Explorers, polar bears, a dog called bog and a wee cheeky penguin…

Polar Molar is macrobert’s Christmas show for 3 to 5 year olds this winter and well, it’s just lovely! Written by Abigail Docherty and directed by Lu Kemp, this magical adventure has a clear sense that the environment is important and shouldn’t be destroyed and yet still full of silliness. Thom Dibdin from The Stage describes Polar Molar as “a charmingly imaginative adventure” you can read the full review here.

SO… It’s the year 2020. Captain Scot Scott and his dog Dogbog have been sent on a mission to find the last polar bear. But no one has seen a polar bear in years – they don’t know what it looks like or how to find it. You, the audience are the little huskies that help Captain Scot Scott drive the snowmobile and encounter some cheeky animals along the way…

Running until 31st December 2011

Still some tickets left, grab yours now online here or call us on 01786 466666

Cracking reviews for macrobert’s panto

Jackie and the Beanstalk is up and running and well it’s just pure magic! Receiving 4 star reviews from both The Herald and The Guardian there really is no excuse not to come along…

“a panto with its finger on today’s pulse” Mary Brennan, The Herald, read full review here

“If anyone still thinks panto is a throwback to a misogynist past, they need to take a look at the macrobert’s glorious giant-slaying romp” Mark Fisher, The Guardian, read full review here

“an entertaining, intelligent celebration and deconstruction of the traditional Scottish pantomime.” The Stage, read full review here

“a lively, rollicking show, with plenty of fine panto qualities” The Scotsman

Writer, director and star of this year’s panto, Johnny McKnight tells Stirling Observer;

“Well for me, when setting about writing this year’s panto, my first issue was that, traditionally, Jack and the Beanstalk is usually very male-heavy in terms of casting: Dame, Jack, his brother, the baddie, the baddie’s sidekick,”

“I really wanted to try and push more females into the story.” Read more of the interview here.

Make sure you get your tickets and see this hilarious, magical, raunchy and festive pantomime and fill your family full of festive happiness

Jackie and the Beanstalk runs until 7th January 2012

www.macrobert.org/panto

Meet the panto cast…

Jonathan Holt,  last year’s Prince Rupert Charming Darling will be starring in macrobert’s panto Jackie and the Beanstalk this year as the baddy! We asked Jonathan to tell us a bit about himself, so have a read and you will see he really isn’t a baddy at heart…

First theatre stage you stood on?  His Majesty Theatre, Aberdeen.
Last stage you stood on before the pantomime? The Traverse, Edinburgh.

First childhood memory? Two massive hands!

Best moment on stage? First standing ovation.

Most funny thing that’s happened to you on stage? Corpsing in a serious scene.

Last form you filled out? Tax return.

First job? Mace, shelf stocker.

First thing you think about each day? My bed.

First thing you do each morning? Get out of bed.

Last song you listened to? Alive, Pearl Jam.

First show you fell in love with? Les Miserables, I was 10.

First big disappointment? Les Miserables, it wasn’t the original cast.

First lesson learnt? Shoe laces probably or walking actually came first.

Last lesson learnt? How to tie my shoe laces and walk after a few nippy sweeties.

Last really good meal you ate? Aberdeen Angus fillet steak.

First pantomime you saw? Jack and the Beanstalk.

Favourite place in Scotland? Any good pub with good friends.

Last creation? A monster.

First thing you quit? My high pressured job in the city, I was 6 ½.

First guilty pleasure? Last of the Summer Wine, I was 6 ¾.

Favourite prop used on stage? Assault rifle.

Last impulse-buy? The Best of the Replacements, music album.

Last thing you did for the sake of the environment? Turned off the generator I use to power my giant neon self portrait.

Last time you had to eat humble pie? Not a fan of pudding.

Last argument? 1993, it was over a bag of Skips.

Last thing you’ll ever do? Breathe.

Last request? Some sort of breathing apparatus.

A quote that inspired you? Climb, climb up sunshine mountain, where the little daisies grow.

Last (famous) words? Our own question, if you have one! I came, I saw, I bought the T-Shirt, took it home, tried it on, it didn’t fit, took it back, got a refund and went to the pub.

Jonathan in macrobert’s panto Snow White  of the Seven De’Wharffs 2010

Jackie and the Beanstalk 2011/2012 is on sale now, for more information and online booking head to macrobert’s website.

Markus Stitz on Mind Walking…

‘The longer you stay here, the more you forget who you were, the more you become to know who you are.’

This quote was scribbled on a wall in a rather lonely mountain hut in New Zealand. A hut on a wall in a country. A country I lived in for only two years of my life, much shorter than the time I spent in Scotland and much less than I have spent in the place I was born in, Germany. But somehow it beautifully describes with a few words what happens to you once you decide to leave known waters and venture out into the world.

