The Tin Forest Theatre Festival Featuring Fanfiction Comedy
Massive Company and FanFiction Comedy are among ten youth theatre groups from around the Commonwealth which have been selected to participate in the National Theatre of Scotland’s most ambitious project to date, The Tin Forest.
Both groups will travel to Glasgow this month and perform at locations across Glasgow including the iconic South Rotunda which has been newly transformed for the festival.
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Media Release
The National Theatre of
Scotland, in association with Scottish Youth Theatre,
presents,
THE TIN FOREST
INTERNATIONAL THEATRE FESTIVAL FEATURING AUCKLAND BASED
THEATRE COMPANY, FANFICTION
COMEDY
TICKETS NOW ON
SALE
FOR GAMES-TIME PROGRAMME OF
EVENTS
Tickets now available for
International Theatre Festival
performances
Created by young people
from across the
Commonwealth
Performances in July 2014
at the South Rotunda, Glasgow
Part of
the Festival 2014 Programme
Produced in association with Scottish Youth Theatre and supported by Glasgow Life, Creative Scotland, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Homecoming Scotland and Arts & Business Scotland.
Tickets are now on sale for one of the National Theatre of Scotland’s largest international youth projects to date, The Tin Forest International Theatre Festival. The youth theatre festival will see ten established youth theatre companies from around the Commonwealth come together for a seven day festival created by international young theatre-makers, as part of the Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme and Auckland basedFanFiction Comedy has been selected to be part of this incredible project.
FanFiction Comedy, under the direction of Heidi O’Loughlin, provides a combination of stand-up comedy, improvisation and spoken word all rolled into one. The brightest young stars of the New Zealand comedy scene tackle the popular internet phenomenon of 'fanfiction', by writing and performing their very own irreverent and original stories based on their favourite works of popular culture. The group has already had great success at the New Zealand International Comedy Festival, Melbourne International Comedy Festival and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, as well as being featured in a BBC documentary called Mum, I'm Off to Melbourne for a Laugh. The group, which features young theatre makers aged between 23-25 years old, will perform their specially devised piece, FanFiction Comedy, inspired by the concept of “near nowhere…to somewhere” from The Tin Forest story, on Monday 28th July at Glasgow’s South Rotunda.
All of the groups involved in the project will create and perform a piece in their home country before presenting it to audiences in Glasgow from Thursday 24th to Monday 28th July at the South Rotunda. They will also take part in a residential theatre course, working closely with established, professional theatre-makers, engaging in cultural exchange and building on their existing skills and knowledge.
The youth theatre companies participating in The Tin Forest International Theatre Festival are: Manifesto Jamaica from Kingston, Jamaica;Hotel Echo from Bristol, England; theatrEX Bangladesh from Dhaka, Bangladesh; Teatru Manoel Youth Theatre from Malta; YUVA EKTA:Youth Unite from New Delhi, India. The Scottish companies are Urban Fairytale Theatre Company from Glasgow; Collision Youth Theatre from Buckhaven, Fife; APA Youth Theatre from Aberdeen and Physical Theatre Scotland from Edinburgh.
As well as the International Theatre Festival, a specially commissioned Tin Forest International Performing Company - an ensemble of 90 young theatre makers drawn from the 71 nations and territories of the Commonwealth – will flood the city with site-responsive theatre, responding to the themes of The Tin Forest and a selection of iconic Glasgow locations. Directed by Scottish Youth Theatre Associate Artistic Director Fraser MacLeod, they will perform on the city’s streets, bridges and public transport, and in parks, “stalled spaces” and public places from 21st – 23rd July. The locations for the International Performing Company performances include Barrowland Park, the Waterbus Terminal, Tradeston footbridge,Custom House Quay, Riverside Museum and a final performance involving all 90 theatre makers will be held in the courtyard of the South Rotunda.
Performance highlights from The Tin Forest International Theatre Festival and The Tin Forest International Performing Company will be captured by TFTV (Tin Forest TV): a youth-created, youth- focussed broadcast channel/magazine programme and will provide an open access, all areas approach to filming the action behind the scenes and at the daily master classes.
The TFTV crew, which will feature students from the Creative Industries course at Glasgow Clyde College, will work with a lead producer and an assistant producer who will guide them through the process of creating a 4 minute package to be filmed, created, edited and broadcast online daily throughout the international youth festival and on screens at the venue during the evening International Theatre Festival performances.
