Current affairs are a major inspiration behind a new piece of political theatre by Scottish Youth Theatre National Ensemble 2019
How tech giants use our online activity is the subject of a new ground breaking theatre production touring Scotland this July!
Article Source: Scottish Youth Theatre
Last Updated: 9 July 2019 7:39
This summer, a company of 20 radical young artists will tour a new production which will make us think twice the next time we go online.
Act of Repair began life when the company was tasked with discussing the subject of Brexit. They initially explored the allegations that the campaign used online technology to influence public opinion. This led them on a creative journey of investigation, featuring talks by guest-speakers plus plenty of research including reading The Age of Surveillance Capitalism: The Fight for a Human Future at the New Frontier of Power- a ground-breaking book by academic Shoshana Zuboff.
In May, the company announced their summer production would be Act of Repair, which will tour Scotland in July thanks to support from Creative Scotland’s Open Project Fund. The piece is devised and performed by the company and Ensemble member Hannah Hassan (23) from Bute explains more about what the audience can expect: “Nearly everyone has signed up to aps, social media and search engines. They ask us to agree to the terms and conditions – a wee box that most of us tick without even reading the T & Cs. When we discussed this as a group, one company member said – I know that company are using my data - but so what? Act of Repair explores the so what.”
The subject has been in the news recently, with Facebook in-particular being scrutinised for how it has been used to provide a platform for political influencers or sinister forces. The subject was investigated in more detail by Shoshana Zuboff’s book which was a major inspiration to the group as Hannah explains: “In the past, capitalism has involved us engaging as customers. But in this new data age, we are no longer the customers – we are the raw materials.”
The role of Director of Act of Repair has been assumed by Brian Ferguson – a face more familiar to Scottish audiences for his acting career on stage and screen. Last year he took the title role in the National Theatre of Scotland’s production of Cyrano de Bergerac. More recently he graced the silver screen in the Scottish film Beats and television audiences will know him from The Victim, Trust Me, Line of Duty, Doctors and Outlander to name just a few of his credits. He has also appeared in acclaimed productions by the RSC, the Bush Theatre and the Royal Court. On choosing the Scottish Youth Theatre National Ensemble for his major directorial debut, Brian explains: “I began my journey as an actor at Scottish Youth Theatre when I attended their Summer Courses when I was younger, so I’m delighted to be returning to where it all started for me.
Plus I was really drawn to the opportunity to work with a large ensemble. As an artist I’ve always sought out ensemble work – the idea that everyone in the room has a voice and has ownership of the piece. The age group of this company was really interesting to me. Young people aged 16 - 25 from across Scotland forming their opinion about what theatre should be and what it should do is so inspiring. So I was delighted when I was invited to be the Director of the 2019 company.”
Despite exploring technological forces and capitalism, Brian says the show won’t be hugely technical or futuristic; “The focus will be on storytelling. Our intention is that we use the whole of the Ensemble, filling the stage with lots of voices.”
The National Ensemble 2019 is the latest incarnation of Scottish Youth Theatre’s flagship project which was launched in 2017, as Creative Producer Mahri Reilly explains; “The National Ensemble is made up of 20 emerging artists who are selected every year from auditions across Scotland. They are chosen for their exceptional potential as performers and theatre makers.
“This year’s company represents the wealth of artistic talent Scotland has to offer with artists from Bute, Inverness, Arbroath, Aberdeenshire, Edinburgh, Fife, Renfrewshire and Clydebank to name just a few. I’m confident that this year’s company will continue to deliver the high standard of theatre that has been established by previous Ensembles.”
Act of Repair opens at CCA in Glasgow on Friday 19 July and will tour to Eden Court Theatre (Inverness), The Lemon Tree (Aberdeen), Theatre Royal Dumfries and McLaren High School as part of Callander Summerfest.
More information can be found at www.scottishyouththeatre.org.
Sponsored Links
Latest Renfrewshire News
Award winning show Stuntman comes to Paisley Arts Centre
Award-winning Scottish company SUPERFAN will bring their high-octane smash hit Edinburgh Fringe show Stuntman to Paisley Arts Centre on Wednesday 17th September!
READ MORE
Spooky season returns to town with the announcement of Paisley Halloween Festival 2025
Paisley Halloween Festival will return to town next month to celebrate the spooky season with a packed programme of frightful fun for all the family!
READ MORE
Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival returns for its 12th edition
Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival returns for its 12th edition on the big screen in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling and Inverness from 1st to 19th October 2025.
READ MORE
Cineworld 4DX Rewind returns for 2025
Cineworld is excited to announce the return of 4DX Rewind this September across Cineworld 4DX cinemas nationwide!
READ MORE
Final countdown to the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run 2025 is on
Scotland's greatest running event, the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run, will return to Glasgow next month, and there’s still time to secure your place.
READ MORE
Marstons and Tom Shepherd join forces once more to serve up the best ever pub pie
Marston's and Michelin-starred chef Tom Shepherd have teamed up once more to serve up The Best Ever Pub Pie to locals across the country.