Writing down some thoughts in this blog was triggered by a show coming to macrobert this Friday 28 October. Mind Walking reflects the problems and opportunities connected with our own cultural identity that we experience living away from the place we were born in. It tells the story of an elderly relative growing old in a foreign country, now suffering from Alzheimers, who is trying to relive his early, hitherto unknown, life. But apart from the interesting subject matter it also contains aerial pieces, something I am really looking forward to see. You can find out yourself by reading this review first and find out more about the show on the macrobert website.

The deeper meaning behind the show got me to reflect on my own personal experience living abroad ever since I left university in 2006, first in New Zealand, then Scotland, again in New Zealand and finally again in Scotland from mid 2009. I was trying to reflect on the opportunities and problems that eventually come with your decision to leave friends and family behind to explore the world, but at this moment in time I simply haven’t got the time to write them all down, but just some instead.

Overall it has been a great experience, I would not radically change the decisions if I would have to make them again. It will be an experience to see the show tomorrow to explore how much of my own personal findings are reflected in there. In my case I have developed a whole new cultural identity for myself, containing bits from my time in Germany, but also heavily influenced by the last five years abroad. I have become to hate the term foreigner, as it puts you in a box with many others that might be totally different from yourself. I am still struggling to apply the term home to any of the countries, and I will possibly do that all my life. Any time I go back to visit people in Germany I get this strange feeling you get once you leave nice people behind, but I am also glad to head back to my ‘normal life’ in Scotland. Life abroad comes with many opportunities, but also sacrifices. Maybe this is as much as needs telling at this stage. Every time you see a ‘foreigner’ keep in mind that there is a unique history behind any person. The best way to find this out is asking questions. The longer you ask questions, the more you forget who you thought this person would be. And the more you become to know who you are.

Fri 28 Oct 7.30pm / Tickets (friends) £9.50 / £12 full / £9 conc / £7 U18 & students

More information and online booking here

Markus Stitz, macrobert marketing manager – check out Markus’ blog here.

iRIDE: Pedal Driven and more delights on the big screen, not only for lovers of two wheels

iRIDE has been going for a while at macrobert, and we have some good movies heading towards Stirling in the next months. The first one will be at macrobert’s filmhouse this Wednesday 19 October at 7.30pm. If you are a keen mountain biker like me, or even a freerider (I am not there yet), you might know the ongoing argument about who owns the forest. Pedal Driven is a bikumentary that digs deeper into the issue, following freeriders in Washington always on the lookout for rangers threatening their trails. The film will give a good insight into both sides and their arguments and take you behind this confrontation, trying to offer a solution how opposing fractions can find common ground in the defence of the beauty of hills and forests. Knowing from experience how difficult that or any consensus can be when it comes to mountain biking, I am interested in the answers the film might have, as the trailer ends with a pretty bold statement: more than a movie, a movement. I am keen to find out myself, and the take the mountain bike out for a ride!

The Hunted – review from our Drama Artist

An eerie atmosphere descends into the theatre when the house lights go out and the only thing we see are dimly lit bulbs hanging from the stage. The bulbs illuminate a mysterious place: the forest, a place of intrigue, the unknown, a place filled with  suspense, desire and fear. And so begins the atmospheric and bold reworking of Red Riding Hood by the award winning and ambitious Visible Fictions.

“Once upon a time” the actors begin before quickly telling us that this is not ‘once upon a time’ like other fairy tales. This tale is of any time, of now. And it’s not simply about a girl who walks into a forest on her way to granny’s, but about us, you and me, and the choices we do or don’t take.

Meet the girl. She wants to be a hunter. So the hunter takes her on as his apprentice as they go in search of the infamous white wolf that lives in the forest. But her decision, having been led by her desires, has her begin a journey that sees her being the apprentice-hunter to becoming the hunted. It’s tense, pacey and, aptly, captivating.

The presence of the wolf is subtly played by each of the three performers, in turn prowling the back of the stage – a neat device evoking a real sense that the wolf is very near, too near even.

The play also cleverly uses a kaleidoscope. Look into and turn a kaleidoscope you’ll see the pieces fall to create different possible images. With The Hunted, the analogy is clear – the choices we make, even the most insignificant, create different possible worlds. It is with the kaleidoscope that the girl reveals an ending with an unsuspected twist. Closer to reality than you might first imagine…

The Hunted. I dare you to enter the forest…

Thu 13 & Fri 14 Oct 7.30pm
playhouse
Approx. 1 hr 10 min
Tickets (friends) £9.50 / £12 full / £9 conc / £7 U18 & students
Suitable for ages 11+

More information and online booking here

Uncharted Waters review from ambassador Tom

Uncharted Waters contains three stories that explore how human beings can become trapped by the struggles of life.

The first sequence successfully creates an image of sailors caught in a storm. I was particularly impressed by the use of props and minimal staging to create the setting of a ship.  The dancers utilise a central pole to climb to an elevated level, to signify shipmates battling the elements.  It was enjoyable watching the dancers running up and down the pole without the help of any harnesses or supports.

