Leeds Playhouse is celebrating new work by new artists in a kaleidoscopic showcase of performances, workshops, conversations and social events as part of its week-long Furnace Festival.
This eclectic, engaging and experimental festival is a key part of the ongoing Furnace programme, which is the Playhouse’s development engine, generating and creating new performance work while supporting and nourishing the local creative community.
All the events are either free or pay-what-you-can.
Amy Leach, Associate Director at Leeds Playhouse, said: “After a two-year hiatus, we are thrilled to once again be able to invite audiences to Furnace Festival – our celebration of the new work, artists and partnerships we develop through our wider Furnace programme. Our aim, as always, is to entertain, challenge and inspire with a fascinating programme of performances, workshops, conversations and social events.
“After the year we’ve all had, it feels particularly important for us to look to the future, to reignite people’s passion for new work and to introduce them to fresh ideas from a creative chorus of new voices.â€
Highlights of the Furnace Festival:
Let’s Talk
Tuesday 9 November, 10.30am
A panel discussion with Disability Arts Online and Leeds Playhouse’s Associate Director Amy Leach discussing access and work by disabled artists within the theatre. This is a chance for people to ask questions and air their views in a safe and supportive atmosphere. Hosted by Paul Wilshaw, Ramps on the Moon Agent for Change at Leeds Playhouse and board member of Disability Arts.
Papatango
9–13 November, while Box Office is open (currently 10am–3pm)
Audio versions of the three winners of the 2021 Papatango Prize in partnership with Papatango and ETT that festival-goers will be able to enjoy on tablets provided by Box Office or on their own devices. By turns poignant, funny and captivating, the plays represent the very best of new writing. Selected from 1,410 entries, the winners are: Nkenna Akunna for Some Of Us Exist In The Future; Tajinder Singh Hayer for Ghost Stories From An Old Country; Tom Powell for The Silence and The Noise.
Pursuit of Perfection
10 November, 7pm
A work-in-progress sharing of a new dance-theatre show by dancer Louisa Keohane and Director Jamie Fletcher. Through a mixture of contemporary dance, verbatim text, integrated creative BSL and storytelling, this dynamic and thought-provoking performance tells the true story of a dancer’s personal journey with anorexia. There will be a post-show discussion with the creative team, in which audience feedback and reactions will be used to develop the next stage of this exciting show.
Introduction to Design
10 November, 4–6pm
A free hands-on workshop run by Leeds Playhouse’s Resident Designer Warda Abbasi and Associate Director Amy Leach, discussing what it means to be a designer and the designer-director relationship. Participants will also be given the opportunity to start creating their own costume or set design using simple art materials.
How to be a Better Human
11 November, 7pm
This spoken word comedy, performed by Chris Singleton and directed by Tom Wright, is about grief, loss and self-acceptance. Chris reveals how he lost two of the biggest relationships in his life – his dad and his wife – in the space of a few months. It finds lightness and humour in death, loss and divorce, exploring how they help us to become more empathic, connected and understanding.
Developing Your Ensemble Practice
11 November, 4–6pm
A workshop for artists across disciplines looking to develop their physical theatre practice and experience working in an ensemble. Director and practitioner Sameena Hussain will lead an inclusive movement-based session for actors, directors, dancers and other artists looking for space to reconnect with their body, find new ways to tell stories, and collaborate with other theatre-makers.
Scratch
12 November, 7pm
An evening of raw and developing work in which the audience is invited to support local artists by providing feedback. Four local artists and companies will share up to twenty minutes of work in development before asking how the audience thinks the piece ought to progress. Previous Scratch sharings have gone on to tour the UK and be programmed across the country.
Meet the Writer – Tajinder Singh Hayer
12 November, 1pm
Papatango Prize Winner Tajinder Singh Hayer talks about writing audio drama Ghost Stories from an Old Country, their journey as a writer, applying for the Papatango Prize, and the things they’ve learned about audio drama in the last year. There will be an opportunity for the audience to ask questions about the writing process and about the play.
Freelancer Work Hub
12 November, 10am–1pm
Freelance artists are encouraged to bring a laptop, grab a brew, pull up a pew and use the Playhouse’s Level 2 Mezzanine as an informal shared working space. It’s a great chance to get to know some of the theatre’s staff, as well as other local artists and theatre-makers.
Choreographic Research Lab
13 November, 10.30am
A creative workshop facilitated by Choreographer Bakani Pick-Up, exploring how movement and composition work in real time through improvisation, and how dance and movement practice can be used to instigate and depict experience through physical expressions. This is an open level class suitable for all levels of dance experience (ages 18+).
Me, Myself and Misha
13 November, 2pm
A heartfelt, autobiographical work presented by Terpsichoring Dance Company, devised and performed by award-winning dance artist Ana Silverio. The show explores the emotional journey one woman goes on to become a mother. Universal themes of pregnancy and labour are presented using a mix of physical theatre and dance, alongside an original and moving musical score.
Workshop with Theatre State and Young Artist Activists
13 November, 4–6pm
Working with Writer and Director Tess Seddon (whose unlikely journey into politics in 2017 inspired new musical Say Yes to Tess), a group of creative young activists from Seacroft have been documenting their access-all-areas journey into UK politics – visiting Parliament, meeting MPs, interviewing high-profile politicians and galvanising their peers. This creative workshop explores their journey they are going on and the artistic process it is shaping.
Dream Reality Radio Live
13 November, 7pm
A collaboration between Sol B River and Leeds Playhouse, Dream Reality Radio, directed by Dermot Daly, gives early career writers the chance to write, develop and showcase their first radio play. Eight West Yorkshire-based writers have worked with dramaturgs, psychotherapists, BBC producers and each other to create pieces that will be recreated live on stage as a radio play.
FURNACE FESTIVAL
Leeds Playhouse
8 – 13 November
Book online at leedsplayhouse.org.uk
Box office 0113 213 7700
