National Theatre of Scotland S 2018 Season
NATIONAL THEATRE OF SCOTLAND’S 2018 SEASON
Press Release – 29 November 2017
Jackie Wylie, Artistic Director of the National Theatre of Scotland says
“I am delighted to present the National Theatre of Scotland’s 2018 programme, with ambitious major productions, new plays, festival offerings, international interventions, regular tours of much loved productions and brand new shows.
This is a wide-reaching, year-long nationwide programmethat builds on the National Theatre of Scotland’sfounding principle to be a theatre for everyone with a renewed focus for 2018 on celebrating young people and their vital contribution to our nation’s artistic life.
We want to thrill and entertain audiences in Scotland and beyond, to encourage participation in cultural life and look to the future of what theatre can be.
At the core of our 2018 season is a celebration of the brilliance of Scottish work. We also welcome artists from beyond our borders who we know will excite Scottish audiences and inspire our local artists.
I would also like to extend a warm welcome to Stewart Laing and Cora Bissett as our new Associate Artists and Mark Stevenson who comes on board as our first Futurist in Residence. Nic Green and Adura Onashile will also join the National Theatre of Scotland as Artists in Residence. We also have an exciting new youth project team in place, whose members are already inspiring the Company with their energy and ideas.
Huge thanks are due to all the partners, companies and supporters without whom the scope and vision of this programme could not be realised”
WORLD PREMIERES AND NEW PRODUCTIONS INCLUDE:
- Cyrano de Bergerac, adapted by Edwin Morgan, directed by Dominic Hill at Tramway, Glasgow, Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh and Eden Court Theatre, Inverness . A major new version of the Scots language, Scottish theatre classic. A National Theatre of Scotland, Citizens Theatre and Royal Lyceum Theatre co-production.
- The Reason I Jump based on the book by Naoki Higoshida, translated by David Mitchell and Keiko Yoshida, production conceived and directed by Graham Eatough at The Children’s Wood and North Kelvin Meadow, Glasgow. A site responsive installation and imaginative adaptation of the best-selling novel exploring one boy’s extraordinary insight into living with autism.
- The 306 Dusk by Oliver Emanuel, composed by Gareth Williams and directed by Wils Wilson
at Perth Theatre. The concluding part of the elegiac trilogy about First World War deserters shot for cowardice. A National Theatre of Scotland, Perth Theatre and14-18 NOW co-production.
- First Snow/Première Neige, written by Davey Anderson, Linda McLean and Philippe Ducros anddirected by Patrice Dubois at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2018. Three companies and two nations interrogate sovereignty and identity. An international Québécois and Scottish collaboration.A National Theatre of Scotland,ThéâtrePÀP and Hôtel-Motelco-production.
- My Left Right Foot, created by Robert Softley Gale at Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2018. A riotous and irreverent new musical satirising the portrayal of disabled actors on stage and screen. A Birds of Paradise and National Theatre of Scotland co-production.
- Midsummer by David Greig and Gordon McIntyre at The Hub, at the Edinburgh International Festival. A reimagining of the Scottish hit musical rom-com, placing the audience at the heart of the action. A National Theatre of Scotland and Edinburgh International Festival co-production.
- Eddie and The Slumber Sisters, directed by Gill Roberston with text by Anita Vettesse, touring Scotland. A moving and musical immersive family show about grandparents and grieving.A Catherine Wheels and National Theatre of Scotland co-production.
- Gut by Frances Poet, directed by Zinnie Harris at the Traverse Theatre and Tron Theatre. A Traverse Theatre production in association with National Theatre of Scotland and Ma, Pa and the Little Mouths by Martin McCormick, directed by Andy Arnold at the Tron Theatre and Traverse Theatre. A Tron Theatre production in association with National Theatre of Scotland. Two new plays by two exciting emergent playwrights.
PARTICIPATORY THEATRE AND FESTIVALS INCLUDE
- Futureproof - Year of Young People 2018, co-curated by Lucy Gaizely/21Common in locations across Scotland from 28 September to 28 October 2018. An ambitious new festival of radical work, co-created by young people alongside leading UK and international theatre-makers. National Theatre of Scotland in association with Event Scotland – with Mammalian Diving Reflex (Germany /Canada); Rimini Protokoll (Germany) Supported by Paisley 2021; CAMPO (Belgium); Empathy Museum (UK); Jess Thom/Touretteshero (UK); GLAS(S) performance (UK); Ahke (Russia); Greg Sinclair (UK); Back to Back Theatre (Australia) and Project X (UK).