The dance then moves onto a solo performance by a male dancer who is trying to discover his true sexuality. One of the most effective parts of this sequence is when he has to conform rather than truly express his emotions.  This idea develops into a moving depiction of the struggle against perceptions that takes place in the world around us.

The dance enters the last stage where a dancer twists and turns from tight ropes in order to break free. It could represent a foetus being liberated from the womb continuing the motif of life’s struggles and Mans attempt to break free that forms a central theme of the dance. I enjoyed these sequences and was pleased with the skill of the dancing, which led to a successful performance and an enjoyable experience for the audience.

Coming to macrobert Wednesday 28 September, 7.30pm. More info and online booking here.

Artistic Director Sonia Sabri on Kathakbox

Artistic Director Sonia Sabri:  “Kathakbox is a dialogue, rather than a fusion, of artistic disciplines, a poem, capturing a thought about our identity, separation and togetherness and how we relate to others.  Audiences here and abroad really respond to the underlying emotional content of the work, as well as appreciating the diversity of the company and the unique talents of each performer.   Working with hip hop we have found so many parallels with kathak; hip hop is raw, informal, spontaneous which is how kathak was originally and still is in many contexts in India.

“We recently performed Kathakbox in Jordan where audiences loved the non-instrumental aspect – how we create a rich sound without using musical instruments.  They were rapping along with the show right to the end – we didn’t feel a language barrier at all!”

Birmingham-based Sonia Sabri is currently the only professional female Kathak dancer who was born and entirely trained in the UK.  She has been performing since the age of 14 and founded the Sonia Sabri Company in 2002 with the aim of presenting Kathak dance in a new light, reflecting both Indian and British culture.  As a performer, choreographer and artistic director Sonia provides a positive role model for how performing arts can be inspired by and used to engage with issues such as faith, gender, motherhood and relationships.  Sonia is committed to nurturing the next generation of dancers and established Kathakaars, a creative forum for emerging dancers and musicians in Indian classical forms.

Kathakbox is comingn to macrobert this Friday, 23rd September at 7.30pm. Make sure you get along to see this wonderful, exciting fusion.

Tickets £9.50 (friends) / £12 (full) / £9 (conc) / £7 Students and U18s

More info and online booking here.

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macrobert Autumn – Winter 2011 season released…

Finally! I can now let you know about the wonderful, touching, macigal, hilarious season we have lined up for you all and let me asure you, you will not be disappointed, just read on…

We kick start the season on the 1st September with Tenorissimo! Three tenors in Concert, Geoffrey Coles, James Fitzgerald and Morgan Lee James. From Bring Him Home (Les Miserables) through The Barber of Seville and Lloyd Webber’s Music of the Night to Nessun Dorma this wonderful show is sure to captivate and delight all who love light opera, musicals and songs from the shows.

Leading on from Tenorissimo! is stunning dance from SmallpetitKlein who created Falling Man a dance piece inspired by Richard Drew’s iconic photograph The Falling Man, and the 9/11 events. “I am honoured and humbled that your company has chosen my photograph as inspiration for your work”, R. Drew.

This is only to kick start the season – September is jam packed with even more peformances, from the likes of MsFits with Mad, Bad and Danergous to Know a hilarious one wowan show,  Zoe Gilby’s Jazz Quintet, Fire Exit present Untitled Love Story written by David Leddy, From Andly Manley and Starcathers comes My House for the kids, Sonia Sabri with Kathakbox which brings together Indian Kathak dance’s grace and vigour and the rhythms & rhymes of Hip Hop culture and all of this is only the first half of September… there is so much more you need to come along and see, check out the full listings here and keep an eye on our blog for even more information.

You can also receive all this information and more straight to your inbox by signing up to macrobert’s weekly e-newsletter, do this here and keep completely up-to-date with all things macrobert.

Guest blogger – Treehouse Manager about creative dance opp…

Can’t wait for “Seasonal” -  creative dance workshop to start! – this will be a fun hour each session for the children to unleash their creativity through dance!

Working with Rosina will be a blast – lots of fun and heaps of energy! This week will be a great opportunity for the children to work alongside not only Rosina Bonsu but other dancers from Reid Kerr College. This workshop was inspired to begin with by the treehouse garden project. For anyone who doesn’t know the treehouse garden is a small space below the treehouse window which with help from treehouse staff, children and a green fingered macrobert duty manager was transformed into a great quiet, peaceful, tidy and nurtured space where the children from treehouse regularly plant and grow!
When the “insert title” project was launched treehouse staff jumped at the opportunity to work with Rosina – having worked together in the past we knew any children involved in any of her workshops would have an exciting fun time learning from one of the best! “Seasonal” will incorporate music from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and will capture the children’s imagination and creative ideas for dance and movement.  Roll on Tuesday 26th July!