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.”
Sponsored Links
Latest Fife News
French Film Festival UK 2024 Programme Announced
The French Film Festival UK have announced the 2024 programme with more than 200 screenings of 60 French-language films across more than 25 different locations.
READ MORE
Mogwai: If The Stars Had A Sound is coming to the cinema for one night only!
Lightbulb Film Distribution have announced that Mogwai: If The Stars Had A Sound will be released in UK & Irish cinemas for one night only on November 19th.
READ MORE
Dobbies offers free festive inspired workshops in November
Dobbies Garden Centres will host free festive-inspired events, giving people of all ages the chance to create garden-inspired gift ideas and Christmas decorations through fun, hands-on activities.
READ MORE
Huge Charity Partnership Between Cash For Kids and Three Major Seasonal Events
25p from every ticket sold for Fawkes Festival, Starry Nights at Dean Castle and the brand-new Starry Nights experience at Beecraigs Country Park will be donated to Cash for Kids.
READ MORE
Fife piper takes Glenfiddich Piping Championship title for second year running
Decorated piper Callum Beamount, from Guardbridge in Fife, made history in Perthshire last night when he was crowned overall winner at the esteemed Glenfiddich Piping Championship.
READ MORE
Become a ghost hunter as VisitScotland reveals the most haunted castles
The spooky season has arrived and VisitScotland reveals the most haunted castles and shares expert tips for capturing real ghosts.
READ MORE
Tickets go on sale for the largest wedding showcase in Scotland
Following a successful event at the SEC last weekend, tickets for the 2025 Scottish Wedding Show are on sale, giving brides and grooms-to-be the chance to secure tickets to the upcoming event.
READ MORE
People of Scotland invited to have their say on priorities for heritage in Scotland
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is looking to the people of Scotland for input on draft plan to help country’s heritage deliver real, lasting benefits for all.
READ MORE
New winners announced for the 2024 Specsavers Scottish Music Awards
With just over a week to go until the sold-out 2024 Specsavers Scottish Music Awards at Barrowland Ballroom, the prestigious awards ceremony has announced its latest winners.
READ MORE
The Crusoe unveils The Juan Fernandez Scottish Malt Whisky & Gin Bar
The Crusoe in Lower Largo, Fife has launched a Scottish malt whisky and gin bar, The Juan Fernandez, offering some of the best views in the region.
READ MORE
Scottish Institute prepares to welcome the next generation of performers
The Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film & Television is preparing to open its doors on 31st October, inviting potential future students to explore its state-of-the-art facilities.
READ MORE
Scottish community pubs to collect advent calendars for communities in need
17 Scottish community pubs are asking their customers to donate advent calendars this year so everyone gets a treat in the lead up to Christmas.
READ MORE
One week until Paisley Halloween Festival returns
Paisley Halloween Festival which comes back to town next week with some exciting event changes to celebrate its 10-year anniversary... here's everything you need to know!
READ MORE
SAY Award unveils bespoke glass prizes and Ceremony performances
The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award has revealed a first look at the remarkable sculpted glass prizes this year’s Shortlist will receive.
READ MORE
Celtic Connections to shine bright this winter as 2025 programme unveiled
The world’s leading folk, roots and world music festival Celtic Connections has unveiled its ambitious, multi-faceted programme for 2025.
READ MORE
Into Film Festival Scottish Programme Announced
Education charity, Into Film Scotland, has launched the 11th Into Film Festival programme and bookings are now live for this year’s exciting edition in November.
READ MORE
The Scottish Wedding Show rings in its return to Glasgow this October
Country's largest wedding showcase is back and giving Scots the chance to snap up free tickets.
READ MORE
October holiday fun for ALL the family at Loch Lomond Shores
Loch Lomond Shores has got the October school holidays sorted with loads to see and do – from pet friendly days out to breakfast with dinosaurs and loch tours and much more!
READ MORE
Garden Centre gives children a magical grotto experience
Dobbies Garden Centres is unveiling a magical line up of festive experiences for all the family to enjoy this Christmas, including the much-loved Grotto which is back with a brand-new look.
READ MORE
Sterling Home says thank you to customers with in store promotions to celebrate its 50th birthday
This weekend, Sterling Home is celebrating 50 years as Scotland’s leading family-owned home furnishing retailer with a series of exciting in-store promotions across all stores.
READ MORE
Spooky season brings iconic classics and horror hits to Vue venues in Scotland this Halloween
Some of the latest horror blockbusters, as well as creepy classics and enchanting family favourites, will be heading to the big screen at Vue this Halloween season!
READ MORE
Biggest number of Sands Ribbon Displays ever for Baby Loss Awareness Week
Bereaved parents and families across Scotland remember together all those lives lost too soon.
READ MORE
The biggest weekend in Scottish running has arrived!
Over 30,000 runners will participate in the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run this weekend, making it the biggest staging of the event yet!
READ MORE
Comedian Craig Hill takes his latest hit show out on tour across Scotland
Comedian Craig Hill takes his latest hit show, I've Been Sitting On This For A While!, out on tour across Scotland later this month!
READ MORE
Amazing Silent Discos is bringing retro silent disco to The Old Fruitmarket in Glasgow
After a string of sold-out events across the US, Amazing Silent Discos is bringing its unforgettable retro silent disco to the iconic Old Fruitmarket for one night only on Saturday 2 November!
READ MORE
Enjoy a SPOOKtacular half term with Stena Line
If you're looking for exciting ways to keep the kids entertained this half-term, look no further than Northern Ireland!
READ MORE
Van Gogh: Poets & Lovers comes to cinemas nationwide on 6th November
Exhibition on Screen brings the National Gallery's stunning Van Gogh exhibition to the big screen, along with a deep dive into his fascinating life and incredible skill.
READ MORE
Get ready for a great big Living History Week
Historical re-enactors will be heading to Historic Scotland sites across the country this October for this year's Great Big Living History Week!
READ MORE
SAY Award announce Shortlist and Modern Scottish Classic winner
The Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA) has today revealed the 10 Shortlisted albums now in the running for 2024’s Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award
READ MORE
Baby Loss Awareness Week unites bereaved families across the UK
People affected by pregnancy and baby loss will be joining together to take part in a range of activities to remember and talk about their babies this Baby Loss Awareness Week.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links