create and stage our work, keep cultivating connections to grassroots theatre-makers and platforms, keep actually using your venue for the benefit of the local theatre community. (…) Be proud of this and let that pride inform your offerings to the creatives that for so long have been wanting to collaborate with your venue.”
“I think a lot of regularly funded organisations who say that they support local artists, but this doesn’t always translate to real-world opportunities. It is very good to have something open to a range of different theatre makers, rather than very few opportunities which end up going to the expected faces. It allows us to build relationships with a theatre org even if we don’t have a completed shiny product to share right now. I think that’s vital.”
“It feels like there are very few free or cheap workshops for theatre makers in the city. This is the first set of workshops I’ve heard about that offer such in-depth information on a range of extremely relevant and useful topics.”
Open@The Studio is generously supported by Baillie Gifford.
The Gift has been presented with the award for best Production for Children and Young People at the 20th annual Critics’ Awards for Theatre in Scotland. The awards ceremony which took place on Sunday 11th June at Traverse Theatre, saw Capital Theatres take home their first ever CATs award for the production.
Specially designed for children aged between 2 and 5 years old, The Gift isa story about how often, the wrapping paper, cardboard boxes and bubble wrap reveal playfulness, creativity and imagination – the true gift! The Festive show isbursting with energy, acrobatic dance, textures, sounds and colour to create a multi-sensory wonderland from the left-over boxes, ribbons and wrapping.
The Gift is a commission by Capital Theatres, Aberdeen Performing Arts and Eden Court, and a co-production between Barrowland Ballet and Capital Theatres for its 2022 presentation,
Natasha Gilmore, Artistic Director of Barrowland Ballet and creator of The Gift said:“It was such a privilege to sit in The studio at Capital theatre watching the Gift over Christmas with all these families enjoying going to the theatre together.
“A reminder of the joy of theatre and what a unique and memorable experience it is.”
Fiona Gibson, CEO of Capital Theatressaid: “It was an absolute privilege to witness the impact and joy The Gift brought to young audiences and their families in The Studio last Christmas and we are thrilled Barrowland Ballet and Natasha Gilmore’s wonderful work has won a CATs award this year.
“Collaborating with Eden Court and Aberdeen Performing Arts for this commission has been a real pleasure and sits at the heart of our vision to support and develop Scottish talent.
“This is of particular significance for Capital Theatres as The Gift marks the first time we’ve commissioned new work for young children in our studio as well as our first CATs award as a producer.”
Ben Torrie, Director of Programming and Creative Arts of Aberdeen Performing Arts said: “It has been a real joy working with our friends at Capital Theatres and Eden Court on the joint commission, which has resulted in the creation of three fantastic productions.
“The innovative model makes the most of our collective resources, provides stability for venues and artists, as well as ensuring that more young audiences across Scotland get to experience top quality theatre.
“Everyone at Aberdeen Performing Arts is thrilled for Barrowland Ballet in receiving this much-deserved accolade, and we can’t wait to welcome the awarding-winning production of The Gift to the Lemon Tree this Christmas.”
Susannah Armitage, Eden Court Senior Producer said:“The Gift is a beautiful piece of festive dance theatre for children that had our young audiences transfixed.
“It was a joy to collaborate with the ever brilliant Natasha and Barrowland Ballet as part of our co-commissioning and co-producing partnership with Aberdeen Performing Arts and Capital Theatres.”
Capital Theatres are delighted to announce a new corporate partnership with Brewgooder, a Scottish-based craft beer company whose ‘Brewed on Purpose’ commitment to create waves of people-positive change through their business, chimes with our own brand values of consideration and collaboration alongside our sustainability objectives in our own business practices.
Among their many ethical initiatives, Brewgooder work with impact partner Charity Water to ensure that for every can or pint of their beer enjoyed, they commit to 100 pints or cans being provided in clean water on projects across the world. Similarly, they continue to strive for more ethical business practices and a more diverse and inclusive brewing industry through their Work in Progress scheme.
In July Brewgooder were incredibly proud to be recognised as one of the ‘Best for the World™’ B Corps of 2021. This was awarded for their clean water efforts in the Community area as well as meeting the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose.
