News Story
Whatever happens on 29 March, politically-charged performance is the order of the day at Glasgow’s SWG3, where the National Theatre of Scotland is staging Dear Europe: a night of brand-new artistic performances that respond to this significant time in Europe’s history.
Curated by National Theatre of Scotland’s Artistic Director Jackie Wylie and Associate Director Stewart Laing, the event will see audiences enjoy exciting live performance, food, film, and music, all hosted by celebrated Scottish writer and performer Gary McNair.
Speaking about the event, Jackie Wylie said “We at the National Theatre of Scotland believe that culture can ignite debate, allowing artists to respond to the seismic political moments that continue to define our lives. In response to these current times which sees us all contemplating our relationship to Europe, we have commissioned six personal artistic responses exploring pertinent themes including citizenship, borders, control, exports and migration.
“Regardless of what 29 March brings we hope audiences will join us in what promises to be a playful night of theatrical surprises, offering cultural solidarity to all, in uncertain times”
The Dear Europe performances will include
moving through shadows, a film by NIMA SÉNE and DANIEL HUGHES with concept by Adura Onashile, featuring Ifi Ude
Nima Séne and Daniel Hughes will create a filmed piece exploring the experience of people of colour in present-day Poland alongside that of the Polish community in Scotland. Working with Polish/Nigerian singer Ifi Ude and theatre-maker Adura Onashile, the film will be inspired by the civil rights “red experience” in Soviet-era Poland.
Second Citizen, created and performed by ANGUS FARQUHAR with Cameron Sinclair (percussion) and Scott Twynholm (music and sound)
Second Citizen is Angus Farquhar’s battle to remain a member of the EU. How a shared history has shaped his life: the strands that cross from family deaths in the Great War, to touring Eastern Europe with industrial music collective Test Dept and now to writing to the Heads of every member State seeking adoption. For the first time in 30 years he will perform on stage with Cameron Sinclair, telling that story, driven forward to an intensive percussive sound finale.
d’tús maith is leath na h’oibre | a good start is half the work, created and performed by NIC GREEN and RUAIRÍ Ó’DONNABHÁIN
Focussing on Ireland’s ‘special relationship’ with the UK, and the role the contested UK / Ireland Border has played in the current debate, National Theatre of Scotland’s Artist-in-Residence Nic Green and Irish choreographer Ruairí Ó’Donnabháin unite to create a cross-border collaboration exploring the customs of boundaries and lines.
Cadaver Police In Quest Of Aquatraz Exit, created by ALAN McKENDRICK with Jules Buchholtz (dramaturg) and performed by Anna Lehr, Carrie Skinner, Natali McCleary & Ross Mann plus special musical guests Smack Wizards (Chris Wallace, Claire O’Brien, Jack Mellin).
“The problem with your country is that you make nothing other countries wish to buy. Except for your rock’n’roll, of course, some of that is super-nice, but really how far will this get you?” Alan McKendrick takes on this challenge, laid down by German artist Jules Buchholtz and creates a sci-fi jailbreak musical. The narrative follows the fortunes of the band Cadaver Police as they become the first international export out of a blockaded country after decades of total embargo. Marieluise Fleißer, Hito Steyerl, 2000AD magazine and contemporary octopus consciousness all provide suitable inspiration. Featuring live music from Glasgow avant-psych instrumentalists, Smack Wizards.
Death Becomes Us, created by LEONIE RAE GASSON with Susan Bear (music & sound), Sabrina Henry (design), and Beldina Odenyo (music). Performed by Beldina Odenyo Onassis (Heir of the Cursed) and a community chorus of European migrants.
Leonie Rae Gasson and her musical collaborators, including a specially formed community chorus of Scotland based European migrants, blend intimate audio performance with exuberant live music to tickle the senses whilst looking at our obsession with taking back control.
Aquaculture Flagshipwreck, created and performed by TAM DEAN BURN with Rachel Newton (music) and Tom Morgan-Jones (artist)
No slipper skipper or gentleman angler, Tam Dean Burn is wading into Scotland and Europe’s fisheries policies with a livebait performance. Aquaculture Flagshipwreck tackles new and ancient mariner music, trawls William Blake’s prophetic European images and casts a net wide across the continental shelf-life of capital’s insatiable appetite for the fruits of the sea.
