Tuesday 25 June 2013

Recent Articles


In these interactive pieces, the key is to find a clear mechanism that allows the conversation to happen. When we’re making work we’re looking for the right frame, or form, to best explore the ideas that we’re interested in. The form that adds something, that articulates something that another form wouldn’t. In this case one that allows sharing. That is sharing.
I have a new article in the "artists' pages" strand in the latest edition of Performance Research: On Value, edited by Joslin McKinney & Mick Wallis. The whole issue is a response to the PSi#18 Conference that they ran last year, and they invited me to submit a wider response to the Inspiration Exchange that I ran as part of it.

In a great innovation, there are a limited number of free downloads of it available, so if you'd like to read it, click here:
Inspiration Exchange: The value of sitting opposite.
[update, 28 June 2013: All the free downloads have been used up. You can access it through your library, if they subscribe. Or get in touch with us.]

And on the subject of journals, there's a lovely piece about Cape Wrath, Class of '76, and other 'digitally augmented' autobiographical projects, in a recent edition of the Journal of Media Practice. Now, where was I? is by Jocelyn Spence, Stuart Andrews and David M. Frohlich. You can download it here, for a fee; or if you're at a University, your library may have an account that allows you to access it for free:
Now, where was I?

It's fascinating for me to read such a detailed response to relatively early incarnations of Cape Wrath, and how themes that are really important in the piece for me were so strongly readable in these early, highly instinctive presentations. More about Cape Wrath soon, no doubt.

Tuesday 11 June 2013

Third Angel and friends at the Edinburgh Fringe & Forest Fringe

So the Edinburgh Fringe brochure is out, and tickets are on sale. We're showing more work in Edinburgh than ever before, including opening a new show for the first time. Nearly all of this is being presented with Northern Stage at St Stephens (and is part of their DaySaver scheme - well worth checking out, because the whole programme is brilliant.)

The full schedule of Third Angel, and Third Angel artists', shows looks like this:

Third Angel presents
CAPE WRATH
An epic journey in a stationary minibus.
Written and Performed by Alexander Kelly
Directed by Rachael Walton
9 – 24 August 2013 (not 12 or 19)
14:00 and 15:30 (1 hour)
£11/£8
Northern Stage at St Stephen’s
Venue 73
, Box office: 0131 558 3047


“After he retired, my Granddad went on a trip from the Midlands up to Cape Wrath, the most north-westerly point of his native Scotland. He sat, looked at the sea, and thought about his life. Then he got up and went home. Over 20 years later, I got on a coach and followed in his footsteps. This is what I learned.”

Join 14 other passengers for a story of family, of fellow travellers, of whisky and chocolate, of the longest bus route in Britain. Heartfelt, moving, compellingly intimate, Cape Wrath takes you on a journey to the edge of the island, and wonders what we think about when we think about our lives.


Hannah Nicklin
A CONVERSATION WITH MY FATHER
made in collaboration with Alexander Kelly
Mentored & supported by Third Angel
14 – 24 August 2013 (not 20)
20:00 (65 mins)
£11/£8
Northern Stage at St Stephen’s
Venue 73
, Box office: 0131 558 3047


This is a story about them. This is a story about us. This is a story about my dad - a retired policeman - and me, a protestor. Its about fear, bravery, what it feels like to be kettled, Super Ted, the Lone Ranger, policing the people in front of you and being sent out of class. It's about working out what matters and standing up to protect it. It's about me, and my dad. 


"It’s gentle, it’s inclusive, it’s quietly but persuasively angry and political in perhaps the least alienating way possible." Exeunt Magazine


Northern Stage & Friends
THE BLOODY GREAT BORDER BALLAD PROJECT
Curated by Lorne Campbell
3 – 24 August 2013 (not 6, 13 or 20)
22:00 (75 min)
£11/£8
Northern Stage at St Stephen’s
Venue 73
, Box office: 0131 558 3047


We'll be presenting a (slightly shortened) version of our new spoken word piece, 600 People, as part of this great project. Part protest, part prophesy, part poetry, part party. Writers, performers, balladeers and special guests from North and South of the border create an epic new ballad written with and for the audience, every night of the Fringe.

Alongside a series of newly commissioned "ballads" from Third Angel artists Lucy Ellinson, Alex Kelly and Chris Thorpe, plus brilliant people Kieran Hurley, Cora Bissett and Daniel Bye, a glittering array of guest artists will join our resident balladeers and the audience to source, form, hone and perform a mighty new ballad for our times. We'll try to be greater than the sum of our parts. 


Third Angel & mala voadora present
WHAT I HEARD ABOUT THE WORLD
A co-production with Sheffield Theatres and Teatro Maria Matos
In association with Worldmapper.org.
20 – 24 August 2013 
09:30 (70 mins)
£12/£8
Northern Stage at St Stephen’s
Venue 73
, Box office: 0131 558 3047


Yes, that's 9.30am. Theatre for breakfast! Free pastries! 

A theatre piece with two songs; one original, one karaoke... As the world seems to get bigger our understanding of it gets less reliable. How on earth can you know all the places you've been, let alone the places you haven't? 

Devised and performed by Jorge Andrade, Alexander Kelly and Chris Thorpe, What I Heard About The World is a bold, ridiculous, heart-breaking attempt to hold an accurate picture of the whole world in your head. A place with only five official haircuts for men. A place where you confess your sins to voicemail. A place where a radio station only broadcasts silence.

Returning to St Stephen's as part of the 2013 British Council Showcase.

"Gorgeous...makes you think about the world, makes you laugh about the world, makes you glad to be part of the world in all it's madness." Totaltheatre.org 


Northern Stage & Forest Fringe
MAKE. DO. AND MEND.
19 August, 10:30 - 16:30

We'll be contributing a new piece of work to this brilliantly timely event, jointly hosted by Northern Stage and Forest Fringe:

"You are invited to a day of action. A gathering of the many kinds of people that make up the Fringe’s remarkable community, not to talk, but to act.

With the help of some inspirational and provocative contributors, we will spend the day imagining and implementing real solutions to problems you suggest. Our attempt to change theatre (and perhaps the world) for the better – in one day.

Beginning at St Stephen’s and concluding at Forest Fringe, with a collective jaunt between venues – including a new work created by Third Angel especially for the event."


And as if that is not enough... Third Angel artists Chris Thorpe and Lucy Ellinson are both opening new shows in the Edinburgh festivals, too:

Chris Thorpe and Hannah Jane Walker present
I WISH I WAS LONELY
12.15 (1hr 30)
16 - 25 August
Naturally the whole Forest Fringe line-up is brilliant, check out the details here.

The Gate presents
by George Brant
Performed by Lucy Ellinson
Traverse Theatre 1-25 Aug, times vary.

So we'll be pretty busy up in Edinburgh in August. Do come and see us if you're there.