PRESS RELEASE: Hansel & Gretel, and Me in Scotland's woodlands

[Jan McNulty]

SCOTTISH BALLET’S HANSEL & GRETEL, AND ME

 

WOODLANDS PERFORMANCES

 

Hermitage of Braid woods, Braid Drive, EDINBURGH

29 March, 7.30pm

Ninewells Woods, Ninewells Hospital, DUNDEE

6 April at 8.30pm and 9.30pm

Film Installation, Eden Court, INVERNESS

10 April between 6 and 8pm

The Airthrey Aboretum, Stirling University Campus, STIRLING

13 April SOLD OUT

Craig Den Woods, ABERDEEN

14 April at 6pm

 

If you go down to the woods this spring you’re in for a big surprise as Scottish Ballet’s Hansel & Gretel, and Me project takes over the woodlands of Scotland in advance of the company’s world premiere of Hansel & Gretel later this year.

 

Taking place in five areas across Scotland the Hansel & Gretel, and Me woodlands performances see local participants presenting an exciting new dance piece following a series of creative workshops with Scottish Ballet’s education team, bushcraft specialists and Forestry Commission Scotland.

 

Using woodland spaces, and working with dance and tree sculptures and characters, participants will explore themes of journeys, adventure, empowerment, independence and ingenuity – all of which have been identified by Scottish Ballet’s Artistic Director Christopher Hampson as core to Scottish Ballet’s new production and it is intended that the workshop process and performances will inspire and inform the creative process of Hansel & Gretel.

Live performances by the participants will be held in Edinburgh, Dundee, Stirling and Aberdeen. A film installation (created by participants working with dance film artist Heather Eddington) will be shown in Inverness as part of a special Gingerbread House installation.

 

“We are delighted to be working in partnership with Forestry CommissionScotland and a range of local partners on this exciting woodlands performance project,” said Catherine Cassidy, Associate Director Education.

“We recognise the huge benefits of encouraging people to be active outdoors and engage with the local country side in new and imaginative ways.  Hansel & Gretel, and Me allows us to work creatively in inspirational and dramatic environments further enhancing the experience and range of skills participants will gain.”

 

James McDougall of Forestry Commission Scotland added: "Scotland's woodlands have so much to offer and are fantastic places for events celebrating the Year of Natural Scotland.

 

"Our partnership with Scottish Ballet is particularly special as it will bring together the best of culture and dance with communities in five woodland sites across Scotland.

"This community dance initiative marks a first for us and we are very excited that local people will help shape Scottish Ballet's Hansel & Gretel."

Please note that public performances are free but require guest list confirmation.  Members of the public should reserve a place by emailing education@scottishballet.co.uk or call 0141 331 6297.  Each performance will last around 20 minutes,
audience members should be prepared to stand in a woodlands environment for this time.

 

EDITOR’S NOTES
 

Hansel & Gretel, and Me is an exciting new project that connects creation to education and merges artistic expression with real life, giving communities across Scotland the chance to play a part in the creation of Scottish Ballet’s brand new production of Hansel & Gretel.

 

Working with schools, colleges, and partners including the National Galleries of Scotland, the National Library of Scotland and acclaimed author Louise Welsh as well as Forestry Commission Scotland on the above woodlands performances, Scottish Ballet’s Hansel & Gretel, and Me project will help generate ideas based on the classic Hansel & Gretel themes of loss, fear, betrayal, family, and much more, stretching from past to present.  

The project aims to nurture creativity and inspire an interest in the arts.  Scottish Ballet’s Education team is working with a selection of different communities, from inner cities and suburban areas to more remote parts of Scotland. The project will come together to help influence every aspect of Artistic Director Christopher Hampson’s new production, from the choreography to the costumes, and from storytelling to set design.

 

Scottish Ballet will premiere Artistic Director Christopher Hampson’s Hansel & Gretel in winter 2012/13.