Capital Theatres and Brewgooder began working together last year as part of Brewgooder’s Panto in a Box initiative – a pack of four themed beers, panto snacks and a panto story with a proportion of the profits going to the Theatre Artists Fund, including local schemes which benefited Capital Theatres’ artistic community.
Since the pandemic had put a pause on the King’s Panto we were more than happy to help Brewgooder promote this fun alternative to benefit artists whose income had disappeared overnight.
Building on this relationship, as a Capital Theatres’ Corporate Partner Brewgooder will benefit from a brand match with Scotland’s largest independent theatre charity operating three city-centre venues: the Festival Theatre, the King’s Theatre and the Studio. With a diverse year-round programme of drama, dance, musicals, opera, ballet, children’s theatre and more, our theatres attract audiences from across Edinburgh, the Lothians and beyond.
Fiona Gibson, Chief Executive of Capital Theatres said: “We’re thrilled to find partners in Brewgooder who share our values and have ethical and environmental policies and practices at the heart of what they do.
“As Scotland’s largest theatre charity, we’re passionate about working alongside local businesses which, as in Brewgooder’s case, have a global reach. It feels good to know that every pint or can of Brewgooder sold in our bars will result in clean water for those who really need it.”
James Hughes, Co-Founder of Brewgooder said:“We’re delighted to see the Capital Theatres venues reopening with performances returning, and are very proud to have our beer stocked across their venues.
“Last Christmas we had dedicated our festive campaign to support the devastated performing arts scene and to raise money for local relief funds set up for venues that included Capital Theatres, so having hopefully come through the worst of these difficult times, we’re keen to create plenty of positive moments and outcomes together via this newly formed partnership.”
LMNS continues to collaborate with the Scottish Arts Club with Virtual Fridays on the Fringe
Teaming up with Capital Theatres, LMNS provides dementia friendly tea-party
National Galleries of Scotland and LMNS continue to work in partnership on lockdown concert series
As we adjust to the new normal, Live Music Now Scotland (LMNS) is embracing the change this festival season with a programme of inclusive, online and in person events that extends into September.
From tea parties catering for those with dementia, to a continued collaboration as part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe, LMNS is excited to shake off the difficulties of the past year by bringing even more live music, to even more people.
Collaborating once again this summer, Live Music Now Scotland and the Scottish Arts Club are joining forces for Virtual Fridays on the Fringe, an online concert bringing audiences from all over Edinburgh, the UK and even the world, the sound of Scotland this summer.
Taking place this Friday (13 August), fiddler Euan McLaughlin and guitarist Nicky Kirk will be taking to the digital stage with a selection of folk and traditional tunes from 6.30pm.
Part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Virtual Fridays on the Fringe is produced by Fika Productions for the Scottish Arts Club.
Throughout the pandemic the LMNS team has been working hard to keep live music in the lives of those who would otherwise not, even at the best of times, get the chance to enjoy it. Achieved by embracing the power of Zoom and, as restriction lifted, even occasionally the power of the outdoor gazebo, LMNS continues to find new ways to herald in the return to live.
This summer two significant projects, one supported by The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust and the other by Morton Charitable Trust, continue to bring live music (and in-the-flesh LMNS musicians!) to residential homes in Edinburgh and four Erskine homes for veterans.
Fiddler Jamie MacDonald and guitarist Nicky Kirk entertained residents at Murrayfield House Care Home to hugely positive feedback from all involved.
One Murrayfield House Care Home staff member said: “Jamie and Nicky were fantastic. They gave a flawless performance. They interacted with the residents who enjoyed the outdoor performance. Staff were happy to see residents in the garden and see how happy they were.”
On Monday 23 August LMNS is delighted to be joining Capital Theatres for a dementia friendly Tea Party. Taking place online audiences are encouraged grab a cuppa, and favourite sarnie or a scone, and join in on YouTube for a sing-a-long and some dancing.
And, once again teaming up with the National Galleries of Scotland for its lockdown concert series, LMNS continues to support those living with dementia across Scotland, with an online and dementia friendly session. With both musicians and audiences joining in from the comfort of their own homes, these soothing sets are suitable for everyone of any age and are entirely free.
