This year’s Imaginate Festival, Scotland’s international festival of performing arts for children and young people, runs this week until Monday 13 May 2013 at venues across Edinburgh.
Now in its 24th year, the Imaginate Festival will present thirteen productions from Scotland, England, Europe and USA, including a programme of international dance and new commissions by Scottish choreographers. Selected productions will also go on tour to various locations throughout Scotland.
This year’s programme includes productions from six different countries: from Belgium, Compagnie ChaliWaté present Îlo (for everyone 5+); from England, Bootworks Theatre present The Incredible Book Eating Boy (for everyone 4 – 7 years) and Unicorn Theatre present Something Very Far Away (for everyone 8+); from Ireland, Branar Téatar do Pháistí present Mise – The Story of A Girl (for everyone 6+); from the Netherlands Arch 8 Dance Group present their double bill of dance duets, No Man is an Island and My True North (for everyone 8+); Het Lab Utrecht present Alles (for everyone 4 -7 years) and Maas theater en dans present Wanted: Rabbit (for everyone 3 – 5 years) and, from USA, The Robot Planet present The Intergalactic Nemesis – Live-Action Graphic Novel. Book One: Target Earth (for everyone 8+).
As always, outstanding work produced by Scottish companies for children and young people is represented at Festival this year:
Curious Seed present Chalk About (for everyone 8+), a playful, funny and sometimes moving look at how we see ourselves and others, featuring dance and chat and devised and performed by Christine Devaney and Leandro Kees.
National Theatre of Scotland present a new adaptation of The Day I Swapped My Dad For Two Goldfish, a delightful show which is a little bit about being a sibling and a little bit about being a genius (for everyone 6 – 10 years), based on the book by Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean, created by Lu Kemp (One Thousand Paper Cranes, Titus) and Abigail Docherty (One Thousand Paper Cranes) and written by Oliver Emanuel (Titus).
Shona Reppe presents the award-winning The Curious Scrapbook of Josephine Bean (for everyone 7+), a beautiful and intriguing show where slowly, page-by-page, a scrapbook becomes the window into a secret world as a curious life unfolds before us.
Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said:- “Imaginate enriches children’s lives, supports their development and can unlock their creative potential. The festival supports Scotland’s economy and helps to promote our nation’s rich culture, heritage and distinct identity on the world stage.
“That is why, through our Expo Fund, the Scottish Government has awarded £70,000 towards a week long programme of the best international dance for young audiences, featuring new commissions by Scottish choreographers and a concentrated professional development programme for dance artists.”
Iain Munro, Director of Creative Development at Creative Scotland said:- “Once again the Imaginate Festival will present a brilliant mix of shows and activities from leading Scottish and international companies that will delight young children and their families. For some of the audience it might be the first time in their lives they’ve been in a theatre – a fantastic introduction to the enjoyment and new ways to learn and see the world that the arts brings. There are also superb opportunities for those working in, or with aspirations to work in, children’s theatre to develop and share skills and ideas as part of a festival which continues to play a major role in Scotland remaining a world leader in presenting and creating children’s theatre.”
Tony Reekie, Festival Director said:- “A warm welcome to young and old, big and small,to enjoy and celebrate the world’s best work for children and young people. We think we have a broad and exciting mix this year to suit every taste!”
Full details and a downloadable Imaginate Festival brochure can be read below:-
Imaginate Festival 2013 Brochure
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