When 2019 began I promised myself I’d make sure I found more time to keep my blog up-to-date… and then (as usual) life got in the way. Thankfully this has been taking the shape of lots of exciting projects in the pipeline for the next few months – so I thought I’d take a few moments to share what I’ve been up to!
I continue to have regular work with Hellion Trace, and big plans are shaping up for 2019 and beyond, including reviving the incredible Mass Crane Dance and expanding the scope of the Kicking the Mic project with multiple performers – this has involved a lot of strategic planning and many, many applications to festivals, funding and residencies to get plans in place for 2019.
My other regular work is continuing to produce participatory performance I am Echboborg, which was incredibly well received at the FoST conference in New York, and has several dates in the diary already for 2019. We’re still looking to tour it far and wide, so get in touch if you want to bring this unique experience to your event or venue!
A new project which has moved incredibly quickly over the last few months is Ashurbanipal – an immersive play exploring the fall of the last great king of Assyria. I’ve been collaborating closely with renowned Assyriologist Selena Wisnom and Director Justin Murray of Catharsis Theatre, as well as the wider creative team, to get the play up on its feet. It will be premiering at The Crypt Gallery in Euston in just a few weeks time. Tickets are selling fast, so be sure to grab yours before they’re gone!
I’m also delighted to be working with Rachel Rose Reid again, as she returns to Bristol as part of M Shed’s LGBT+ History Month event. On the evening of the talk she will be presenting her feminist, queer Arthurian epic storytelling piece Silence at Arnolfini, in association with Coexist. Again, tickets are available now!
And still in the pipeline are some exciting new collaborations… including working with the lovely Ant Lightfoot on his new one-man show (which is about mental health and queerness, and therefore very close to my heart), and a modern adaptation of the Peer Gynt story, including copious Wizard of Oz references and a live band.
2019 is going to rock.