For many of us, Girl Guides provided a sense of community amongst women. A charitable group providing opportunities to develop life skills and meeting friends from various walks of life, the influential group has helped to instil a sense of pride and worth to many. Continuing on from the topic of a sense of unity amongst women, the bonds between grandmothers, mothers and daughters are perhaps our introduction to future networks formed. An unconditional bond, these shape our interactions throughout life. Exploring these connections in her play Do Our Best, Remy Beasley tells us more about her personal reasons for creating the play, her creative process and how the whole experience has been cathartic for her to explore.

Addressing the lack of culturally diverse stories depicted on stage, Steven Kavuma’s ‘This is Black’ Festival gives voice to four new pieces of writing, offering a platform to varied perspectives of the black experience within the UK. Taking part in the inaugural new writing event, playwrights Chantelle Alle and Melissa Saint present ‘PYNEAPPLE’, a show exploring the stereotypes that young black women face within society. Ahead of the show, both Chantelle and Melissa tell us why they’ve explored this important topic, they’re creative process and what they’d like for audiences to take away from the show!

Addressing the lack of culturally diverse stories depicted on stage, Steven Kavuma’s ‘This is Black’ Festival gives voice to four new pieces of writing, offering a platform to varied perspectives of the black experience within the UK. Taking part in the inaugural new writing event, playwright Macadie Amoroso presents ‘Blue Beneath My Skin’, a show exploring the protagonist’s struggle with her mixed raced identity, and the struggles many of us face also. Ahead of the show, Macadie tells us more about taking part in Steven Kavuma’s debut festival, her creative process and what she’s learned from creating the show.

Addressing the lack of culturally diverse stories depicted on stage, Steven Kavuma’s ‘This is Black’ Festival gives voice to four new pieces of writing, offering a platform to varied perspectives of the black experience within the UK. Taking part in the inaugural new writing event, playwright Abraham Adeyemi presents ‘All the Shit I Can’t Say to My Dad’, a show exploring a strained parent relationship, differences of faith and absent fatherhood. Capturing the complexity of  parenthood and family relationships, Abraham tells us more about why he’s chosen to explore this topic, his writing process, and offers his advice to aspiring theatre makers!

Addressing the lack of culturally diverse stories depicted on stage, Steven Kavuma’s ‘This is Black’ Festival gives voice to four new pieces of writing, offering a platform to varied perspectives of the black experience within the UK. Taking part in the inaugural new writing event, playwright Ronkẹ Adékoluẹjo presents ‘Teleportation’, a show exploring polar opposites and the connections that bind us together. Currently showing at The Bunker Theatre, Ronkẹ tells us more about her creative process and taking part in this crucial initiative.

Writer Tim Cowbury and Director Mark Maughan’s The Claim observes the process of a migrant seeking asylum, a topic we assume although we hear lots about, we know about; yet many of us couldn’t begin to even imagine the pressure of awaiting our fates by a nation completely new to us. The time we live in is incredibly divisive, immigration a top talking point in many a debate, and a talking point that will remain for years to come, due to its complexity. Drawing from a 2 year research process, exploring this topic in  further detail, Tim and Mark discuss their timely production, currently showing at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

What do you immediately think of, when you think of the term ‘witch’? Archaic? Witch hunts? Trials? Potions? The list is endless, however evokes a certain feeling of fear and destruction. Defined as ‘A woman thought to have magic powers, especially evil ones, popularly depicted as wearing a black cloak and pointed hat and flying on a broomstick’ (Oxford Dictionary) this very labelling of women throughout history within societies has accumulated an atmosphere of fearing those who perhaps do not conform to the gender roles established by patriarchal communities, and has witnessed the creation of damaging divides. Addressing this troublesome societal issue throughout the ages, theatre company Incognito present The Burning – an exploration of gender non conformity within the patriarchal construct. Ahead of their performances at the Pleasance Courtyard, Edinburgh, Director Roberta Zuric tells us more about the show. 

It was recently reported that ‘centuries of domestication have radically reshaped dog’s eyebrow anatomy, making their faces easily readable to people (National Geographic)’. Honeyguide birds in Mozambique have been found to understand humans, guiding hunters looking for bees’ nests only after they’ve heard a certain trolling sound from them. There’s a long way to go in terms of fully understanding the communication signals/patterns of numerous species, but what’s exciting is that we’re beginning to witness how, if discovered, humans and animals can love side by side and work together without miscommunication or danger. Performer and Theatre Maker Pete Lannon explores ideas of human/animal love and communication in SUPERFAN’s production of Like Animals. Showing as part of this year’s Edinburg Festival Fringe at Summerhall throughout August, read on to find out more about the show.

E–commerce purchasing has significantly disrupted our shopping habits, many of the high-street giants turning to the web to reach audiences they perhaps wouldn’t be able to due to location. The rise is a sign of our times, and shows no signs of slowing down. Amazon, perhaps the world’s most famous and wealthiest e-commerce site has rivalled its competitors due to the variety in products it offers, it’s easy to use site and its infamous ‘prime’ delivery option, whereby customers can receive their goods the following day. But what goes into this seamless monetary exchange? How can, compared to any other retail business, can Amazon provide this service? Kezia Cole and Richard Hay’s Fulfilment delves into the real experiences of those who work behind the scenes in Amazon Fulfilment Centres, giving a voice to the hard workers behind the multi-billion dollar business who present a harsh reality. Fulfilment shows throughout August at Undrbelly Cowgate as part of this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe Festival. Read on to find out more about the show!