Out of the Blue at Forest Fringe

Out of the Blue at Forest Fringe 

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The Forest Fringe grew from a totally independent, not-for-profit space in the midst of the Edinburgh Festival …

Out of the Blue grew from a totally independent, not-for-profit space in the midst of Edinburgh – all year round …

Now Out of the Blue and the Forest Fringe are engaged in a merging of space, ideas and productions at the Out of the Blue Drill Hall as part of as an ever audacious programme of experimentation and adventure which makes exciting, improbable, spectacular things happen.

Out of the Blue’s contribution of home grown Leith talent is wide ranging.

Tales from the Hanging Captain
Sat 13th & Sun 14th August

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An exuberant theatre production – made in Leith for the people of Leith – and beyond! Having previewed as part of this year’s Leith Festival the company regroup to get their stories out to the wider world.

As locals gather in the fictional Leith bar ‘The Hanging Captain’, auld Sandy takes the audience on a voyage through time and shares the stories of the Dockers involvement in the whaling industry, the ‘Darien Scheme’ and the strikes of 1913.

As Joyce Mcmillan has said: “if ever there was a town full of stories, that knew how to persevere in telling them, it’s the venerable, beautiful and unpredictable Port of Leith.”

And who better to perform the riveting stories than two of Out of the Blue’s all year round resident theatre companies, Active Inquiry and Strange Town.

Joyce McMillan said in her 2015 review of the companies’ “Persevere” production: “difficult not to be moved and shaken by the profound sense of place, time and continuity conjured up by this fine 24-strong community company” (June 2015)

Local people involved in the production also commented:

“It was a great experience to be part of a project which engaged with the history of our local area, whilst simultaneously engaging with the community that lives here now”

Chains on sink plugs
Thu 18 & Fri 19th August, 12pm

David Nicol is a long time participant at the Out of the Blue Drill Hall who is a poet and actor, musician and painter.

Chains on sink plugs is his first solo show.

Chains on sink plugs is a personal journey explore what it like being in a wheelchair from the 1970s to 21st century. What it’s like being on wheels instead of legs. And gives people a glimpse of a world many don’t know exists.

#artcore radio plays
DEAD ENDS
Fri 12th – Fri 19th August

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“DEAD ENDS” is a new radio drama serial created for and performed by 18-25 year olds, which is launching as part of this year’s Forest Fringe based at the Out of the Blue Drill Hall.  It features a realistic story about a group of young people who work in a fictitious historical/ghost tour company in Edinburgh. They are poorly trained, badly paid. Some of them care about their work and others do not . . .

The current series consists of eight episodes, released at midnight each day of the run.

To find out more, to listen to the latest episode, or to subscribe to the podcast via iTunes once it goes live on Friday 12th August, visit; www.deadendtours.co.uk

“DEAD ENDS” is produced by Strange Town for #artcore

The youth arts project, #artcore is based at Out of the Blue, and is one of nine youth arts hubs in Scotland, funded by Creative Scotland’s Time to Shine Fund

www.artcore.org.uk   www.strangetown.org.uk

Listing Information

All performances are at the Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 36 Dalmeny Street, Edinburgh, EH6 8RG

Performance dates and times

Forest Fringe: Thu 11th – Sat 20th Aug
Tales from the Hanging Captain: Sat 13th & Sun 14th August, 1pm
Chains on sink plugs: Thu 18 & Fri 19th August, 12pm
#artcore radio plays DEAD ENDS: Fri 12th – Fri 19th August

Tickets

All tickets are free by donation
To book tickets, please visit http://www.outoftheblue.org.uk/category/forest-fringe/

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Two face court following ‘significant’ drugs haul

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A ‘significant amount’ of Class A and B drugs have been recovered in Leith following an intelligence led operation.

Officers from the Edinburgh division proactive unit executed separate warrants on Thursday at addresses in Great Junction Street and Pilrig Heights. A subsequent search resulted in the seizure of a substantial amount of cocaine, heroin and cannabis worth an estimated street value of £66,500. Continue reading Two face court following ‘significant’ drugs haul

More burials discovered in Leith playground

Forensic archaeologist Megan Stoakley with P1 Amelia Soffe and P6 Louise Doyle

Further evidence of human remains thought to date back to the 17th Century or even earlier have been unearthed by archaeologists in a Leith school playground.

The outlines of at least nine coffins have been identified in the grounds of St Mary’s Primary School in Leith as part of an excavation by Morrison Construction in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council.

The findings follow the discovery on an individual skeleton over the Easter break while investigative works took place for a new classroom building.

Councillor Richard Lewis, Culture Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “The new information coming from the site is proving to be even more significant than previously thought.

“The school community has been very interested in the excavation and the findings. The children have been eager to learn about the new discoveries and as the excavation continues, we’ll find out more about the former inhabitants of Leith.”

John Lawson, City of Edinburgh Council Archaeologist, added: “Leith and the surrounding area has a rich archaeological history. These excavations have unearthed what appears to be a complex cemetery thought to date from the 15th to the 17th centuries, containing at least nine graves including adults and young children buried in coffins.

“The discoveries of these burials in this location, although always a possibility, is nevertheless a surprise. Further excavations will reveal more evidence which will allow us to accurately date these burials and how they relate to the history of Leith.”

The area containing the remains has been fenced off but the school remains open. The new classrooms will still be built but will no longer open in time for the new school term due to further necessary archaeological analysis, expected to last until the end of June. All existing and new pupils will be accommodated.

Healthy Respect: Junction patron Irvine Welsh drops in

“It’s an honour for me to be able to support this organisation and indeed this community, both of whom I admire.” – Irvine Welsh

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The Junction – Young People, Health & Well-being is a Leith based charity offering support to young people living in North East Edinburgh. Irvine Welsh was born in Leith and grew up in North East Edinburgh which gives him an understanding of the challenges these young people may face. Continue reading Healthy Respect: Junction patron Irvine Welsh drops in