A tale of two Newcastles
The idea was born to connect these two places through the stories and experiences of its people.
NEWCASTLE – One theatre piece, two international stages.
Two Newcastles is a newly-commissioned theatre production, which links the stories of Newcastle in KwaZulu-Natal, and Newcastle upon Tyne, in the United Kingdom.
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“The exciting thing for me is that Two Newcastles has really captured the imagination of people in the UK and South Africa, but also in other Newcastles,” said Mo Lovatt, the project manager. “We’re planning more arts (theatre, dance, song) projects for 2017/2018.”
During 2015, UK-based theatre company, Curious Monkey met with the Newcastle Arts Development Organisation (NADO) from South Africa.
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The idea was born to connect these two places through the stories and experiences of its people.
Buoyed by support and funding from both countries, work began on an international exchange, to develop a production to tour the UK and South Africa.
“Thanks to the ease of international communications, the two groups have been developing ideas for the theatre piece by cross-platform messaging on Facebook and WhatsApp. They have shared videos of their walk to work and filming their journeys as they go about their day. They have been asking questions about life in the ‘other Newcastle’, sharing stories and sings.”
This month, the NADO group visited Newcastle upon Tyne to further the production.
Following the South Africans return on August 14, the Tyneside group have a planned visit to KwaZulu-Natal next year.
“This is all part of the process which informs the work – how do we see our place in the world? How do other see it? How do we see their home?”
Curious Monkey is an award-winning company, which has gained critical acclaim for telling the hidden and deserving stories, and NADO is a group of township-based theatre makers, who produce quality works despite few resources.
“We can’t wait to see what emerges, as these Two Newcastles join together as one creative force.”
For more information on the project, or to discuss other arts and culture ideas, feel free to send an email to molovatt@hotmail.com.
Ms Lovatt concluded with thanks to the following organisations and people for their support and enthusiasm: Arts Council England, the Mayor of Newcastle, KZN, Waka Waka Africa North East, the Department of Libraries, Culture and Amenities, Newcastle Municipality, International Newcastle and The May Exchange.