- Citizen of Nowhere, co-curated by William Galinsky, in Dundee. A mini festival of commissions and discussions, questioning how theatre and art can respond to an increasingly fragmented world. A National Theatre of Scotland and GalinskyWorks co-production.
- Shift, written anddirected by Simon Sharkey at Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life. A multi media, site responsive theatre event exploring work and life in North Lanarkshire. A National Theatre of Scotland, Culture NL and North Lanarkshire Council co-production.
NEW ASSCOCIATES
Leading theatre-makers Cora Bissett and Stewart Laing join as Associate Directors, and Nic Green and Adura Onashile as Artists in Residence.Expert Futurist and author, Mark Stevenson joins as the Company’s first Futurist in Residence, possibly one of the first ever to be embedded with a theatre company.
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NEW WEBSITE
To coincide with the National Theatre of Scotland’s 2018 season launch, the Company will launch a new website. As a theatre without walls, the website acts as the virtual home for all information about the National Theatre of Scotland’s theatre programme, partners, booking information and content.
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The year in brief:
January 2018
- Rocket Post, written and directed by Lewis Hetherington and screen version directed by Donald Macinnes. Touring the Highlands and Islands with The Screen Machine from 06 January to 03 March 2018. A National Theatre of Scotland, Regional Screen Scotland and The Space co-production.
- Engine Room's Just Start Herepop-up festival at Civic House, Glasgow from 26 and 27 January 2018
March 2018
- How to Act, written and directed by Graham Eatough. Touring Scotland from 06 to 23 March 2018
- Shift, written and directed by Simon Sharkey at Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life from 29 March to 01 April 2018. A National Theatre of Scotland, Culture NL and North Lanarkshire Council co-production.
April 2018
- Eddie and The Slumber Sisters, directed by Gill Roberston with text by Anita Vettesse.
Touring Scotland from April to June 2018. A Catherine Wheels and National Theatre of Scotland co-production.
May 2018
- The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart. Created by David Greig (director) and Wils Wilson (writer). Touring Scotland from 14 to 25 May 2018 and at Spoleto Festival from 31 May to 09 June 2018.
- Eve and Adam
Eve by Jo Clifford and Chris Goode, directed by Susan Worsfold and Adam by Frances Poet, directed by Cora Bissett at Dundee Rep from 24 to 26 May, with additional performances of Adam at Brighton Festival and the Beacon Arts Centre in May 2018.
National Theatre of Scotland at the Take Me Somewhere Festival
Far As My Fingertips Take Me by Tania El Khoury in Glasgow from 24 to 27 May 2018 ATake Me Somewhere and National Theatre of Scotland co-presentation.
Unexploded Ordnances (UXO) by Split Britchesat Platform, Glasgow, 26 May 2018 A Take Me Somewhere, National Theatre of Scotland and Platform co-presentation, with support fromLuminate and Outspoken Arts Scotland.
- A National Theatre of Scotland, Traverse Theatre and Tron Theatre new writing initiative.
Gut by Frances Poet, directed by Zinnie Harris at the Traverse Theatre and Tron Theatre from 20 April to 19 May 2018. A Traverse Theatre production in association with National Theatre of Scotland.
Ma, Pa and the Little Mouthsby Martin McCormick, directed by Andy Arnoldat the Tron Theatreand Traverse Theatre from 3 to 19 May 2018. A Tron Theatre production in association with National Theatre of Scotland.
June 2018
- The Reason I Jumpbased on the book by Naoki Higoshida, translated by David Mitchell and Keiko Yoshida, production conceived and directed by Graham Eatough at The Children’s Wood and North Kelvin Meadow, Glasgow in June 2018.
July 2018
- Exchange - Youth Theatre festival at Eden Court Theatre, Inverness from 2 to 8July 2018
Presented by National Theatre of Scotland and Eden Court Theatre.
August 2018
National Theatre of Scotland at the Edinburgh Festivals
- First Snow/Première Neige, written by Davey Anderson, Linda McLean and Philippe Ducros and directed by Patrice Dubois at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2018. A National Theatre of Scotland,Théâtre PÀP and Hôtel-Motelco-production.
- Midsummer by David Greig and Gordon McIntyre at The Hub, at the Edinburgh International Festival in August 2018. A National Theatre of Scotland and Edinburgh International Festival co-production.
- My Left Right Foot, created by Robert Softley Gale at Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2018 in August 2018. A Birds of Paradise and National Theatre of Scotland co-production.