It is not only the ears of the older generation being treated to LMNS live music this summer.
YouthLink Summer of Play by YouthLink Scotland (the national agency for youth work) in Kirkcaldy saw young people with additional support needs enjoy live, in person performances by a range of LMNS musicians including Kaitlin Ross, Sally Simpson, Valerie Barr, Aidan Moodie and Robbie Greig.
Later in the year, from Monday 27 September – Friday 1 October, working with Aberdeenshire Council Youth Music Initiative (YMI), LMNS musicians will take to the road in Aberdeenshire, bringing music to ten schools across the region.
Harpist Lucie Hendry and fiddler Sally Simpson are the latest LMNS musicians to take part in the initiative which aims to create access to high quality music making opportunities for young people.
Created by the Scottish Government and administered by Creative Scotland, YMI offers young people the chance to achieve their potential in or through music making, while supporting the development of the youth music sector.
Carol Main MBE, Director at Live Music Now Scotland, said: “We are delighted that live music is coming back across the country post pandemic.
“There is a fantastic range of events and opportunities for our musicians to take part in this summer, and it is testament to the hard work of venues – be they concert halls or care homes – that these are starting to take place in person, as well as online.
“We continue to work with some exceptional establishments who provide support for those with additional support needs of all ages, and it is heart-warming to hear how much music has been missed and how impactful its return has been for so many.”
CAPITAL THEATRES SECURES £6.5 MILLION GRANT CONTRIBUTION FROM SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT TOWARDS THE £25 MILLION REDEVELOPMENT OF THE KING’S THEATRE
Minister for Culture and International Development, Jenny Gilruth MSP, has confirmed total grant funding of £6.5 million from the Scottish Government for the King’s Theatre Redevelopment Project.
Opened in 1906, the King’s Theatre, Edinburgh is an important venue for touring drama, musicals and children’s shows. It is home to Scotland’s biggest Panto production and each year plays a pivotal role in hosting the Edinburgh International Festival.
The King’s has a unique place in the hearts and minds of many Edinburgh residents, and is a theatre of national and historical importance.
The redevelopment will modernise the existing facilities and transform the experiences of visitors, local communities, performers and staff, whilst preserving its unique heritage.
The plans will ensure the theatre remains a vital part of Edinburgh and Scotland’s cultural provision, as well as functioning as a community hub for years to come. The redevelopment project is set to start in September 2022, with the theatre planned to reopen in mid-2024.
This grant from the Scottish Government joins £4 million already secured from the City of Edinburgh Council along with additional loan funding. The rest of the budget is made-up of generous donations from individuals, grants from trusts and foundations, support from companies and Capital Theatres’ own contribution from ticket income.
Alongside this an application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund is currently moving into its second stage. The grant from Scottish Government consolidates a robust mixed funding model and paves the way for a public campaign to fundraise for the remaining £3 million.
Fiona Gibson, CEO of Capital Theatres said: “We’re overjoyed with this show of support and confidence in the King’s Redevelopment Project from the Scottish Government.
“As COVID 19 hit in March 2020, Capital Theatres announced that the redevelopment of the King’s would be paused for a year whilst we dealt with the impact of the pandemic. Far from lose momentum on the project, 15 months of closure has made us all the more determined to ensure the King’s Theatre can honour its illustrious past with a thriving future at the heart of Edinburgh and Scotland’s cultural life.
“Not only a wonderful venue for joy and inspiration, the King’s will also offer a thriving hub by day for the many communities situated in and around Tollcross. Scottish Government’s grant, along with the grant and loan funding from City of Edinburgh Council, makes this project viable.
“This funding stands alongside the National Lottery Heritage Fund grant we are working so hard to secure, and the tireless efforts of our Development Team. There is, however, still a way to go to reach our financial target and we’ll be launching a public fundraising campaign later in the year.
“This last push will build on the generous support shown during our period of closure, so the people of Edinburgh and Scotland can continue to play their part by helping us secure the future of the King’s as a historical and cultural treasure.”
