Details

Building on the success of the recent Transform season of work, Associate Producer Amy Letman will oversee FURNACE the Playhouse's new vehicle for developing ambitious projects. Conceived in collaboration with Artistic Director Ian Brown and General Director Sheena Wrigley, FURNACE has been created to support and nurture the work of bold theatre makers across West Yorkshire and beyond by providing access to the Playhouse's diversely experienced staff and facilities. FURNACE will become a platform for the trialling, testing and realisation of theatre, acting as part of an exploration into how a regional venue might create and produce new work. This season Leeds-based companies Slung Low and Unlimited Theatre will take the first steps in the development of two new projects, and the Playhouse invites audiences to be part of them from the very beginning. Original Bearings: a development showing by Slung Low. Our city is changing. Old mills converted into apartments, warehouses into clubs, arches into garages, wastelands appearing where once there were homes. There is story in this history. Did you know that the greatest cattle rustler of the 19th century died in Holbeck? Shot to death by a posse of angry farmers from Harrogate. In 1943 a Spitfire was forced to crash land not far from Water Lane, South Leeds after a brief dog-fight. The spitfire was on its way to Scotland, a squadron rotation, and as a result was being flown by a woman pilot. It caused quite a stir at the time. Performed in the open ORIGINAL BEARINGS is the first stage of a major new Slung Low adventure. Taking inspiration from the changes that our city has undergone, Slung Low will explore the history of Leeds and how the myths of a city are created, how the stories of a city are told. The Giant & The Bear: A Play-test workshop by Unlimited Theatre Unlimited will team up with circus artist Layla Rosa of acclaimed performance collective Shunt and games designers Hide&Seek to begin making a family adventure for players of all ages, experience and levels of daring. Featuring new versions of Old-Fashioned Games! Guided Mystery Tours! Hula Hooping! Roller Skating Bears, Angry Giants and Flying Ballerinas! All wrapped up in a story of love, courage and (hopefully!) escape. The full adventure will be ready to play next summer in and around Quarry Hill. But this autumn, Unlimited want the people of Leeds to help them make it. During FURNACE, they will run open workshops and play-testing sessions at West Yorkshire Playhouse, trying to help the Bear escape from the Giant.

Creatives/Company

Producer: West Yorkshire Playhouse
Company(s): Slung Low, Unlimited Theatre