The Tin Forest will breathe new life into the currently vacant South Rotunda building on the Clydeside. Built between 1890 and 1896 by the Glasgow Tunnel Company, the South and North Rotundas gave Glasgow commuters access to three passageways under the Clyde – two for horses and carts and one for pedestrians. As well as The Tin Forest International Theatre Festival and The Tin Forest International Performing Company performances, there will be a range of community events held across Glasgow, in Govan, Springburn, South West and East End, which will involve local communities who have been working together for the last six months to create site-specific theatre events. Also, from 24th July to 3rd August, within the walls of a transformed South Rotunda, National Theatre of Scotland Associate Director Graham McLaren will direct his own adapted version of The Tin Forest, teaming up with celebrated puppet maker Gavin Glover and Glasgow School of Art Digital Design Studio.
Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External
Affairs Fiona Hyslop says:
“The Tin Forest
Festival promises to be a great opportunity to experience an
exciting mixture of theatre, music, poetry and much more,
showcasing some of what Scotland has to offer. In the year
where Scotland takes centre stage, welcoming the world to
join us in the celebration of the second year of Homecoming,
and as the host of the Commonwealth Games and the Ryder Cup,
it is also a time for Scotland and the Commonwealth to reach
out and share our great cultural traditions as well as our
contemporary creativity.”
National Theatre
of Scotland Artistic Director Laurie Sansom
says:
“The National Theatre of Scotland is
delighted to announce such an exciting programme of events
for The Tin Forest Festival at the South Rotunda. We can’t
wait to welcome audiences from Glasgow, Scotland and all
over the world to such an iconic building for a celebration
of culture, regeneration and Glasgow itself, featuring
hundreds of performers from all over the
Commonwealth.”
The Tin Forest
director Graham McLaren says:
“This year
the world is watching Scotland, this summer the Commonwealth
comes to Glasgow and at the heart of Glasgow the National
Theatre of Scotland will be creating The Tin Forest in the
South Rotunda. I cannot think of a more important time to be
living and working in Scotland.”
Scottish
Youth Theatre Associate Artistic Director Fraser MacLeod
says:
“The Tin Forest is a fantastic
opportunity for Scottish Youth Theatre to work in
association with the National Theatre of Scotland. The
International Performing Company promises to showcase the
very best of talent from across the Commonwealth and bring
the city to life in the lead up to the
games.”
International Theatre Festival
producer Gillian Gourlay says:
“The Tin
Forest International Theatre Festival is a fantastic
opportunity, not only for the 100 young performers coming
from all over the Commonwealth to share skills, culture and
performances with each other , but also for the people of
Glasgow who will be able to experience ten new performances
created by these young, exciting theatre makers. For so many
reasons, 2014 will be a summer not to be
forgotten.”
A wide range of video, photographic and blog content documenting The Tin Forest project to date can be found atwww.thetinforest.com. Content available to share on request – contact Katie.mackenzie@nationaltheatrescotland.com for further info.
BOX OFFICE INFORMATION
All tickets for The Tin Forest events £5/£3 conc.
Available
online at www.thetinforest.com or on 0141 552
4267
No booking
fee
Exceptions are: The Tin Forest Govan and The Tin Forest International Performing Company, which are free, unticketed events.
Listings
information
THE TIN FOREST INTERNATIONAL
PERFORMING COMPANY
Monday 21st July | Tuesday 22nd July |
11.30am – 12.00pm (Hub
active from 11.00am) Barrowland Park The Forgotten &The Players | 11.30am
– 12.00pm (Hub active from 11.00am) Barrowland Park The Forgotten & The Travellers |
12.30pm – 1.00pm (Hub active
from 12.00pm) Waterbus Terminal The Workers & The Travellers | 12.30pm – 1.00pm (Hub
active from 12.00pm) Waterbus Terminal The Workers & The Forgotten |
1.30pm – 2.00pm (Hub active
from 1.00pm) Tradeston Footbridge The Dreamers & The Forgotten | 1.30pm – 2.00pm (Hub
active from 1.00pm) Tradeston Footbridge The Dreamers & The Workers |
2.30pm – 3.00pm (Hub active from
2.00pm) Custom House Quay The Players & The Workers | 2.30pm – 3.00pm (Hub active from