Culture Minister Jenny Gilruthsaid: “The King’s Theatre has been a jewel in Edinburgh’s cultural crown for more than a 100 years, with generations of audiences enjoying a rich diversity of shows from its annual pantomimes to world premieres at the Edinburgh International Festival.
“The Scottish Government is pleased to support the redevelopment of the grade A-listed theatre and enable the King’s Theatre to reach out to a wider range of audience and increase its community engagement.”
City of Edinburgh Council Culture and Communities Convener, Cllr Donald Wilson said: “The King’s has been a beloved Edinburgh theatre for over a century, programming the best in touring drama, hosting some of the most talented community and non-professional groups; and certainly the best in pantomime, as well as bringing all kinds of theatre experiences to the city from all over the country, including London’s West End.
“The ‘Grand Old Lady of Leven Street’ has always been Edinburgh’s theatre for everyone.”
Cllr Amy McNeese-Mechan, Culture and Communities Vice Convener said: “The King’s is in need of this capital project to bring the theatre back to a standard fit for the 21st century whilst acknowledging the incredible history.
“This capital funding contribution is great news and a fantastic achievement for the theatre and will substantially strengthen its redevelopment ambitions, ensuring that we will all be able to continue to enjoy a great night at the King’s for many more years and generations to come.”
Raw Material and Capital Theatres, in association with the National Theatre of Scotland, have announced a new large-scale production James IV – Queen of the Fight that will come to stages across Scotland in autumn 2022.
Scotland, 1504, seen fresh through the eyes of new arrivals, Ellen and Anne, two Moorishwomen who wereexpected to take their place at a royal court … but not this one.
Both women now have to fight to find and keep a place in the dazzling, dangerous world of the Scottish Court of James IV. It’s a world where war is never far away, words of love and promises of peace are not what they seem and where poets might turn out to be more dangerous than any assassin.
Rona Munro’s vividly imagined trilogy has already brought to life three generations of Stewart kings who ruled Scotland in the tumultuous fifteenth century to the acclaim of audiences and critics from Scotland to Auckland.
The original trilogy opened at the Edinburgh International Festival in 2014 before touring Scotland and internationally, winning several awards. They were acknowledged as a landmark event in Scottish and UK theatre. Now comes James IV with Laurie Sansom directing once more.
Co-produced by Raw Material, the award-winning, independent, producing company based in Glasgow, and Capital Theatres, Scotland’s largest theatre charity based in Edinburgh, the production will open at the Festival Theatre, Edinburgh in the autumn of 2022 before touring Scotland.
Rona Munro said:“The first three James Plays – James I – The Key Will Keep the Lock, James II – The Day of the Innocents and James III – The True Mirror, were among the most exciting and the most satisfying theatre productions I’ve ever been part of.
“To be able to continue this work, with Laurie and with this team is, for me, to continue that excitement. My larger ambition is to extend the Stewart history of Scotland through James V, Mary Queen of Scots and to conclude with James VI who became James I of England.
“My hope is that I can make this history more accessible, make those invisible in history visible again and provide a representation of the most potent and telling truth of history- it was made by people like us.”
Laurie Sansom said: “It’s a great privilege to be returning to the world created by Rona in the first trilogy of James Plays.
“It was probably the most challenging and rewarding creative project I have worked on, and it’s now thrilling to be realising a long-held ambition to continue the story with the support of Raw Material, Capital Theatres and the National Theatre of Scotland.”
Fiona Gibson, CEO of Capital Theatres said: “I’m truly excited to be co-producing the next James Play with the highly talented duo that is Raw Material along with the support of National Theatre of Scotland.
“Gillian and Margaret-Anne have an eye for that special story that audiences just won’t want to miss. As Scotland’s largest theatre charity, we are delighted to support independent producers and enable them to create new work for our stages.
“With this announcement we are also revealing a new artistic thread which will continue to enrich our work at Capital Theatres; broadening out our programming by taking a more active role in a select number of co-productions; allowing us to collaborate with a range of fantastic producing partners such as Raw Material and play a central role in the creative life of Scotland’s theatre sector.
“Having had a sneak peek during the initial development phase of James IV, we can’t wait to see what Rona and Laurie finally create.”
