A new theatre production by the region’s first youth led performance group, Dumfries and Galloway Ensemble, is set to take place in the historic Crypt at the Crichton Church.
Last month, over 30 young people from across Dumfries and Galloway took part in a 3-week performance intensive to create, design and produce a new piece of theatre called Offski as part of the celebrations for Scotland’s Year of Young People 2018.
The youth-led performance ensemble recently announced that the site-specific theatre piece will take place in the underground crypt of the Crichton Church at the end of the month, with multiple performances scheduled on the 26th, 27th and 28th October.
It will mark the very first time that the space has been used for a theatre show since its construction in the early 1800’s.
Young people from across the region, hailing from Kirkcudbright, Annan, Gate House of Fleet, Sanquhar, Dumfries, New Galloway, Castle Douglas, Dalbeattie and Lockerbie all contributed to the shape and design of the project.
They were mentored in a range of disciplines and producing skills which range from play-writing, choreography and devising to technical management and directing. Four young Associate Producers from Dumfries and Galloway are leading the immersive theatre project, helping to position themselves as the next generation of young producers in Scotland.
Graham Main, Executive Producer of Elektronika, who are producing the project said:
‘’Offski is helping us to uncover the next generation of young performers and producers in Dumfries and Galloway. We want them to recognise their potential to really make a difference in the regions cultural economy and to feel confident that there’s a home for young artists here.’’
Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s Director of Events, said:
“We are delighted to be supporting the Dumfries and Galloway Ensemble in staging their new production, Offski, as part of the Year of Young People 2018 celebrations. Offski promises to be a wonderful showcase of the region’s young people and their brilliant creative talents, both on stage and behind the scenes. They have played a central role in developing and producing this unique piece of theatre, it is fantastic to see Elektronika providing such a great opportunity for aspiring young artists.”
Offski is based around the imminent exit from the European Union, and how this might be viewed not only by Scotland and the world in 2018, but by the generations who came before us.
Chelsie Nash (18), who is a local actress from Dumfries and performs in the show, said:
‘’Offski is about a group of young people who fight back and refuse to let someone else make their decisions for them. It’s incredibly tense and with it being set in the Crypt of the Crichton Church, it really adds to the immersive atmosphere.’’
Tickets to the performance are now available from www.bigburnssupper.com and entry is free of charge.
The project is produced by award winning theatre makers, Electric Theatre workshop, producers of Big Burns Supper festival, Carlisle Fringe Festival, Le Haggis and Dumfries Youth Theatre.
The project is funded by the Year of Young People 2018 event fund managed by EventScotland, part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate, Awards for All, Holywood
Trust and is sponsored by Dumfries & Galloway College and the Crichton.
