Tag: theatre

Dogstar Theatre Online: Factor 9

Factor 9 by Hamish MacDonald

from the testimonies of Bruce Norval and Robert Mackie

Online release date: Wednesday July 15, 2020

The UK Government’s Infected Blood Inquiry began public hearings in April 2019, five years after Dogstar opened Factor 9, Hamish MacDonald’s play about the scandal, as part of the Umeå 2014 European Capital of Culture in Sweden. 

The Inquiry continues and Factor 9 remains as relevant now as when it opened.  Indeed, some of those at the heart of the 35-year campaign for justice cite Factor 9 as a significant influencer towards the granting of the public inquiry. 

Dogstar Theatre Online will release our production with Vimeo on Demand on Wednesday July 15, adding to our current online offer The Tailor of Inverness and Brian Ross and Hopscotch Films’ outstanding documentary Circling A Fox.

The infected blood scandal is now recognised as the greatest healthcare disaster in the history of the NHS.  Factor 9 has been seen by health ministers and other leading politicians in both the Scottish and Westminster governments, and by all leading members of the inquiry, including its chairman, Sir Brian Langstaff.

There is an uncounted legion of victims across the world.  Official figures in the UK cite around 5,000 people who were infected with HIV and Hepatitis through the administration of contaminated blood products during the 1970s and 80s. 

Half of this number are now dead as a result and new deaths occur every month.  There are no figures for the infection of spouses, children, and other relatives.

The multi-media performance tells the true story of two Scottish haemophiliacs, Bruce Norval from Inverness and Rab Mackie from the Scottish Borders, and how their lives were devastated from an early age by NHS-prescribed blood clotting products.

With tremendous performances by Matthew Zajac (Bruce) and Stewart Porter (Rab), Factor 9confronts how society can react towards its most vulnerable in the moment of a pandemic – and what can happen in the name of medical research.

In the enclosed world of the abandoned ward, a decades-long struggle with government and health authorities for recognition and truth unfolds, taking an uncompromising journey from the 1940s Nazi military-industrial complex to the 1960s Arkansas prison system via the 1980s AIDS crisis to the haemophilia clinics of Scotland, asking, how could this happen?

Director Ben Harrison said “When Hamish and Matthew approached me with the subject, I saw a great opportunity to uncover theatrically a great scandal.

“We hoped to achieve a similar balance between the visually compelling and the emotionally powerful that Matthew and I achieved with The Tailor of Inverness. The betrayal of the principle of care that lies at the heart of the story will I am sure both touch and anger audiences.” 

Composer/sound designer Pippa Murphy, set and costumes Emily James, lighting Paul Claydon

The 2014 production was supported by Creative Scotland and produced in association with leading Swedish theatre company Profilteatern and Umea 2014 European Capital of Culture.

www.vimeo.com/ondemand/factor9

www.dogstartheatre.co.uk  www.taintedblood.info

Running time: 84 minutes

The production contains strong language. Age suitability 14+

I Think We Are Alone

King’s Theatre, 18 – 22 February

I Think We Are Alone is a funny yet bittersweet tale, written by Sally Abbott (Vera, The Coroner), about the human ache to connect, and the letting go and holding on to what we love the most.

This new play stars Chizzy Akudolu (Edmond De Bergerac, Holby City), alongside Charlotte Bate (On The Other Hand We’re Happy), Caleb Roberts (She Ventures and He Wins), Simone Saunders (Jane Eyre), Andrew Turner (Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald; Coronation Street), and Polly Frame who recently headed up the cast of the critically-acclaimed Solaris which played at the Edinburgh Lyceum, and is a Frantic Assembly veteran having joined them on their last outing with Sometimes Thinking that played last year’s Latitude.

Co-directed by Artistic Director Scott Graham and Kathy Burke, I Think We Are Alone is the centrepiece in a year’s worth of activity to celebrate Frantic Assembly’s 25th anniversary and will be touring the length and breath of the UK throughout Spring 2020. You can catch it at the King’s Theatre this week.

 

 

Pride Plays return to put spotlight on LGBT writers

Following last years success, the Pride Plays is Scotland’s first ever LGBTQI+ playwright festival. 

As part of LGBT History Month Scotland, Pride Plays are back and continuing to give the stage to voices of a community who still feel under represented in Scottish theatre.

There will be 2 evenings, with 2 different plays per night, by originally written plays by LGBTI+ writers in Scotland. Each evening will be followed by a post-show discussion led by the director, playwright and public figure.

The plays will be performed as part of the LGBT History Month Scotland on the 14th and 15th February 2020 at, and in association with, Scotland’s leading new writing theatre, the Traverse Theatre.

Last year’s festival was the first venture of Shift, a theatre company born out of a desire to provoke action. Shift, founded by theatre makers Sarah Masson and Connel Burnett, challenges outdated social and political inequalities – fusing theatre with activism.

Pride Plays are giving people who identify as LGBTI+ a platform for their voices to be heard in Scottish theatre. The festival is also seeking to grow the body of work by those in the LGBTI+ community in Scotland and challenge the programmers to address the underrepresentation of LGBT+ voices.

Co-Artistic Director of Shift, Sarah Masson, said: “We were quite taken aback by the success of last year. When you are starting something from scratch, you never know how it will be received.

“The success of last year made it clear that there is an appetite for this work – from the impassioned conversations in the bar afterwards to the opportunities that the writers secured afterwards.”

Co-Artist Director of Shift, Connel Burnett, said: “Whilst LGBTQIA+ writers continue to be underrepresented on our stages, Pride Plays will continue. Now more than ever, the importance of representation is crucial and there is still a lot of work to be done.

“LGBTQIA+ rights are being threatened and theatre can play a crucial role in allowing their voices to be heard.”