2.00pm) Custom House Quay The Players & The Dreamers |
4.00pm – 4.30pm (Hub
active from 3.30pm) Riverside Museum The Travellers & The Dreamers | 4.00pm – 4.30pm (Hub active from
3.30pm) Riverside Museum The Travellers & The Players |
Wednesday
23rd July
The South Rotunda, 2.30 –
3.15pm
THE TIN FOREST INTERNATIONAL THEATRE FESTIVAL
Venue:
The South Rotunda
Finnieston Street by the Squinty Bridge
(Clyde Arc)
G51 1PQ
Entrance:
Via doors either side of Box Office, on Govan Road side of
building
Duration: Each show
last approx. 45 minutes
Stage reset:
The auditorium will be cleared between performances each
night, to allow the stage to be reset for the next group
Date/Time: 24 – 28 July
2014
Daily, 7.30pm + 9.15pm
Seating:
Seating is unreserved
Tickets:
One show per evening: £5/ £3 (no booking fee)
Two shows
per evening: £8/ £6 (no booking fee)
Box office:
Online: thetinforest.com
Phone: 0141 552
4267
Accessibility: Event is
wheelchair accessible – please advise box office when
booking
BSL and Captioned performances:
Age guide:
Suggested age guide 16+
Public Transport:
Bus (23, 26); Rail (Exhibition Centre, 10min walk)
Car
Parking: None on site; nearest car
park at Finnieston Street (8min walk)
Toilets:
On site
Refreshments: Nearest
bars/restaurants – Congress Way / SECC Precinct (5min
walk)
Thursday 24th July
7.30pm – 8.30pm: Physical
Theatre Scotland from Edinburgh present A Bridge to
Nowhere
9.15pm – 10.15pm: theatrEX Bangladesh from
Dhaka, Bangladesh present Dokkhina Sundari
Friday
25th July
7.30pm – 8.30pm: YUVA EKTA: Youth Unite from
New Delhi, India present Shoonya se Shikar: a Journey of
Transformation
9.15pm – 10.15pm: Hotel Echo from
Bristol present Wild Men
Saturday 26th
July
7.30pm – 8.30pm: Aberdeen Performing Arts Youth
Theatre from Aberdeen present Bubble Wrap
9.15pm
– 10.15pm: Teatru Manoel Youth Theatre from Valletta,
Malta present CLUB
Sunday 27th July
7.30pm –
8.30pm: Collision from Buckhaven, Fife present Fragile
State of Mind
9.15pm – 10.15pm: Manifesto Jamaica
from Kingston, Jamaica present SomeNoWhere
Monday
28th July
7.30pm – 8.30pm: FanFiction Comedy from
Auckland, New Zealand present TBC
9.15pm – 10.15pm:
Urban Fairytale Theatre Company from Glasgow present
Hiraeth
THE TIN FOREST
SHOW:
A PUPPET THEATRE
EXPERIENCE
Venue:
The South Rotunda
Finnieston Street by the Squinty Bridge
(Clyde Arc)
G51 1PQ
Entrance:
Audience members to gather at Box Office on Govan Road side
of the South Rotunda
Duration:
30 minutes approx. (no interval)
Promenade
event: This is a promenade performance, requiring
audience members to walk through a series of spaces and to
stand; seating will be available for older/infirm audience
members unable to stand throughout the performance
Date/Time: Thursday 24 July –
Sunday 3 August 2014
Daily, 2.00pm – 6.00pm (except Tue
29 July)
Performances start every 10mins
Audience
Groups: Audience members will walk through the
performance in groups of 10;
Our front of house team will
do their best to ensure that you and your accompanying
friends/family members are kept together in the same
group.
Tickets: £5/ £3
(no booking fee)
Box office:
Online: thetinforest.com
Phone: 0141 552
4267
Accessibility: Event is
wheelchair accessible – please advise box office when
booking
BSL performances: Saturday 26th July, Friday 1st
August
Pre-recorded audio description available by
request online from Wednesday 23rd July, and from the venue
box office
Captioning: a booklet will be available at
box office on request
Age guide:
For everyone over 8 years old not afraid of enclosed spaces
and puppets in close proximity
Public Transport:
Bus (23, 26); Rail (Exhibition Centre, 10min walk)
Car
Parking: None on site; nearest car
park at Finnieston Street (8min walk)
Toilets:
On site
Refreshments: Nearest
bars/restaurants – Congress Way / SECC Precinct (5min
walk)
THE TIN FOREST LAUNCH EVENT
Venue: The
South Rotunda Courtyard
Finnieston Street by the Squinty
Bridge (Clyde Arc)
G51 1PQ
Entrance:
Via box office on Govan Road side of building
Duration: 90 minutes (no
interval)
Date/Time: Tuesday 22
July 2014, 7.30pm
Tickets:
£5/ £3 (no booking fee)
Box office:
Online: thetinforest.com
Phone: 0141 552
4267
Accessibility: Event is
wheelchair accessible – please advise box office when
booking
BSL: some aspects of performance will be BSL
interpreted
Age guide: Suitable
for all
Outdoor Event: Please dress accordingly. Sturdy
footwear advised for cobbled courtyard.