Gillian Garrity & Margaret-Anne O’Donnell, Raw Materialsaid: “We are beyond thrilled to be working with Capital Theatres on this new production of James IV – Queen of the Fight by Rona Munro.
“As independent producers we are acutely aware of the need for high quality Scottish plays that can perform on some of our largest stages. This past year has been challenging across all parts of our sector and we look forward to heralding the return of our creative artists to venues and stages with the best stories and plays that will entertain and delight audiences across Scotland and beyond.
“Through a new co-producing partnership with the incredible team at Capital Theatres led by Fiona Gibson, a script by Rona Munro, direction by Laurie Sansom and support from the National Theatre of Scotland we are raring to go and very much looking forward to touring James IV to audiences across Scotland in autumn next year.”
Jackie Wylie, Artistic Director of National Theatre of Scotlandsaid: “We are hugely excited to be supporting the next stage in Rona Munro’s ambitious and thrilling historical theatrical saga. We know that audiences will be delighted to have the opportunity to return to the Scottish court and to find out what happens next to Rona’s vividly imagined Scots Royals.
“It’s brilliant to have Laurie Sansom at the helm and to welcome him back to Scottish theatre. We are also proud to be supporting an exciting new producing partnership between Capital Theatres and Raw Material which promises to bring much to audiences, artists and the sector”
Capital Theatres, Scotland’s largest theatre charity, in association with the Traverse, Scotland’s new writing theatre, present a new audio project aimed at people living with dementia, their loved ones and carers: When The Sun Meets The Sky.
Leaders in arts and dementia engagement, Capital Theatres presents the audio play in lieu of the annual Care Settings Theatre Tour which was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Following the success of Sundown Stories, the audio play is developed in very close collaboration with Creative Contributors – people with lived experience of dementia.
The audio play will be available on Capital Theatres’ YouTube channel and the Traverse 3 website from Tuesday, 4 May. Transcriptions and closed captions will be available online, with DVDs, CDs and large print versions available for those without Internet access.
To enhance the experience of the audio play, 70 sensory resource boxes will be produced as well as guides to make-your-own at home.
If they are interested in the audio play and accompanying sensory resource boxes, care homes, families and friends of people living with dementia are encouraged to get in touch by emailing dawn.irvine@capitaltheatres.com.
An online public event on 6 May will give audiences an exclusive behind-the-scenes access to When The Sun Meets The Sky creation process.
Capital Theatres is very pleased to announce its new project developed in partnership with Traverse Theatre which is aimed at people with a lived experience of dementia and older people experiencing isolation and sensory deprivation.
Delivered to care homes in and around Edinburgh as well as to individuals who are living in the community, the audio play was devised in lieu of the annual Capital Theatres’s Care Settings Theatre Tour which had to be cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic and it also follows on the success of Sundown Stories, a series of short, calming stories written by and for people living with dementia.
Set in iconic Edinburgh locations – from summertime in the Meadows after the war, to a Beatles gig in the ABC on Lothian Road, Christmastime on the Mound in the 80s and ending up in the Port O’Leith after the turn of the millennium, When The Sun Meets The Sky tracks Maggie through the decades as she discovers herself, her city and tries to get to the bottom of a mystery that’s eluded her since childhood.
From the Traverse Theatre, Jack Nurse, Artist in Residence (Creative Development) and Robbie Gordon, Creative Development Producer, led the creative aspect of developing the play, working very closely with Creative Contributors – people living with dementia, their family and friends, carers and ex-carers.
Dawn Irvine, Learning and Participation Co-ordinator (Dementia Friendly Projects) said: “Undoubtedly, the global pandemic has put an unimaginable strain on care homes and those living with dementia, their families, carers and friends.
“Due to the lockdown restrictions, we weren’t able to deliver our usual creative engagement programme so decided to produce something that can be enjoyed remotely and included craft activities and sensory resources to be enjoyed by residents and staff.
“We are very pleased to now be able to share the audio play with public: a quality, creative experience that is shaped by and for people living with dementia. We hope that through this project they will feel encouraged to share their own personal stories and ultimately, feel more empowered and connected to those around them which is more important now than ever before.”