Summer 2018
- Gob Squad’s Super Night Shotin Glasgow in summer 2018. A National Theatre of Scotland presentation.
September 2018
- Cyrano de Bergerac, adapted by Edwin Morgan, directed by Dominic Hill at Tramway, Glasgow, Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh and Eden Court Theatre, Inverness from 01 September to 10 November 2018. A National Theatre of Scotland, Citizens Theatre and Royal Lyceum Theatre co-production.
October 2018
- The 306 Dusk by Oliver Emanuel, composed by Gareth Williams and directed by Wils Wilson
at Perth Theatre from 12 to 27 October 2018. A National Theatre of Scotland, Perth Theatre14-18 NOW co-production.
- Futureproof - Year of Young People 2018, co-curated by Lucy Gaizely/21Common in locations across Scotland from 28 September to 28 October 2018
National Theatre of Scotland in association with Event Scotlandwith Mammalian Diving Reflex (Germany /Canada); Rimini Protokoll (Germany) Supported by Paisley 2021; CAMPO (Belgium); Empathy Museum (UK); Jess Thom/Touretteshero (UK); GLAS(S) performance (UK); Ahke (Russia); Greg Sinclair (UK); Back to Back Theatre (Australia) and Project X (UK).
November 2018
- Citizen of Nowhere, co-curated by William Galinsky, in Dundee in November 2018
A National Theatre of Scotland and GalinskyWorks co-production.
- Engine Room's Just Start Here pop-up Festival in Aberdeen in November 2018
Presented by National Theatre of Scotland and Aberdeen Performing Arts, as part of Season for Change 2018 led by Julie’s Bicycle, Artsadmin and Battersea Arts Centre.
- TT Jump, directed by Simon Sharkey and Wendell Manwarrenin Port of Spain, Trinidad in November 2018. A National Theatre of Scotland production supported by British Council Trinidad and Tobago.
Throughout 2018
- Theatre in Schools Scotland
National Theatre of Scotland and Imaginate with Catherine Wheels, Visible Fictions, Starcatchers. Touring schools throughout Scotland
- Engine Room - opportunities for artists throughout Scotland
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THE FULL 2018 PROGRAMME
National Theatre of Scotland, The Space and Regional Screen Scotland present
Rocket Post – a new screen version of the stage playto tour with the Screen Machine
Stage Version: Written and directed by Lewis Hetherington with collaborators Ailie Cohen and MJ McCarthy, and movement director Kane Husbands.
Screen version: directed by Donald MacInnes
Cast: Ceit Kearney, Christina Gordon, Gavin Swift, Harry Ward and MJ Deans.
Touring the Highlands and Islands from 06 January to 03 March 2018
Following a premiere inMillport on the Isle of Cumbrae on 8 December 2017 Rocket Postwill tour with the Screen Machine tour for selected screenings across communities in Northern Scotland from 6 January to 03 March 2018.
Following a successful Scotland wide 2017 stage tour, a special showing of the production was filmed at the Tarbert Community Centre in Harris in front of a live audience specifically for this broadcast. Harris has a particular resonance with the story of Gerhard Zucker and his rocket mail idea for delivering letters at high speed over long distances. Zucker travelled to the Western Isles to experiment by sending two rockets full of letters on a 1600 metre flight path between the isles of Harris and Scarp. The filming for broadcast was been made possible through the support of digital commissioning agency The Space working with Creative Scotland.
The tour will be accompanied by a creative digital engagement programme for children and an interactive live element in selected venues on the tour.
Rocket Post marks the first time that the National Theatre of Scotland has brought a broadcast screening of a National Theatre of Scotland show to cinema audiences. It continues the ethos of the Company to tour widely throughout Scotland, to reach as many audiences as possible with their work and to ensure that remote communities get access to their National Theatre’s programme. This is the first National Theatre of Scotland on Screen project and marks the beginning of the Company producing work on different platforms, offering innovative new ways for audiences to experience National Theatre of Scotland productions.
Lewis Hetherington’s inventive new show for children and grown-ups tells Zucker’s extraordinary real story, packed with specially arranged songs, celebrating one man’s ambitious endeavour and the joyous discoveries that can happen when everything goes wrong: a story full of humour, heart and hope for the future.
Director Donald MacInnes is a BBC multi camera director, whose family are from Barra. His broad experience includes visualising drama for BBC Arts Digital including the ground breaking "Minefield" at this year's Edinburgh Festival as well as a series of rehearsed readings for the Royal Court Theatre. His many other directing credits range from Celtic Connections to TRNSMT and from Hogmanay to General Election coverage.
