NEWS – 15 Oct 2021
Aberdeen Performing Arts, Capital Theatres & Eden Court Highlands Announce The Three Successful Applicants To The Festive Early Years Commission With Shows Presented This Christmas
News – 15 Oct 2021
Earlier this year, three of Scotland’s largest cultural organisations joined forces to offer a unique, multi-year commission to create and produce three small-scale festive productions for early years audiences, each to be presented in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Inverness between Christmas 2021 and Christmas 2023. A panel representing all three organisations has awarded commissions to the following productions:
- Raw Material presents UNICORN CHRISTMAS PARTY which will open at The Lemon Tree in Aberdeen this Christmas
- Scottish Theatre Producers presentsTHE ENORMOUS CHRISTMAS TURNIP which will open at Capital Theatres’ Studio in Edinburgh this Christmas
- Barrowland Ballet presents THE GIFT which will open at Eden Court Highlands this Christmas
Raw Material presents
UNICORN CHRISTMAS PARTY
The Lemon Tree, Aberdeen
Sat 4 – Thu 23 December 2021
Join glittering, magical unicorns Melody and Luna, as they bring a little winter sunshine, moonlight, good times and lots of boogie into everyone’s lives, with easy-to-follow dance moves and a soundtrack of Christmas hits. Find your inner unicorn!
The Unicorns, Sarah-Rose Graber and RuxyCantir said:
“We are thrilled to be bringing our brand-new show Unicorn Christmas Party to The Lemon Tree. After the success of our summer tour of Unicorn Dance Party we can’t wait to get into the holiday spirit with our favourite Christmas tunes, stunning visuals, and fun dances for the whole family! There’s going to be a lot of hand clapping and tail shaking. But most importantly, we’re proud to be making work that is welcoming audiences safely back into the theatre and spreading some joy and sparkle during the most wonderful time of the year!”
Raw Material said:
“Raw Material is delighted to be getting our sparkle on over the festive period with our Unicorn friends Melody and Luna and to be supporting live performance in Aberdeen, Inverness and Edinburgh over the next three years.”
Scottish Theatre Producers presents
THE ENORMOUS CHRISTMAS TURNIP
The Studio, Edinburgh
Fri 17 – Fri 31 December 2021
Help two playful bunnies get ready, set, and grow growgrow – but what happens when one vegetable grows a little too big…?
Rabbits get a bad rap. Everyone thinks they steal your carrots and poo everywhere.
Well, these rabbits are growing their own delicious vegetables for a great big festive feast and there’ll be plenty for everyone!
That’ll be a turn-ip for the books!
Join us for a magical, musical rollercoaster of a Christmas dinner party like no other!
Sarah Gray from Scottish Theatre Producers said:
“We are delighted to have been chosen to create an early years commission for these three venues with The Enormous Christmas Turnip. Ivor MacAskill, Fiona Manson and I have been working together for almost a decade, creating shows for young children, and we especially love having the chance to create new Christmas productions. We can’t wait to get back into a rehearsal room along with the wonderful Ailie Cohen as our designer. We’re ready to take this classic story and turn(ip) on its head to bring you a brand new version, full of music, dancing and Christmas magic!”
Barrowland Ballet presents
THE GIFT
Eden Court Highlands, Inverness
Tue 14 – Thu 23 December 2021
A shiny new toy. A mountain of discarded wrapping. A lonely child.
Have you ever wondered why packaging and cardboard boxes are the most fun?
Is the true gift the joy that can come from the imagination?
This is a story reversing the idea that it is the wrapping paper, the cardboard boxes and the bubble wrap that should be discarded, and reveals that playfulness, creativity and imagination are the true gifts.
Barrowland Ballet said:
“We are delighted to have received this commission from three such wonderful and well-loved theatre venues. We can’t wait to create and present a magical festive show to enchant and thrill young audiences and their families over the next three years.
All three productions are commissioned by Aberdeen Performing Arts, Capital Theatres and Eden Courtand are funded through Creative Scotland’s Performing Arts Venues Relief Fund.
Jane Spiers, Chief Executive Officer, Aberdeen Performing Arts, said:
“I am delighted that we have been able to team up with these two wonderful organisations to support home-grown talent and bring three fresh, exciting new productions to children and families across Scotland. We could not be more excited to have Unicorn Christmas Party coming to the Lemon Tree this Christmastime, it is sure to bring a splash of colour, fun and lots of glitter to our festive programme.”
Fiona Gibson, Chief Executive, Capital Theatres, said:
‘We’re thrilled to be working in partnership to create new touring pathways in Scotland and support freelance artists as the sector gets back on its feet after COVID. This will be the first time we’ve commissioned new work for young children in our Studio and it kicks off an ambitious vision to make the venue a home for Scottish talent and new stories. We can’t wait to see the space full of young children enjoying some festive magic in the shape of The Enormous Christmas Turnip.”
James Mackenzie-Blackman, Chief Executive, Eden Court, said:
“We were delighted to receive such high calibre applicants for our festive commissions and very much look forward to welcoming Barrowland Ballet to the Highlands this Christmas. We have already been inspired by their creative vision for The Gift and are excited to present the show for wee ones and their grown-ups this festive season at Eden Court.”
