We caught up with Hazel from Independent Arts Project on touring her new kids theatre shows to the Highlands of Scotland and how expectations have chimed with the experience so far… Read more below
How is touring going in the Highlands so far?
We’ve toured Maya and the Whale all over the country now, but it wasn’t until we reached Shetland that we found the real whale experts of Scotland. The audience knew exactly what to do if you find a beached whale. The play seems to resonate so beautifully throughout the Highlands. The themes chime with local interest and the discussions it sparks are fascinating.
Maya & The Whale
How have audiences related with Maya & The Whale?
To be honest I was a little nervous about how it would be received. I know there are so many controversial topics around Scotland’s energy transition, agriculture and fishing industries here – would speaking about climate activism touch a nerve? But so far, all the responses have been exceptionally warm, and people have been very moved by the play.
I’ve heard about seagrass growing projects, tree planting, local activism, marine preservation projects, paint sharing hubs and one kid was raising money to help local dolphins. I think people resonate with all the characters in the play who represent diverse views so it raises questions and can lead to a great opportunity for generations to listen to one another. This play is perfect for a teenage audience and anyone over 10, but adults have been enjoying it just as much as the young people and so I would encourage everyone from age 10 to 110 to come along.
Ideas Jukebox
And you have a new show too?
Yes, Ideas Jukebox is our new show so the Highland audiences are the first to see it. I am glad to report that we are having a lot of fun with it and it’s going down a treat! Some performances are for 0–5-year-olds and some are for 5-10-year-olds and the show works for both groups in different ways. The babies and wee ones love the music, the puppets and gentle style which is perfect for a wee one’s first theatre experience. They enjoy having a chance to interact with the materials afterwards and explore the materials through play. The older children tune into the humour and the themes and enjoy a subtle Minecraft joke or two.
The workshop becomes a hive of activity and is filled with the children’s wonderful ideas. These have included a donut mine cart, a nature queen, a make-it-right-robot and a monster that eats rubbish. The great thing about the show working on different levels is that the whole family can come and there’s something for everyone.
Where are you heading next?
We’re about to set sail to Orkney and then heading to Helmsdale before a wee break. Early next year you’ll find us in Inverness, Ullapool, Stornoway, Skye and North Uist. The hardest thing about touring the Highlands is that people come to see the show and then tell their friends how good it was, but by that time they have missed the chance to see it because we’ve already moved on. So you’ll have to trust the audiences who have come to see the show recently:
Audience responses to Maya and the Whale:
“I particularly enjoyed being given a role (the dying whale) as it meant that I was more invested. I enjoyed all the different passages, but the fact that it was driven by a very strong heart fullness was what made it. I thought the music was soulful and really reflected the presence of the whale. Fantastic.”
“This should be on the curriculum! Everyone needs to see it.”
Audience responses to Ideas Jukebox:
“I loved the puppets and my granddaughter loved the crafting. The following morning she was telling her parents about fat balls and that they must never put wet wipes down the toilet.”
“Interactive, funny for all ages”
“I loved the stories, such a clever way to get the message across”
“Lots of fun music, props, lights – kept both babies attention and fun for parents too”
These shows are part of SPLORE (North Scotland Children’s Theatre and Dance Network) which is a new consortium of venues and organisations dedicated to building relationships with families and young audiences in rural areas of North Scotland through the medium of theatre.
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