READ MORE
Edinburgh Fringe smash hit Oran embarks on first UK tour
Òran, the award-winning sell-out hit of the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe embarks on its first ever UK tour this autumn as company Wonder Fools take their work to a host of venues across Scotland.
READ MORE
M&Ds teams up with Zombie Infection for a heart pounding, live action horror attraction
M&D's is set to transform into Scotland's Scream Park with the launch of Zombie Checkpoint, a live action immersive horror experience creating a heart racing adventure not for the faint hearted.
READ MORE
Iconic films to take centre stage at Vue venues in Scotland
Iconic movies celebrating key milestones this year are returning to Vue for a limited run - including Steven Spielberg classic Jaws.
READ MORE
20 expert sessions at The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show
The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show will be packed with expert speakers when it returns to the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston on 4th – 5th October 2025.
READ MORE
A Taste of Loch Lomond Book launches with live cooking demo at the Loch Lomond Food & Drink Festival
Love Loch Lomond will officially launch its new publication, A Taste of Loch Lomond – Stories and Flavours from the Bonnie Banks, at the Loch Lomond Food & Drink Festival on Sunday 7th September.
READ MORE
Seriously fun ideas for your work Christmas Party
It might only be September, but the C-word is not too far away, so it's time to start thinking about planning the annual office Christmas shindig before everything gets booked up!
READ MORE
Winners of the 2025 Love Paisley Star Awards unveiled
The winners of this year's Love Paisley Star Awards have been announced.
READ MORE
Business Gateway launches its first ever Scottish Start Up Month
Business Gateway, Scotland's national business support service, has launched Scottish Start-Up Month, a nationwide campaign to celebrate Scotland's entrepreneurial spirit.
READ MORE
Young people bring colour to Paisley through new murals
Young people have created three vibrant new murals to transform an area of Seedhill, Paisley.
READ MORE
Iconic buildings across Renfrewshire set to welcome visitors for Doors Open Days 2025
Spectacular venues from across Renfrewshire will welcome visitors as part of this year's Doors Open Days.
READ MORE
Fresh new line up for one of the biggest FREE food and drink festivals in Scotland
Vikings, a pie eating competition, new celebrated chef and dog & duck shows set to bring new energy to Loch Lomond Food and Drink Festival this September.
READ MORE
From pouring pints to the red carpet: The Scottish Bar and Pub Awards 2025 crowns its hospitality stars!
The winners of the 2025 Scottish Bar & Pub Awards were unveiled on the 26th of August at a glittering, Oscars-themed ceremony held at the Doubletree by Hilton, Glasgow.
READ MORE
Best Croissant Competition returns for 2025
The Edinburgh Butter Company has announced the return of its ‘Scotland’s Best Croissant’ competition on Monday 13th October.
READ MORE
GlasGLOW announces all new show for 2025, inspired by the legendary 80s campaign that made Glasgow smile
itison has confirmed that GlasGLOW will return to the Botanic Gardens from 24th October – 2nd November for its eighth year and with its biggest show yet... GlasGLOW's Miles Better!
READ MORE
Historic Environment Scotland launches Talking About Heritage
People across Scotland invited to take part in national conversation about heritage.
READ MORE
Tickets now on sale for The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo closes the drawbridge on its 75th anniversary Show, as tickets for next year go on sale.
READ MORE
Beat the Street is returning to Renfrewshire
An interactive game encouraging people of all ages to get active and explore their local surroundings is set to return to towns and villages across Renfrewshire this autumn.
READ MORE
Momentum builds at Braehead with surge in sales, footfall and leasing
SGS UK Retail has announced that Braehead Shopping Centre is going from strength to strength, headlining outstanding sales and footfall growth for the year to date.
READ MORE
Primark celebrates 50 years in Scotland with a wee nod to loyal Scots in all stores today
Scottish shoppers will hardly believe it when they see it today as Primark finally relents on one of its biggest brand debates after 50 years.
READ MORE
Christmas at Crieff Hydro returns with magical line up of festive activities
Scotland's best loved family resort, Crieff Hydro, has unveiled details of a specially curated programme of events as it prepares to welcome guests over the festive period.
READ MORE
Scots Language Awards 2025 shortlist unveiled
The shortlist for the Scots Language Awards 2025 has been unveiled, with figures from Scottish literature, theatre, education and business all in the running for awards at the annual ceremony.
READ MORE
Innis & Gunn wins double gold at the World Beer Awards 2025
Innis & Gunn has claimed double gold on the global stage, winning best in Scotland for the second year running at the World Beer Awards.
READ MORE
Home town hero Callum Hawkins wins record breaking Paisley 10k
More than 5,500 people have taken part in the Paisley 10k and 3k Fun Run, setting a new record for the event.
READ MORE
Santa Claus is coming to Dobbies
From exciting encounters with Santa himself to hands-on workshops and joyful family moments, Dobbies is the destination for festive fun this Christmas!
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links