Wonder Fools are delighted to announce their brand new season of ambitious socially engaged theatre

This season is their biggest and most ambitious to date and includes an incredible mix of productions in venues across Scotland.

Article Source: Wonder Fools
Last Updated: 15 May 2024 10:10

Wonder Fools continues to have a proven track record of delivering high quality arts projects and theatre productions with young people and communities across Scotland and beyond, and this season is no different. It starts with The Bunker, a musical, in South Ayrshire in June; Òran, a hip hop retelling of a Greek classic, at the Edinburgh Fringe in August; The Events, a new production of David Greig’s modern classic, in Cumbernauld in October; and to round it all off, their incredibly successful international project Positive Stories for Negative Times, a year long participatory project for young writers and theatre makers working alongside a fantastic line up of international artists, running from September 2024-September 2025. This ambitious and far reaching programme is delivered by a young company who currently receive no regular funding.

The Bunker - 26 June 2024 @ The Gaiety, Ayr
The Bunker, directed by Jack Nurse, is a compelling new comedy musical reflecting on our diverse experiences of lockdown. Created in collaboration with the local community, this original production follows four strangers who gather in a bunker to spend lockdown together. Their disagreements and different worldviews provide plenty of laughs whilst their individual stories, inspired by conversations with local people in South Ayrshire, explore themes around isolation, grief, and a yearning for connection. Songs from artists such as The Clash, Rod Stewart and Dua Lipa will be performed live by a professional cast joined onstage by 50 community performers. This new co-production with The Gaiety has been commissioned by Greenspace as part of the Covid memorial project ‘Remembering Together’.

Òran - @ Pleasance, Edinburgh - 31 Jul-25 Aug 3.15pm
This urgent modern retelling of Orpheus and Eurydice combines spoken word, lyrical storytelling and a pulsating electronic live score. The thrilling story of Òran and his journey to rescue his best friend from the Underworld. Should he arrive there, Hades might grant him the chance to lead his friend home…but at what cost? This visceral piece of contemporary theatre is a collaboration with the acclaimed hip-hop artist Owen Sutcliffe in partnership with Pitlochry Festival Theatre & Pleasance Theatre as part of the Edinburgh National Partnership 2024 with music by VanIves, creating an entertaining modern retelling of the Greek classic. This will be Wonder Fools first ever production at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

The Events - @ Lanternhouse, Cumbernauld – 28 Sep-5 Oct 2024
This thrilling and visceral new staging of David Greig’s modern classic is an exciting collaboration between the professional cast and a community choir specially created for the production. Directed by Jack Nurse, it tells the powerful story about community, empathy and resilience – about Claire, a priest who survives a mass shooting and sets out on a quest to answer the most difficult question of all: why? The Events, produced by Cumbernauld Theatre and in association with Wonder Fools, is a journey that takes her to the edge of reason, science, politics and faith.

Positive Stories for Negative Times: Season 4 – across Scotland - Sep 2024 – Sep 2025
Wonder Fools are delighted and incredibly proud that this will be the fourth iteration of their flagship and ground-breaking participatory project Positive Stories for Negative Times. It commissions some of the UK’s most exciting theatre artists to create new work with young people in Scotland and around the world.

This year it will feature work by an incredible line up of talent including Ella Hickson, Mammalian Diving Reflex, Adura Onashile, Travis Alabanza and James Ley. Over the year it will engage over 3000 young people and 200 youth leaders nationally and internationally and culminate in 4 major youth arts festivals in summer 2025 at partner venues in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Stornoway and Dumfries.

This project, co-commissioned by the Traverse, will also include a national call out for a new young writer giving them the opportunity to have their first professional commission. The new writer will be announced on Wonder Fools social media on 20 May 2024.

PSFNT is created and produced by Wonder Fools in association with the Traverse Theatre, Citizens Theatre, An Lanntair and Dumfries Theatre Royal in association with Youth Theatre Arts Scotland.