Linda Crooks, Traverse Theatre Executive Producer said: “We are delighted to have partnered with Capital Theatres on this project that speaks powerfully to our commitment of finding creative and meaningful ways for our artists to engage with our audiences and our city with work that seeks to bring communities together during these isolating times.
“COVID-19 has had an undeniable impact on those living with dementia, their carers, family and friends. Created for and with people living with dementia in Edinburgh, we hope that When The Sun Meets The Sky will offer listeners those much needed moments of connection, while also sharing a beautiful story that’s very much rooted in our city.”
Kathryn Bailey Activities Coordinator at the Elms Nursing Home said: “The residents at the Elms have benefitted from the thoughtful collection of dementia-friendly activities produced by Dawn Irvine and the team at Capital Theatres.
“Covid restrictions presented challenges which they overcame with creative alternatives including audio-visual Tea Parties, Sundowning Stories and, most recently, a radio play.
“Residents have positively benefited from all activities and were delighted to be included by the writers of the radio play’s research and to proof-read the drafts of the play as they developed.
“These activities have prompted meaningful conversations, reminiscence and joy in the moment. One of our residents, Joyce Miller, inspired the development of climbing lamp post idea and has worked on a sketch of the scene by adding colour and pattern in a pointillism style.”
Capital Theatres has over 5 years of experience in working creatively with persons living with dementia, the creation of dementia friendly performances as well as trained staff who are knowledgeable about dementia inclusive practice and dementia enablement.
Traverse Theatre is Scotland’s leading new writing theatre and expert in theatre production – recently also in audio play and podcast production.
During the Research & Development phase of the project, Capital Theatres’ team carried out extensive consultations with care homes staff, people living with dementia and their loved ones with whom they have developed a relationship over the years through various projects. The feedback was extremely positive.
Interviewees were very keen on increasing the level of creative engagement in their everyday life – something that has substantially diminished over the past 12 months due to the lockdown restrictions.
They were highly supportive of a radio play as an opportunity for people to engage in either large or small groups or individually as well as support those with visual impairments to enjoy creative work not reliant on sight.
They also appreciated that radio play could be enjoyed with minimal need for care staff intervention and is a resource that can be used over and again.
The episodes of the audio play can be enjoyed individually or as part of a larger, connected story. Delivered in a relaxed, conversational manner with no loud noises or loud music, the audio play focuses on real stories and narration that is easy to follow, without hindrance of sub plots or many characters.
The audio play will be available to experience for free on the Capital Theatres’ YouTube channel and Traverse Theatre website from Tuesday, 4 May. In order to make it as accessible as possible, Capital Theatres’ team has produced a transcribed version, a large print version and will provide CDs and DVDs to those without Internet access.
The audio play will be distributed among Edinburgh and Lothians care homes and people living with dementia in their own homes. Capital Theatres and Traverse Theatre would like to encourage those who are interested in experiencing the project to get in touch by emailing dawn.irvine@capitaltheatres.com.
To further enhance the experience, Capital Theatres has produced a number of sensory packs which will be distributed to care homes and individuals alongside the play.
These packs will include items relating to the stories that can be touched or smelled like a small bottle containing an essence of a smell of freshly cut grass. The packs will also provide a list of conversation starters to encourage listeners to delve deeper into the themes explored in the play and share their own experiences. The team has also produced an easy guide to making your own sensory pack at home.
The cast of When the Sun Meets the Sky includes popular stage and tv actor Irene Allan, known for her roles in Taggart and Doctors – Maureen Beattie, Mason Clarke-Whale, a second year BA Acting student at RCS, River City and Taggart-regular Tam Dean Burn, playwright and actor Robbie Gordon, actor, musician and singer Rebekah Lumsden and Rehanna Macdonald, known for her work with Richard Burton Company and Stellar Quines, among others.
A free, digital, public event taking place on Thursday (6 May) will give those interested in learning more about the process of creating When The Sun Meets The Sky an exclusive access to the behind-the-scenes.
Featuring Dawn Irvine, Dementia Friendly Co-ordinator at Capital Theatres, from the Traverse Theatre, Robbie Gordon, Creative Development Producer and Artist in Residence, Jack Nurse as well as Ian Laurence, one of the Creative Contributors, this special digital event will be hosted on Capital Theatres’ website.