I Think We Are Alone at King’s Theatre

Frantic Assembly (movement directors for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time) present I Think We Are Alone, a major new play by Sally Abbott (The Coroner, Vera), co-directed by Kathy Burke (Lady Windermere’s Fan, The Retreat) and Scott Graham (Fatherland, Things I Know to be True).

Two sisters are estranged and bicker over text. Their brittle and aggressive language is pushing them further apart when what they really want is to meet, clear the air and talk about the events that happened when they were young girls and haunt them still.

Josie is not allowing grief to get in the way. All of her focus is on what is best for her son, Manny. She desperately wants him to fly but can she let him go?

There is a person shaped hole in Graham’s heart and it is driving him to some dark places. When a stranger returns an act of kindness both find themselves opening up and connecting in a way that might just bring a bit of light in.

I Think We Are Alone is a bittersweet and funny take on our ache to connect with those voices we need to hear again, those arms we need to feel around us and those faces we need to see again. It is about letting go and holding on to what we love the most.

Kings Theatre, Edinburgh from 18 – 22 February.

 

Creative projects across Scotland share in over £927,000 of National Lottery funding

A GOVANHILL-based community space dedicated to DIY publishing, a community theatre project telling the stories of daily life in coastal communities, and the 38th edition of New Writing Scotland are among the 41 awards made in the latest round of National Lottery funding through Creative Scotland’s Open Project Fund. Continue reading Creative projects across Scotland share in over £927,000 of National Lottery funding

Free Multicultural Festival coming to North Edinburgh

Edinburgh Multicultural Festival

4 – 6th October 2019

Music, dance, storytelling, films and audio visual celebration of Edinburgh’s multicultural communities (the newest event on Edinburgh’s festival calendar)

African Connections CIC (an Edinburgh-based community interest company promoting diversity through performing arts) is delighted to announce the very first Edinburgh Multicultural Festival, on 4-6 October 2019.

Website www.edinburghmulticulturalfestival.co.uk   (www.edmcf.co.uk)   

The festival programme features a bright array of Edinburgh’s diverse talent with spoken word, poetry, music, dance and visual arts created by African, Asian and Eastern European artists living in the capital.

The festival will also present two international acts: albino Malawian singer and canjo player Lazarus, and Sowhereto Africa, a South African dance and music show promoting street talent from the township of Soweto (previously performed at Edinburgh’s Dance Base and the Studio).

A poetry and storytelling programme (on Friday afternoon) will be curated by Nadine Aisha Jassat, with storytellers Fong Liu and Daiva Ivanauskaitė, while the weekend will feature musicians including Samba Sene & Diwan (Sengalese Mbalax/Afrobeat/ska fusion), rappers Billy Got Waves & Joell, Moroccan grooves from Omar Afif & Gnawa Trance Fusion and Bollywood//Indian classical music from Swaryatra; the dance programme on Saturday includes Scotland’s leading Indian dance group Dance Ihayami, a range of African dances from Sankofa Beats, plus Olga Kay, Iraya Noble, Pirita Tuisku, and many more.

There will also be a specially curated short films programme and a specially created installation by Polish audio visual artist Robert Motyka, inspired by diverse cultures and identities.

The events will take place across two venues in north Edinburgh – creative writing, poetry and storytelling at Drumbrae Library and Community Hub (4th October only), with the main programme taking place at Edinburgh College, Granton Campus (5 & 6 October), in the open café space (unticketed) and the PASS Theatre.

There will be opportunities for audiences to mix with performers and community organisations, to share their experiences and find out more about how to be involved in cross-community activities.

All events are free to attend, and all age groups are welcome.

Edinburgh Multicultural Festival director, Morgan Njobo, said: “With this programme we would like to celebrate Edinburgh’s diverse multicultural talent and its contribution to the cultural life of the city.

“As a South African artist living in Edinburgh, I feel privileged to be able to present an eclectic programme that aims to engage local communities and increase access to arts and entertainment in the north of Edinburgh.

“We are collaborating with artists whose work is influenced by African, Asian and Eastern European cultures and we wish for all Edinburgh residents engage with our diverse performing arts and visual arts scene and enjoy the benefits of diversity brought by the artists involved.”

It is hoped that Edinburgh Multicultural Festival 2019 will be the first of many, growing over the years, contributing to promoting tolerance and inclusivity across Edinburgh and beyond.

Edinburgh Multicultural Festival is delivered in partnership with Edinburgh College, PASS Theatre and Drumbrae Library and Community Hub and supported by City of Edinburgh Council. 

LISTINGS

Fri 4 Oct 2 – 5pm        Drumbrae Library and Community Hub, 81 Drum Brae Dr, Edinburgh EH4 7FE

                                     Storytelling, poetry and creative writing

Sat 5 Oct Noon-5pm   Edinburgh College Granton Campus, 350 W Granton Rd, Edinburgh EH5 1QE

(Doors 11am)                DANCE inc Dance Ihayami, Sowhereto, Sankofa Beats

Sun 6 Oct Noon-5pm  Edinburgh College Granton Campus, 350 W Granton Rd, Edinburgh EH5 1QE

(Doors 11am)                MUSIC inc Lazarus, Samba Sene & Diwan, Omar Afif & Gnawa Trance Fusion

All events are free, and tickets can be reserved in advance via Eventbrite

Rouse Ye Women! New Townsend Theatre production coming to North Edinburgh Arts

New Townsend Theatre production coming to North Edinburgh Arts

Townsend Theatre Productions is delighted to announce the world premiere of its new show “Rouse, Ye Women!” Continue reading Rouse Ye Women! New Townsend Theatre production coming to North Edinburgh Arts