Lewis Hetherington is a celebrated playwright and theatre-maker based in Scotland. His previous acclaimed collaborations with Ailie Cohen include The Secret Life of Suitcases andCloud Man.
Regional Screen Scotland owns and operates Screen Machine, Scotland’s mobile cinema, which brings the latest films to 40+ communities in remote and rural areas of Scotland.
This collaboration with National Theatre of Scotland is part of an on-going programme to broaden the range of screen experiences which the Screen Machine can offer.
Booking information
Touring Scotland in 2018 - Brodick, Isle of Arran (Auchrannie Hotel)- 2pm, 06 January; Lochgilphead (Resource Centre)- 2pm, 13 January; Castlebay (The Pier)- 5.30pm, 16 January; Liniclate, Isle of Benbecula (Dark Island Hotel)- 2pm, 20 January; Kyleakin, Isle of Skye (Main car park)- 2pm, 27 January;Mallaig (Harbour area)- 5.30pm, 30 January; Lochcarron (Battery Park, Murray Sq)- 2pm, 03 February; Lochinver (Main Street)- 2pm, 10 February;Bettyhill (opposite Bettyhill Hotel)- 5.30pm, 15 February; Lairg (Lairg Community Centre)- 2pm, 17 February; Fort William (car park near Shinty Club)- 2pm, 24 February; Tobermory, Isle of Mull (Ledaig Car Park)- 2pm, 03 March.
Booking information
Join the conversation: #rocketpostonscreen
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The National Theatre of Scotland presents
Just Start Here
A pop up festival of new work and Scottish artists
Part of Engine Room
At Civic House, Glasgow on 26 & 27 January 2018
Just Start Here is a new playground for Scottish artists: a space to share and generate ideas, art and provocations, and to spark new collaborations across art-forms as well as offering a curated and supported platform for bold, vital work to find its feet in front of an audience.
Just Start Here will take the form of a two day festival, an opportunity for artists, audiences and communities to come together to encounter something new in Civic House, a learning space for progressive forms of city development run by Agile City. It will also see the Company return to their previous office space before their move into their new Headquarters, within the same Speirs Wharf area
Just Start Here will include new work-in-progress pieces of theatre, discussions, forums, provocations, music, dance, visual art and cross art form experimentation. Over the two days, the festival will explore race, ritual, food, family, tea, queer identities, grief, activism and cross-art form making featuring new work by Debbie Hannan, Laurie Brown and Hannah Lavery and music from Heir of the Cursed and DJs from Grassroots Glasgow. There will be the opportunity for artists from across art-forms to share practice and seed new cross-art-form work, curated by Ashanti Harris (Project X) and Camara Taylor (Transmission) and Adura Onashile will lead a series of one to oneperformances about intimacy, identity and the perfect cuppa.
Later in the year, the National Theatre of Scotland will partner with Aberdeen Performing Arts to present Just Start Here in Aberdeen, in November. This will feature a day of climate change creative action, as part of Season for Change 2018 led by Julie’s Bicycle, Artsadmin and Battersea Arts Centre.
Season for Change is running from June to December 2018 and sees the UK's creative community hosting a season of diverse, multidisciplinary responses across the arts, culture and creative industries. It is the first coordinated national response from artists and arts organisations speaking out together on the future of the planet. The Season will coincide with the landmark UN Climate of Parties 'COP24' talks taking place in November, critical in meeting the targets of the Paris Agreement.
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The National Theatre of Scotland presents
How to Act
Written and directed by Graham Eatough
Performed byRobert Goodale and Jade Ogugua
Touring Scotland from 06 to 23 March 2018
How to Act, Graham Eatough’s powerful and provocative meditation on art, ethics, and truth, is set to return to Scottish stages in 2018, touring to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverness and St Andrews. Co-stars Robert Goodale and Jade Ogugua also return for this Scottish tour, following on from a highly successful debut at the 2017 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, which saw the show critical acclaim and awards success, including a Scotsman Fringe First.
Internationally-renowned theatre director Anthony Nicholl has travelled the globe on a life-long quest to discover the true essence of theatre. Today he is giving a masterclass. Nicholl will demonstrate, first-hand, the unique methods he cultivated in Africa and across many cultures throughout the world.
Promise, an aspiring young actress, has volunteered to take part. What unfolds between them will ultimately force Nicholl to question all of his assumptions about his life and art.