Capital Theatres is looking to appoint three key individuals to its team – Director of Finance & Business Services, Director of Development & Head of Creative Engagement.
Under the leadership of a new Chief Executive Fiona Gibson, Capital Theatres is moving into an exciting new strategic phase as it spearheads the cultural and economic regeneration of its communities in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is now recruiting for three key positions to help it move successfully forwards, including a new post for Head of Creative Engagement, further developing its increasing focus on community engagement and developing artistic talent, and a new Director of Development who will lead the fundraising campaign to support the redevelopment of the King’s Theatre as well as a variety of creative projects.
It’s current Director of Finance, Iain Ross is set to retire after 11 years with Capital Theatres and so the third role is set to steer the organisation financially as it charts its way through recovery and seeks to expand its creative vision.
Director of Development; an important role in the future strategic direction of the organisation, the post will be responsible for devising and implementing a creative and innovative fundraising strategy, of which a key priority will be the King’s Theatre Redevelopment Campaign.
Building on the success already achieved in the early phases of the capital appeal, the new Director will lead the public launch of a high-profile capital campaign, which will see the century-old, iconic landmark in Edinburgh transformed and restored it to its former glory, ensuring its future for generations to come.
Head of Creative Engagement; a new role for a special person who can grow and develop all aspects of the Creative Engagement programme, centring on Capital Theatres’ strategic ambition to co-create high quality projects that make a real difference inside the local communities it serves.
The role will also lead on increasing community engagement around the King’s Theatre Redevelopment Campaign, develop the Studio as a ‘go-to’ venue for emerging artists and new work, pioneer alternative performance experiences for audience members whose needs are not met by traditional models and evolve the organisation’s award-winning engagement activity with people living with dementia.
Director of Finance and Business Services: Resilience and longevity of the theatres is paramount and the Director of Finance & Business Services is pivotal to ensuring the long-term sustainability of the organisation.
The role will manage the financial business case for delivery of the King’s Theatre redevelopment project, along with financial decisions support for the broader organisational strategy including collaboration and co-production with cultural consortia and artistic partners, revenue growth through trading and the cashflow planning and reporting requirements of public and private fundraising.
Three charitable arts organisations will receive a share of £3 million of additional funding as part of the ongoing emergency coronavirus (COVID-19) support for culture.
Capital Theatres – which operates the Festival Theatre, the King’s Theatre and The Studio in Edinburgh – will receive £800,000.
Aberdeen Performing Arts – which runs His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen Music Hall and The Lemon Tree – will receive £1.4 million.
Eden Court Highlands – Scotland’s largest single-site arts venue – will receive £800,000.
The funding is part of the £185 million package of targeted COVID-19 funding announced by the Scottish Government last month.
Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “This funding will help to secure the future of three of Scotland’s important independent performing arts charities, protecting jobs and addressing some of the financial pressures they are facing.
“These venues all receive UK and international touring work of major scale, make a significant contribution to the economy and support a network of arts organisations, artists and creatives at the heart of our cities and regions.
“The Scottish Government has allocated more than £120 million of additional funding to support culture and heritage since the start of the pandemic and we will continue to listen to the needs of the sectors.”
Chief Executive of Aberdeen Performing Arts Jane Spiers said: “This funding will go a long way towards helping us survive, thrive and play our part in the cultural and economic recovery of the North-East.
As an arts charity with a high reliance on earned income and over 500 show cancellations to date through 2021 and into 2022, it provides us with a vital lifeline.
“This new funding recognises the unique scale of the challenge facing large scale theatres and concert halls, the significance of culture to the region’s economic future and the vital role Aberdeen Performing Arts plays in civic, cultural and community life.
“We wouldn’t be here today without all the financial support we’ve been able to access to date from the Scottish Government, from our local authority and generous donations from audiences. It means more than words can say. We can’t wait to welcome everyone back when it’s safe to do so.”
This additional support takes the overall emergency COVID-19 funding from the Scottish Government to £2.38 million for Aberdeen Performing Arts, £2.07 million for Eden Court Highlands and £1.55 million for Capital Theatres.