Wonder Fools say of PSFNT: “The project started with conversations during lockdown with young people discussing what they wanted the future of youth theatre to look like. Little did we know that those chats would be the catalyst for creating one of the biggest and far-reaching projects of its kind, with 8747 young people from 17 different countries participating. We are genuinely in awe. Anyone can get involved and stage a performance in their local community, and for 20 of the lucky companies, they'll get to perform at one of our festivals.”

Alongside this new season Wonder Fools will continue their ambitious Artist Development strategy including:

• Their Youth Board initiative will see them working with 40 of the most exciting early career artists in Scotland
• 20 CPD workshops for professionals who work with young people led by some of the UK’s most exciting artists.
• Opportunities for 20 associate artists via PSFNT who will offer in-person artist development for teachers and teaching artists working with disadvantaged young people to further their practice and develop their work for PSFNT.
• Hosting open advice sessions for freelancers supporting around 60 people a year.
• 3 New Year New Work events, a paid opportunity for early career and established music and theatre artists to test new material at SWG3 Glasgow.

Co-founders Jack Nurse & Robbie Gordon say of the upcoming season: “We are incredibly excited to announce our first ever season of work including a rich blend of stories and forms all rooted in our socially engaged theatre-making model. We can't wait to collaborate with all the different groups involved over the next year to create these shows - from the 50 community performers onstage at the Gaiety to the choir we're building from scratch for David Greig's ‘The Events’ in Cumbernauld. Live music is threaded throughout the year with well-known songs in The Bunker, hip hop beats for our first Fringe show Òran and the choir's songs at the Lanternhouse. This is a programme combining popular entertainment, ambitious theatricality and the most pressing topics of today all made with audiences, artists and people at its heart.”

Got a story to share? Send us an email at hello[@]whatsonnetwork.co.uk

Latest Glasgow News

Celebrate the arrival of Deadpool & Wolverine with limited edition merch and sweet treats at Vue

THE highly anticipated team-up of Deadpool & Wolverine is finally arriving at screens across the UK and Ireland this weekend at Vue Cinemas.

The Mercury Prize nominees who played some of their first gigs in iconic Glasgow venue

For many of the artists on this year's Mercury Prize shortlist, their early careers took them onstage at King Tut's, a venue renowned for supporting grassroots talent.

Search is on for the biggest craft beer fan in Scotland

Edinburgh’s award-winning Cold Town Brewery has launched a nationwide search to appoint an honorary chief taster to help develop its new summer beer range.

X Factor champion to star in Scottish premiere at Glasgow theatre

The King's Theatre Glasgow will host the Scottish premiere of NOW That's What I Call A Musical in 2025 and are delighted to announce that Sam Bailey will star as April!

Celebrate the Gruffalo with The Royal Society for Blind Children

Join a very special session on Zoom as The Royal Society for Blind Children (RSBC) celebrates The Gruffalo's 25th birthday, in partnership with Macmillan Children's Books!

ButeFest set to welcome thousands this weekend

ButeFest, the much-loved family-friendly music festival, returns to the Isle of Bute tomorrow, running until Sunday 28th July and set to welcome thousands of music lovers of all ages.

The Gannet supports Scottish fishermen with Shellfish Sunday Lunch next month

Scotland's leading fine dining restaurant, The Gannet, is supporting Scottish fisherman by collaborating with MacNeil Shellfish to create a one off indulgent seafood lunch next month.

National Trust For Scotland launches annual footpath fund appeal as countryside visitors climb

Charity appeals for Footpath Fund donations as countryside visitors increase by 16 percent in first half of the year.

Pavilion Theatre staff reminisce about their favourite toys ahead of The McDougalls In Toyland arriving at the venue

Children's show The McDougalls In Toyland visits the Pavilion and venue staff talk favourite childhood toys.

Kelvingrove Bandstand celebrates 100th anniversary

The historic venue in Kelvingrove Park will mark the milestone with a specially recorded Squeeze concert, Doors Open Day events and the launch of a new webpage.

