Five Reasons to See … Albany Summer Arts Festival
Deptford’s Albany once again opens its doors from 1 to 19 August 2011 for its Summer Arts Festival – three week-long programmes of full on creative discovery for young people.
The Albany tell us what those involved can expect from the Summer Arts Festival’s theatre strand.
1. Three weeks of full on, creative discovery
The Albany have joined forces with top artists, performers and organisations who will work directly with young participants, creating a unique opportunity to meet and learn from leading performance practitioners.
2. Get hung up in the Albany theatre
Experience circus like never before with Upswing‘s aerial artist Vicki Amedume. Try your hand at bungee, harness and rope whilst exploring the meeting point between the worlds of circus and theatre.
Following events with the National Theatre’s “Watch this Space” as well as collaborating on National Theatre of Scotland’s Peter Pan, Upswing has established itself at the forefront of aerial interdisciplinary circus in the UK.
Earlier this year they performed their latest work titled Fallen, as part of The International Mime Festival at the Southbank Centre. Upswing return to the Albany this autumn.
3. Collaborate with an award winning playwright
Create an original script for your own short play with playwright and screenwriter Bola Agbaje.
Bola’s plays address issues of youth identity, stereotypes and culture. Her first play Gone Too Far! premiered at the Royal Court Theatre in London in 2007 and won the Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliated theatre. In 2008 she was also nominated for the Evening Standard’s Charles Wintour Award For Most Promising Playwright.
Bola has since gone on to write plays that have been performed at the Almeida and the Tricycle Theatre as well as her second play for the Royal Court – Off the Endz.
4. Be inspired by the young performers and theatre makers of tomorrow
Summer Arts celebrates young talent and is a unique opportunity for young people to get involved and explore different aspects of the performing arts industry. There is also the chance for participants to join the Albany’s new youth company.
For young people run by young people, the Albany Young Company will be similar to a youth theatre but will focus on all of the Albany’s art forms investing in long term development and nurturing the future faces of the performing arts industry.
A new focus, complimented by a new creative team, will see the Albany cement its position as one of London’s pioneering youth-led arts venues.
5. Recession friendly!
This year, the Albany is able to offer all of its Summer Arts activities for FREE!
The Albany’s Summer Arts Festival runs from 1 to 19 August 2011.
