Our life experiences shape who we are and how we observe and connect with the world, stories of womanhood evermore important to share and to continue conversations about. Exploring the experiences of seven women in their latest show GIRLS, The PappyShow return with an inter-generational cast, spanning the ages of 17 to 70, to bravely highlight their own stories via movement, dance and song. Ahead of the show playing at the New Diorama Theatre, Director and Associate Artist of The PappyShow Josie Daxter tells us more about what to expect!
We all have our own definitions of what faith means to us, driven by our own set of ideas and beliefs, whether religious or non-religious, faith is what powers each and every day. Exploring this complex notion further, the Royal Shakespeare Company in collaboration with the Coventry City of Culture Trust present Faith, a two day inter-faith event, from the 10th to the 11th September consisting of music, theatre, art installations, rituals, discussion and dialogue. A feature of the event, writer Chris O’Connell will debut two plays taking part – The Messenger and The Return. Chris tells us more about exploring the show’s narratives further, the creative process and what it means to be a part of this event celebrating Coventry’s rich inter-faith heritage.
Having created a platform for performance artists – offering ‘space, time, community, critical feedback, free financial access to events and other resources’, ]performance s p a c e [ have been integral to the journeys of many who’s work may have been ‘locked out, in-between and seen as being too experimental’. Born out of the Occupy movement of 2011, a decade on, the venue celebrate their continued and vital support within the arts industry, showcasing the work of Alastair MacLennan, Anne Bean, Chinasa Vivian Ezugha, Elvira Santamaría-Torres, Joseph Morgan Schofield, Martin O’Brien, Rubiane Maia, Poppy Jackson and selina bonelli with a 10 hour durational performance on Saturday 21st August. Ahead of the show, taking place at the Ugly Duck, co-founder and director of ]performance s p a c e [ Benjamin Sebastian tells us more about the artists taking part in the event, what it means to continue providing this much needed space for artists and their hopes for the event.
An important time for highlighting the stories of the often underrepresented, as the industry emerges post pandemic, we’re witnessing more of these take to our stages. Debuting at the 2019 Edinburgh Festival Fringe to sold out audiences, Tokyo Rose tells the real-life story of American radio broadcaster Iva Ikuko Toguri D’Aquino, the show’s title, the nickname given to female broadcasters believed to have been spreading propaganda to the Allied Forces during WWII – of which Iva was wrongly accused. Two years after the show’s initial run, Tokyo Rose returns, starting off at the MAST Mayflower Studios before going on tour. Co-written by Maryhee Yoon and Cara Baldwin, the pair have re-worked the show into a two act, full length format. Ahead of tour, co-writer Maryhee tells us more about what inspired the team to explore the narrative further, how she’s worked with Cara to realise the show and what she’s taken away from the process.
With an increased emphasis on the natural world around us, on a local as well as global level, we’re at a crucial point in time in terms of conversations had about climate change, questioning how best to look after our home. Observing the beauty of his hometown Kilnsea, situated in East Yorkshire, writer Tom Wells explores his locality and its vulnerabilities, recognising a need for better care in Big Big Sky. Currently showing at the Hampstead Theatre, Tom tells us more about what to expect.
Recognising the need for honest stories placing the experiences of the queer community navigating the dating scene centre stage, writer and performer Benjamin Salmon presents Blowhole, an exploration of connection and community in the modern age of serial dating, a story about ‘Him’, a single, sexless, grief stricken gay man in London. Ahead of his show, taking place at the end of August at the Pleasance Theatre, Benjamin tells us more about the importance of creating these stories, collaborating with director Tom Wright and what he’s learned from creating the show
Hi Benjamin, your show Blowhole will play at the Pleasance from late August. How are you feeling ahead of the show?
Sound has the power to shift mood, heal and evoke memory, soundtracks shaping many of our lives. Presenting an autobiographical one man show incorporating this element, as well as fusing projection and photography, theatre maker Victor Esses presents Where to Belong, an exploration of how to find your place within a rich and complex world of identity – as a Jewish-Lebanese Brazilian gay man, Where to Belong marks the journey to find home. Ahead of the show’s tour, starting at the Oxford Playhouse from the 7th September, Victor tells us more about how he’s found the process of creating this autobiographical work, what it means to him to be able to stage the piece and what audiences can expect.
Hi Victor, you’ll be touring Where to Belong from September. How are you feeling ahead of the tour?
Courtesy of Foteini Christofilopoulou.
Seeking inspiration from the ancient Egyptian tale Sinuhe the Warrior King, celebrated writer and poet Ben Okri OBE presents Changing Destiny, an adaptation of the 4,000 year old poem. Having helped shape the show’s movement element and aesthetic, movement director Rachael Nanyonjo, whose credits include the National Theatre, BBC, Sky Arts amongst others, tells us more about what drew her to take part in the production, how she’s approached creating the show’s choreography and what she’s taken away from the process.
Hi Rachael, Ben Okri’s Changing Destiny will be showing at the Young Vic from late July. How are you feeling ahead of the run?
We have all, as a team, been working really hard to bring this story to life. Making work coming out of the pandemic is not an easy thing, however, it has allowed us to examine our practices and processes in order to work more productively. I am feeling very excited for audiences to experience what I believe is a really innovative production and piece of storytelling.
Established in 2018, the Artistic Directors of the Future Board Shadowing Programme has offered a mixed programme of induction sessions, support, shadowing time, meet and greets, governance training, networking and evaluations for their alumni, continuing on with their mission to create opportunities for Black, Asian and Ethnically diverse creatives at an influential level. Taking part in this year’s programme, which will run from October 2021 – November 2022, Artistic Directors of the Future’s Training & Programme Producer Sandra Thompson-Quartey tells more about the programme’s importance, taking part as well as helping to organise and shape the initiative.
During the first two weeks of November this year, over 190 world leaders will arrive in Scotland for the COP26 climate summit with the objective of tackling climate change. Leading up to the event, various organisations have organised initiatives in response to the urgent topic. Responding with their #CreateCOP26 initiative inviting creatives from across the world to submit work highlighting the impact of climate change, Art Partner – an online multi-disciplinary art resource will award 8 finalists cash prizes with 20 receiving honourable mentions and a feature in their virtual exhibition. Ahead of the summit, Art Partner President Amber Testino tells us more about her hopes for the initiative and receiving support from UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Hi Amber, Art Partner have recently launched #CreateCOP26, an initiative inviting artists and creatives to create work responding to the urgent need for climate action. How are you feeling?
