Current affairs are a major inspiration behind a new piece of political theatre by Scottish Youth Theatre National Ensemble 2019
How tech giants use our online activity is the subject of a new ground breaking theatre production touring Scotland this July!
Article Source: Scottish Youth Theatre
Last Updated: 9 July 2019 7:39
This summer, a company of 20 radical young artists will tour a new production which will make us think twice the next time we go online.
Act of Repair began life when the company was tasked with discussing the subject of Brexit. They initially explored the allegations that the campaign used online technology to influence public opinion. This led them on a creative journey of investigation, featuring talks by guest-speakers plus plenty of research including reading The Age of Surveillance Capitalism: The Fight for a Human Future at the New Frontier of Power- a ground-breaking book by academic Shoshana Zuboff.
In May, the company announced their summer production would be Act of Repair, which will tour Scotland in July thanks to support from Creative Scotland’s Open Project Fund. The piece is devised and performed by the company and Ensemble member Hannah Hassan (23) from Bute explains more about what the audience can expect: “Nearly everyone has signed up to aps, social media and search engines. They ask us to agree to the terms and conditions – a wee box that most of us tick without even reading the T & Cs. When we discussed this as a group, one company member said – I know that company are using my data - but so what? Act of Repair explores the so what.”
The subject has been in the news recently, with Facebook in-particular being scrutinised for how it has been used to provide a platform for political influencers or sinister forces. The subject was investigated in more detail by Shoshana Zuboff’s book which was a major inspiration to the group as Hannah explains: “In the past, capitalism has involved us engaging as customers. But in this new data age, we are no longer the customers – we are the raw materials.”
The role of Director of Act of Repair has been assumed by Brian Ferguson – a face more familiar to Scottish audiences for his acting career on stage and screen. Last year he took the title role in the National Theatre of Scotland’s production of Cyrano de Bergerac. More recently he graced the silver screen in the Scottish film Beats and television audiences will know him from The Victim, Trust Me, Line of Duty, Doctors and Outlander to name just a few of his credits. He has also appeared in acclaimed productions by the RSC, the Bush Theatre and the Royal Court. On choosing the Scottish Youth Theatre National Ensemble for his major directorial debut, Brian explains: “I began my journey as an actor at Scottish Youth Theatre when I attended their Summer Courses when I was younger, so I’m delighted to be returning to where it all started for me.
Plus I was really drawn to the opportunity to work with a large ensemble. As an artist I’ve always sought out ensemble work – the idea that everyone in the room has a voice and has ownership of the piece. The age group of this company was really interesting to me. Young people aged 16 - 25 from across Scotland forming their opinion about what theatre should be and what it should do is so inspiring. So I was delighted when I was invited to be the Director of the 2019 company.”
Despite exploring technological forces and capitalism, Brian says the show won’t be hugely technical or futuristic; “The focus will be on storytelling. Our intention is that we use the whole of the Ensemble, filling the stage with lots of voices.”
The National Ensemble 2019 is the latest incarnation of Scottish Youth Theatre’s flagship project which was launched in 2017, as Creative Producer Mahri Reilly explains; “The National Ensemble is made up of 20 emerging artists who are selected every year from auditions across Scotland. They are chosen for their exceptional potential as performers and theatre makers.
“This year’s company represents the wealth of artistic talent Scotland has to offer with artists from Bute, Inverness, Arbroath, Aberdeenshire, Edinburgh, Fife, Renfrewshire and Clydebank to name just a few. I’m confident that this year’s company will continue to deliver the high standard of theatre that has been established by previous Ensembles.”
Act of Repair opens at CCA in Glasgow on Friday 19 July and will tour to Eden Court Theatre (Inverness), The Lemon Tree (Aberdeen), Theatre Royal Dumfries and McLaren High School as part of Callander Summerfest.
More information can be found at www.scottishyouththeatre.org.
Sponsored Links
Latest Stirling News
The Health Lottery launches the Paying It Forward Podcast
The Health Lottery is excited to announce the launch of its newest venture, the 'Paying it Forward' podcast, hosted by renowned radio and TV presenter, Danni Menzies.
READ MORE
Wallace High girls lean on Stirling football legend as Hampden final beckons
The young women of Wallace High School will have the support of an old hand when they attempt to make history next week at Hampden Park.
READ MORE
Public invited to help Go Forth clean up Stirling City Centre
The Go Forth Stirling team are spearheading a drive to clean up the city’s streets and improve the environment with a series of litter-picking sessions. The first one is Saturday 11th May.
READ MORE
Top Dogs at Loch Lomond Shores returns this Saturday
Top Dogs is back! Dog lovers invited to come and have a fun day out with their four-legged family members.
READ MORE
Sterling Home FREE Pizza and Cooking Demo
Sterling Home and Woody want to bring people together at the Tillicoultry store on Thursday 9th May to celebrate the new Woody pizza oven launching across all stores and online.
READ MORE
Drink Beer, Win Cash!
Britain's biggest independent craft brewer, BrewDog is giving beer lovers a chance to 'Drink Beer, Win Cash' with the return of its Cash Cans scavenger hunt this Spring.