Public Transport:
Bus (23, 26); Rail (Exhibition Centre, 10min walk)
Car
Parking: None on site; nearest car
park at Finnieston Street (8min walk)
Toilets:
On site
Refreshments: Nearest
bars/restaurants – Congress Way / SECC Precinct (5min
walk)
DEAR GLASGOW
Venue:
The South Rotunda
Finnieston Street by the Squinty Bridge
(Clyde Arc)
G51 1PQ
Entrance:
Via doors either side of Box Office, on Govan Road side of
building
Duration: 3 hours,
with breaks
Audience Interaction: This is an
audience interactive event – we welcome your contribution,
but nobody will be compelled to contribute, nor
ejected/tarred/feathered for lack of contribution
Date/Time: Thursday 31st July
2014
7.30pm – 10.30pm
Seating:
Seating is unreserved
Tickets:
£3 (no booking fee)
Box office:
Online: thetinforest.com
Phone: 0141 552
4267
Accessibility: Event is
wheelchair accessible – please advise box office when
booking
Age guide: Suggested age
guide 12+
Public Transport: Bus (23, 26);
Rail (Exhibition Centre, 10min walk)
Car Parking:
None on site; nearest car park at Finnieston Street (8min
walk)
Toilets: On
site
Refreshments: Nearest
bars/restaurants – Congress Way / SECC Precinct (5min
walk)
Further information at:
www.thetinforest.com
www.nationaltheatrescotland.com
www.facebook.com/NationalTheatreScotland
www.twitter.com @NTSonline
#TinForest
Notes to
editors:
• Since its launch in
February 2006, The National Theatre of
Scotland has been involved in creating 189
productions in 162 different locations. With no building of
its own, the Company takes theatre all over Scotland and
beyond, working with existing and new venues and companies
to create and tour theatre of the highest quality. It takes
place in the great buildings of Scotland, but also in
site-specific locations, airports and tower blocks,
community halls and drill halls, ferries and forests. The
Company has performed to over one million people across four
continents. www.nationaltheatrescotland.com
•
Scottish Youth Theatre – giving young
people in Scotland the opportunity to explore and to reach
their creative potential through a quality theatre arts
experience. Using the youth theatre/drama process to develop
not only creativity and performance skills but also
transferable skills in participants, Scottish Youth Theatre
puts particular emphasis on each individual’s personal and
social development.
• The Glasgow 2014
Cultural Programme is a key part of the Games
experience for spectators and visitors. Running until the
end of August 2014, it will showcase the best of Scottish
culture alongside creative work from across the Commonwealth
and be a nationwide celebration of the Games, reaching its
peak as Glasgow bursts into life at Games time. There are
two strands: a Scotland-wide programme called Culture 2014;
and a Games-time celebration in Glasgow running alongside
the sporting action called Festival 2014. The Glasgow 2014
Cultural Programme is a partnership between the Glasgow 2014
Organising Committee, Glasgow Life and Creative Scotland.
• The Calouste Gulbenkian
Foundation is an international charitable
foundation with cultural, educational, social and scientific
interests. Based in Lisbon with offices in London and Paris,
the Foundation is in a privileged position to support
national and transnational work tackling contemporary
issues. The purpose of the UK Branch is to bring about
long-term improvements in well-being, particularly for the
most vulnerable, by creating connections across boundaries
(national borders, communities, disciplines and sectors)
which deliver social, cultural and environmental value. We
support innovative projects and partnerships within
time-limited and purposeful strands of activity. For more
information about the work of the Foundation in the UK visit
Partnerships and Initiatives at www.gulbenkian.org.uk
• Homecoming Scotland 2014 Scotland will welcome the world in the Year of Homecoming 2014 - providing a year-long programme of events alongside the Ryder Cup and Commonwealth Games. The Year of Homecoming Scotland will run from 31 December 2013 to 31 December 2014 throughout the length and breadth of the country. Visitors from around the world are invited to join in a celebration of the nation’s food and drink, active pursuits, cultural heritage, nature and ancestral heritage. Homecoming Scotland 2014 is a Scottish Government initiative being led by EventScotland and VisitScotland, supported by numerous partners. To find out more visitwww.homecomingscotland.com
•
The New Arts Sponsorship Grants scheme incentivises
businesses to sponsor the arts in Scotland. It is funded by
the Scottish Government and administered by Arts & Business
Scotland. An arts organisation receiving an eligible
business sponsorship can apply for £1 of funding for every
£1 of sponsorship. The funding goes towards additional arts
activity, for which the sponsor receives additional business
benefits. www.aandbscotland.org.uk
•
The Guardian reviews The Tin Forest by Helen
Ward: “Some children's picture books are real
works of art and this is one of those. The very best books
for both adults and children often take you deep into the
unconscious or show you the world as if through a prism.
This, again, is one of them. Austere and yet visually rich,
needing few words and yet saying so much, this is a
wonderful fable about making something from nothing, seeing
the beauty lurking among the junk, and about reaping what
you sow.” www.guardian.com - 22nd July
2008