Music fans have a lot to look forward to at Vue in Scotland this summer

Music lovers have a lot to celebrate this summer at Vue, with three exciting titles hitting the big screen – including BLACKPINK’s latest concert film.

Josie Pops brings a taste of the Philippines to the West End

A former contestant on Britain's Best Home Cook is popping up in Glasgow this weekend with her take on a traditional Filipino BBQ!

The hottest party in town! Star names head to Glasgow for the Topgolf Open

Glasgow venue hosted creators from around the UK and national, local, and golf press on the eve of The 152nd Open Championship.

Local actress to lead Blood Brothers when it comes to Glasgow

Glaswegian actress Vivienne Carlyle will return to the iconic role of Mrs. Johnstone, having received nightly standing ovations for her powerful and poignant performance in the West End!

Duncan Dornan to retire as Head of Glasgow Life Museums and Collections

Duncan Dornan is retiring as Head of Glasgow Life Museums and Collections after nine years in the role.

Clyde 1 announces opening of latest Cash for Kids Sports Challenge

Applications are open for the charity fundraising challenge supporting grassroots sports in Glasgow and the West.

Aldi Scotland launches search for the Ultimate BBQ Ambassador

In response to Scotlands gloomy and grey summer weather, Aldi Scotland has launched a nationwide hunt for the country’s Ultimate BBQ Ambassador.

Caledonian Sleeper launches photography competition celebrating UK beauty spots

The landscape photography competition will run until October with three prizes up for grabs!

Merchant City Festival draws in 35,000 people

The 2024 Merchant City Festival was enjoyed by 35,000 people as street arts, dance and musical performances brought large crowds to one of Glasgow's oldest districts.

Trust teams up with round the world cyclist to showcase accessible routes in National Park

Trust in the Park has teamed up with renowned round-the-world cyclist and filmmaker Markus Stitz to showcase Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park’s accessible routes this summer.

Piping Live! Showcase Emerging and Diverse Talent for 2024

Glasgow's internationally renowned piping festival Piping Live! will showcase five acts as part of the Emerging Talent strand of this year's event.

Celebrate World Ice Cream Day with a sweet deal from Buchanan Galleries

Buchanan Galleries is giving away 200 free scoops of ice cream on Sunday 21st July to commemorate World Ice Cream Day!

3 AA Rosette The Restaurant at One Devonshire Gardens welcomes new Head Chef Martin Thliveros

One Devonshire Gardens by Hotel du Vin announces the return of Martin Thliveros as its new head chef, bringing with him a fresh approach to one of the city's top restaurants.

Impact Arts celebrates 30 years of changing lives in Scotland and puts the call out for stories

On 22 August, the team at Impact Arts will raise a glass to three decades of life-changing work, as Scotland's leading creative engagement charity prepares to mark its 30th anniversary.

VEGA Glasgow celebrates third anniversary with Notting Hill Carnival inspired brunch & free cake

This month, VEGA - Glasgow's destination bar, restaurant and bowling alley, is turning three.

Free gardening workshops at Dobbies for National Allotment Week

Dobbies is celebrating National Allotment Week by inviting gardening enthusiasts across the country to a series of free Grow How workshops throughout the month, focusing on allotment gardening.

Series of Creative Workshops Support Neurodivergent Young People Across Edinburgh This Summer

Neurodiversity charity Salvesen Mindroom Centre collaborates with local creative organisations to create opportunities and support the transition to life beyond school.

Glasgow Clan looking to find ice hockey stars of the future

The Glasgow Clan are aiming to produce their own ice hockey stars of the future.

Best selling novel The Girl on the Train starring Giovanna Fletcher comes to the stage at the Theatre Royal Glasgow

Actor, writer, broadcaster and 2020 I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here winner, Giovanna Fletcher is set to star as Rachel Watson in a new UK tour of The Girl on the Train!