READ MORE
Aberg, Fleetwood and Hovland set to star in Genesis Scottish Open
European Ryder Cup stars Ludvig Åberg, Tommy Fleetwood and Viktor Hovland are set to reunite at the 2024 Genesis Scottish Open.
READ MORE
The Stirling 900th anniversary celebrations start in style
Stirling’s 900th anniversary celebrations got underway in style in the spring sunshine last Friday (26 April) as partners came together to launch an exciting year-long programme of events.
READ MORE
Charity celebrates five years of school active travel hubs
Environmental charity FEL Scotland is celebrating five years of its school-based active travel hubs, marking a significant milestone for the innovative education programme.
READ MORE
New Charity Hub is Catalyst for Collective Climate Action
Environmental charity FEL Scotland is leading the charge against climate change with the launch of Forth Valley & the National Park Climate Action Hub.
READ MORE
Thomas Graham Library in Strathblane holds First Art Exhibition
The Thomas Graham Library in Strathblane, which opened last year, is to have its first Art Exhibition on 11th and 12th May.
READ MORE
Make Time for a Cuppa to help support families with dementia
Dementia specialist nursing charity, Dementia UK, is running its 14th annual 'Time for a Cuppa Fundraiser' to raise vital funds for the leading cause of death in the UK.
READ MORE
Discover the magic of trees with Dobbies
Dobbies, the UK's leading garden centre, is inviting children aged four to 10 to a free workshop in May to learn more about trees and how to protect them.
READ MORE
Sign up for 2 free tickets to the Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show
It's just days until the opening of the Homebuilding & Renovating Show, which is back SEC, Glasgow on 11-12 May 2024.
READ MORE
More than 14,100 Kiltwalk heroes step up to achieve record breaking Glasgow event
Glasgow to Loch Lomond was a sea of tartan today as the world's biggest ever Kiltwalk took place, with fundraising already exceeding £2.5m.
READ MORE
Special artwork unveiled to celebrate the launch of Stirling 900
A brand new artwork that celebrates Stirling’s people and its history will be officially unveiled in the city centre today for the launch of Stirling’s 900th anniversary celebrations.
READ MORE
Van Gogh experience announces Scottish premiere dates
A spectacular multimedia show celebrating Vincent van Gogh's life and stunning artworks is coming to Glasgow this summer!
READ MORE
A Big Map for the Big Yin! Interactive map launched to celebrate Billy Connolly
National Theatre of Scotland launches a new interactive map for Scotland to demonstrate its love for the Big Yin, inviting people to share their own Billy Connolly memories.
READ MORE
Cast announced for Scottish tour of Hen Night Horror
Touring Scotland from June, the cast is announced for Hen Night Horror, an original musical comedy that promises to put the willies right up ye!
READ MORE
The Best Home Bar competition from Aldi Scotland returns for 2024
Aldi Scotland's popular 'Best Home Bar' competition has returned for another year, with a year's supply of beer up for grabs!
READ MORE
Paisley Food and Drink Festival returns for a delicious double helping
Paisley Food and Drink Festival returns to the town this weekend for a two-day feastival with plenty for everyone to sample and enjoy.
READ MORE
Nationwide campaign encourages adults in Scotland to take the plunge
With a staggering 14 million adults in the UK unable to swim, the team behind The Learn to Swim National Framework has launched a new campaign to encourage adults in Scotland to learn the life skill.
READ MORE
Stirling Highland Games and Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum joined forces to mark significant milestone
Stirling Highland Games and the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum Forge Historic Partnership to Commemorate Stirling's 900th Anniversary.
READ MORE
Cornton Street Party Celebration to mark Changing Seasons
Stirling’s Remembering Together project is set to host a celebration of community, creativity and the changing seasons on Thursday 2nd May in the heart of Cornton.
READ MORE
Top tips for visiting the Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show
Now in its 30th year, the show is the go-to exhibition for any self-builders or renovators looking for practical tips, expert advice, or the chance to view 1000s of products.
READ MORE
Lights, camera, action, Delight as Stirling Studios announced
Stirling Council is thrilled to announce the creation of Stirling Studios, which will be among the biggest film studio campuses in Scotland.
READ MORE
Family Fun as BRICKLIVE Ocean arrives in Stirling
Families have been following a fascinating trail featuring life-size brick models of sea creatures around Stirling at the BRICKLIVE Ocean tour which runs until Sunday April 21st.
READ MORE
New Finds at Culloden Battlefield shed more light on intensity of battle
Latest investigations by National Trust for Scotland archaeologists at Culloden Battlefield have recovered a wide range of artefacts.
READ MORE
Kevin McKenzie Named Honorary Chieftain of the 2024 Stirling Highland Game
The Stirling Highland Games Committee is thrilled to announce that former Scotland International hooker Kevin McKenzie has been appointed as the Honorary Chieftain for the 2024 Games.
READ MORE
Teenager up for Song of the Year at The John Lennon Songwriter Contest
17 year old Brodie Brown from Stirling goes head-to-head for ‘Song of the Year’ at The John Lennon Songwriter Awards despite life-long physical and mental health battles.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links