Articulture and the Wales Outdoor Arts Consortium (WOAC) have commissioned three new outdoor performance works for Wales, following a call out for interested artists earlier this year.
#OpenOut2023 offered three new commissions for artists in Wales who wanted to develop and tour new outdoor arts in Wales. Articulture wanted to work with artists who identified as Deaf or disabled, artists who wanted to create work exclusively in the Welsh language and one open commission for an artist with an idea for an outdoor arts project or performance living in Wales.
The successful three applications were chosen by the Wales Outdoor Arts Consortium, managed by Articulture and supported by the Arts Council of Wales, and will tour to WOAC member venues and festivals throughout Wales from July to September 2023.
“We were delighted and inspired by the range of diversity, ideas and art forms that came in as commissions this year. As the first point of contact for artists who apply its very exciting to talk to people about their ideas and see them develop into their final applications. It is also an inspiring insight into the talent growing and thriving in Wales.”
“We are looking forward to supporting the commissions in their journey around Wales to our partner festivals and venues over the summer and seeing them engage with their audiences and hone their shows.”
Julie Ann Heskin, Project Manager for #openout23 #agorallan23
Holes by Karina Jones
Performer Karina Jones is a visually impaired actor, aerialist, audio description consultant and vocal coach. ‘Holes’ is beautiful, fun, playful, participatory and provocative. Two women (aerial hoop artists) one blind, come across a hole in space. They tumble into it and guide us through their wondrous imaginative journey. Audio description is creatively embedded in the show.
“We are delighted to have the opportunity – through the Articulture Commission – to explore integrated creative audio description in our new aerial outdoor show, Holes.”
Howl by Claire Crook
Claire Crook is a Welsh speaking circus and theatre performer. ‘Howl’ is a moving and funny aerial theatre performance about a woman who spontaneously transforms into a werewolf. The performance will be part street show, part verbal storytelling, combining aerial and physical theatre with dance, text, an engaging interactive story.
“It’s very exciting to be awarded the WOAC Welsh language commission this year, I believe it is important that artists making ground-breaking work in Welsh are supported, not only to raise the profile of Welsh language work but also to showcase the talent and creativity in Wales.”
Swan in Love by Gary and Pel
Gary & Pel Live-Action Cartoon is a Cardiff-based outdoor performance company mixing slapstick comedy, physical theatre, circus, and adventure. ‘Swan in Love’ is a 45-minute walkabout spectacle featuring a recycled 7ft Swan Pedalo. Gary & Pel will be pedaling into the hearts of audiences; inviting them to slow dance, snap some piccys and even have a ‘romantic ride’ on the love boat itself.
“We’re so grateful to Articulture Wales for commissioning our new walkabout show ‘Swan in Love’. Its an idea thats been in development for over two years! we’re delighted to be finally touring our bonkers new venture across Wales.”
Performance Dates:
7-9 July Beyond the Border Festival (Holes)
7-9 July Dance Days, Swansea (Holes, Howl + Swan in Love)
15-16 July Tafwyl, Cardiff (Swan in Love)
22 July RhythmAYE!, Bangor (Holes)
22 & 23 July Big Splash, Newport (Holes + Swan in Love)
2 Aug Cwmcarn Forest, Caerphilly (Swan in Love)
3 Aug Morgans Jones’ Park, Caerphilly (Howl)
7, 10 & 11 August National Eisteddfod, Boduan (Holes, Swan in Love + Howl)
22, 30 August Bryngarw Country Park, Bridgend (Holes, Howl)
31 August Scolton Manor, Pembrokeshire (Howl)
23 September Aberystwyth Arts Centre (Swan in Love)
More dates to be confirmed.
